Sports
Coach: Strongest, Fastest De Smet Jesuit Football Team Ever
The Creve Coeur school will need to cope with losing star offensive tackle Andy Bauer to injury.
When a powerful Blue Springs team that would go on to capture the Class 6 state football title last season ended De Smet Jesuit's season one game short of a ride downtown to the Edward Jones Dome, the postgame analysis for Spartan Head Coach Pat Mahoney was relatively simple. De Smet Jesuit lost the game in the weight room.
Nine months later, seated in his school's locker room a few feet away from his own weight room as his team began official fall camp on Monday, Mahoney said his players had taken the lesson to heart.
"With what happened at the end of the season against a team that was obviously more physical, stronger than we were, I think more importantly the focus from the kids’ point of view changed and as a result this year, I think we will have the strongest, fastest team that De Smet’s ever fielded," he said.
Part of that strength will be tested. Not long after that interview Monday, Mahoney learned that starting right tackle Andy Bauer, the state's top recruit in the senior class, will be lost for the season, thanks to hip labrum surgery.
A key ingredient for this team on offense will be Senior running back Marcus Jester, who came on in a big way last season when an injury felled Latif Adams. Mahoney said Jester, who just gave a verbal pledge to play college football at Illinois State, has shaved a half second off his 40 time, has his body fat down and has kept his weight up. Proving he can play through injuries will be key for Jester, who spent much of last season hobbled by ankle injuries. Mahoney said Jester will also see time at linebacker.
Back on the offensive line, the Spartans lost not just one Bauer, but two. Robbie Bauer, expected to play as a junior, was told by doctors his career was over after suffering a concussion in summer football camp. Lineman Mitch Palmer returns for his senior campaign, having verbally committed to Miami (OH).
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The line will be protecting a new quarterback. Senior Scott Sinovich takes over behind center for the graduated Conner Harrison.
The Spartans open the season by hosting Columbia Rock Bridge August 30. The schedule includes the traditional Metro Catholic Conference rivals, with some new juice added to the league with Paul Day taking over at Vianney and Antoine Torrey in charge at Chaminade.
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Mahoney said Day will bring a different attitude and discipline to Griffins and Torrey, who he remembered from Torrey's time at Normandy, is someone "who tries to do things the right way."
The slogan for this years' De Smet Jesuit club is "Only The Family", which is why you'll see Tweets online with the hashtag #OTF. Mahoney said he's seen his team grow since late last season when the team overcame a separated culture."I judge things on our growth as individuals, our growth as a team, our growth as citizens and I’ve seen a lot of growth from last year," Mahoney said. "Can we compete for the state championship? Absolutely. Is that our goal? Absolutely. Is that the determining factor on our success? No, not in my mind."
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