Pope John Paul II’s Michael Calogne caught what turned out to be the winning touchdown pass from quarterback Clyde Perkins with about eight-minutes left in a 20-17-opening-night victory over St. Patrick Fighting Irish of Biloxi, Miss. on the road Friday.

In a see-saw battle that was scoreless after the first quarter, Greg Cavalier got the Jaguars on the board with a 17-yard run on his only carry. Teddy Macke’s extra point was good and it was 7-0.

The Fighting Irish (0-2) tallied the half’s final 10 points and took a 10-7-advantage to the halftime-locker room.

Michael Calogne

In the third quarter, Kyle Canulette, who ran 15 times for 52 yards put PJP back on top with a two-yard touchdown run. The PAT was blocked, keeping it at 13-10.

St. Patrick went back ahead 17-13, but with approximately eight-minutes remaining, Perkins found Calogne from nine-yards out. Macke’s extra point made it 20-17.

The score was set up by Evan Lebat, who made an interception after he knocked the ball away, and caught it, while falling down.

Quinn Fiore led the Jaguars’ rushing attack with 21 carries for 100 yards. Perkins ran five times for 67.

Defensively, coach Mark Jeanmard said inside linebackers Austin Fairchild and Cameron Dean played well. Calogne also intercepted a pass.

Jeanmard said it was a good team effort and said his club had a balanced-rushing attack.

“The quarterbacks did a good job of checking to the right call,” Jeanmard said. “The lead changed hands several times, but our guys never gave up.”

The coach said it was nice to be in a game like this.

“We have some new starters, who handled adversity very well,” Jeanmard said.

Pope John Paul II plays their first home game of 2010 Friday against St. John.