“Prep Has Nobody.”
That is the motto set by varsity football coach Tim Johnk for this season. This year the Jr. Jays varsity football team has boasts an impressive 4-0 record. While being ranked in Max Preps top 10 in every week besides the first, they have exceeded many people’s expectations.
In the first week the Jr. Jays played the De Smet Spartans, the defending Missouri Class 6 state champions. The Spartans came in after destroying the Prep a year ago 48-7. This year the Spartans still have many of their core players including Michigan commit DE Titan Davis.
On De Smet’s first drive of the game, De Smet quarterback Gabe Robriguez has to roll out the pressure and to throw the ball away right but it is picked off by linebacker Henry Troshynski and he runs it back to the endzone for the first touchdown of the season. As the game goes on running back Angelo Walker shows his dominance by having an impressive 172 yards and 2 touchdowns and with Nico Kocmich late game winning interception the Junior Jays beat the Spartans 42-35.
In Week 2, the Junior Jays took on the Burke Bulldogs. This was the Preps first big blowout of the season, beating the Bulldogs 42-0. Walker again showed his speed, having 130 all-purpose yards and 2 touchdowns against the Bulldogs. The bright spot of this game was Prep’s defense holding Burke’s quarterback, Jasiah Summerfield, to only 87 passing yards throughout the game. Prep’s defense picked off Summerfield 3 times during the game.
In the third week of the season, the Junior Jays took the bus ride down to the ninth ranked Lincoln Southeast. This game was highlighted by Prep’s ability to defend the run. The defense held the Knights to only 40 rushing yards total, but the Junior Jays let junior quarterback Gavin Semm throw for 144 yards. Prep’s team rushing was the key to winning this game. The team had 205 rushing yards with Walker having another 100+ yard game. The star of the game was Kocmich again. The junior safety and punt returner had a punt return touchdown and a pick six to lead the Junior Jays to a 31-10 victory over the Knights.
Last week the team played the Millard West Wildcats. The Wildcats came into this game 1-2 and only lost to the two best teams in the State in Millard South and Westside. This was a tough game for the Junior Jays but Walker shined again, having 117 yards and Prep’s only two touchdowns. Their defense was dominant again against the Wildcats allowing only 14 yards on 15 carries but allowed 124 passing yards to the Wildcat offense. Prep put on another defensive performance to win 14-7 against the Wildcats to put them at 4-0.
The Junior Jays have a hard schedule for the back half of their season. Next game is against the Papillion-LaVista Monarchs who have only lost to their rival Papillion-LaVista South. They are coming off a huge 47-7 win against the winless Bellevue East. What will determine this game for the Junior Jays is the passing defense. Monarch quarterback Rj Vitera is boasting an impressive 165.8 yards per game through the air this season and that has been somewhat of a weak spot for the Junior Jay defense. This game will be the first district game of the season and will be a huge factor in how things shake out for the playoffs.
Prep’s first half of the season has been a tremendous success whether that be the upset against De Smet or taking care of teams where they were expected to win. Their biggest strength has been the defense. Players like Micheal Novero and Kocmich who, as juniors, are having breakout years. Other players like Jake Brock, who is playing both sides as a center and defensive tackle, and Vincent Sall who have been big guys on the team for years now continue leading this team. The reason that the team has won so many games is because of Walker. The senior has averaged 129.8 yards per game this season and has put up 8 touchdowns, more than any other player on the team combined. The team is looking forward to the back half of the season including the big games against Central and Westside.
