The Hive Sports

by James Tate

The much-anticipated kickoff to the St. Joseph Jayhawks football season happened on Friday, August 18, 2023. The Jayhawks, for the first time, fielded a football team. They played a challenging game against the Monticello Buckaroo. These teams are part of Utah’s 8-man football region.

The game’s final score was 54-7 and a victory for the Buckaroo. The Jayhawks wearing all-green uniforms would also claim a win as they competed and saw a community come out and cheer on their new football team. The outcome did not end in the Jayhawk’s favor, but they gained the respect of many in how they represented the school and community.

The journey begins

This inaugural season started with discussions by the St. Joseph High School staff and board about bringing football to the Jayhawk students and community. Principal Clay Jones, athletic direct Cindy White and the school board and staff do a great job of supporting the students at St. Joseph Catholic High School.

Hiring head coach Jeramy Hunt-Loveless was the first part of fielding a coaching staff. Hunt-Loveless then brought on board Terrance Pohl and Roderick Richards II as assistant coaches for the Jayhawk program. Pohl’s experience designing plays and running an offense enables the Jayhawks to compete immediately in the eight-man region.

Hunt-Loveless shares that he loves bringing football to the school and having the community embrace the team. A true expansion program, Hunt-Loveless and his staff welcome all students to the team even though they may have never played a football. He can then coach them to understand football plays, terminology, and the physicality that comes with it. St. Joseph believes that their students are not limited to participation in just one sport but encourage multi-sport activities.

First game

St. Joseph Jayhawk football saw a great turnout for the first game in school history with a great student section and cheering fans. Free t-shirts were given out to the first 150 fans and student entry is always free. The game was streamed on you tube and had a great team call the action.

The Jayhawks, comprised mostly of underclassmen this season, will look to senior Roderick Richards III as its playmaker and leader. Richards III transferred from Fremont High School, where he played football and starred on the track team. An extremely talented player Richards III will play running back, cornerback and be the kick returner for the Jayhawks.

Starting at quarterback will be freshman Jacob Scehnet. Scehnet has the mobility to get outside the pocket and pick up yards with his legs and make passes downfield. Junior Daniel Fontes will be the wild card player for the Jayhawks. Fontes is the kicker and punter and could line up at any position on the field. He will use his athletic talents to give the Jayhawks a dynamic player maker.

Fontes is an All-State soccer player and won the 2A Deseret News Player of the Year as a freshman and sophomore. During the Jayhawk’s first game, Fontes became the first player to score a touchdown in school history. Fontes run of 89 yards was the most exciting moment of the game for the Jayhawks and they will carry the momentum of that play into the remainder of the season.

The future

With the first game down, the team will learn how to compete each week, film study, and heal from the previous game. A great training staff led my Kayla Morris is on hand that will help educate the players on taking care of their bodies during a football season.

The current team roster comprises ten freshmen, one sophomore, two juniors, and one senior. The most important lesson the team learned from week one was how they encouraged and supported each other and were good teammates. Playing for each other, the coaches, and their community will bode well for this young team, and the Jayhawks will soar to new heights for years.

Outstanding performances

During the Jayhawk’s first game, Fontes and Richards III stood out as the playmakers. Sophomore center Marshell Pohl will grow into a leader on the offensive line. Other linemen to watch this season will be freshmen Jesse Benson, Ignacio Olvera, Monroe Torre, Angel Castaneda and junior Kai Zhuang.

Schenet will develop confidence and chemistry with receivers Fontes and freshman Nikko Altmyer. The Jayhawk players will play offense, defense and special teams. They will develop an understanding of each position that will help them as they play each game.

Skill position players include Landon Leckington, Korbyn Morrisey, Martin Garcia and Danny Lee will be looked at to make plays on offense and defense.

The Jayhawk’s next game will be on September 1, 2023, at home against Watersprings (ID) at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time.

photo courtesy of James Tate