In each round, the 5 players removed a total of 5 * 1 = <<5*1=5>>5 blocks.
In the 5 rounds played, the players removed a total of 5 * 5 = <<5*5=25>>25 blocks.
Adding the block removed by Jess's father in the sixth round, a total of 25 + 1 = <<25+1=26>>26 blocks were removed.
Before the tower fell, there were 54 - 26 = <<54-26=28>>28 blocks.
#### 28