THE BEAR FACTS

Bear Facts

VOLUME 22, NO. 1

bruin bites

ST. JOE WELCOMES BROTHER DROEL

|

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2018

the

|

SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL

|

MADISON, MISSISSIPPI

Bond-ing after huge win

Robert Droel returns to St. Joseph Catholic School this year after spending a year preparing for his vows as a BROTHER Christian Brother.

DROEL Droel originally taught eighth-grade religion during the 2015-2016 and the 2016-2017 school years.

PAGE 3

BISHOP KOPACZ TO CELEBRATE MASS Bishop Joseph Kopacz will be on campus on Thursday, Aug. 30, to mark the start of the new school year and celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit. Mass will begin at 9:50 a.m. that day in the Fine Arts theater. Dress uniform is required.

sports

BRUIN SWIMMERS EYE SUCCESS

The Bruin girls’ swim team is eyeing their fourth state championship in a row while the boys’ team looks for its first state championships in three years. Practice is already underway. The team’s first meet was Thursday.

PAGE 6

FOOTBALL TEAM’S NEW LEADERS

As the St. Joe Bruin football team goes into full swing this week with the hoe opener agauinst TriStar Academy, the team has turned to new on-field leadership.

Joe Pearson takes a closer look at team leaders PAGE 6 Bruin volleyball hopes to build on success from 2017 as the team looks ahead to another successful year.

PAGE 6

inside n News: Pages 1, 3, 4 n Opinion: Page 2 n Sports: Pages 5, 6

Photo by Sydney Shoemaker/The Bear Facts Coach John Bond celebrates with his players following a 35-22 win on the road Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, over the Newton Tigers to open the 2018 football season. The Bruins have their first home game of the season At 7 tonight against the Tri-County Academy Rebels

Former Mississippi State star quarterback wins first game as head coach at St. Joseph in road game at Newton

L

Story by Joe Pearson

egendary words from MORE Mississippi State n Young team looks football announcer for leaders, Jack Cristil enshrined John Bond to eternal PAGE 6 college football fame. n Listen to and watch It was Saturday, Nov. 1, games live 1980. Alabama, the two-time n Team photo and roster, defending national champion, Photo by Sydney Shoemaker/The Bear Facts Junior John Phillip Beard receives a handoff from senior quarterback PAGE 5 entered the game ranked No. Daniel Clarke in the Aug. 10 jamboree game against Leake County.

1. And the Bulldogs, led by It was every football players’ dream. And quarterback Bond, snagged the upset.

Bond lived it.

“The game’s over, the Bulldogs win 6-3,” Cristil said at the end of his radio broadcast of Flash-forward almost 38 years later. what many people consider the biggest win in Instead of being under center and taking the snap, Bond paced the sidelines Friday night Mississippi State football history. “Alabama goes down in defeat to Mississippi State 6-3.”

See COACH BOND, Page 5

Middle school swaps laptops for tablets

By BIANCA MCCARTY The Bear Facts With every new school year comes new technology available for students and teachers.

Recent changes have been made to the way St. Joe uses technology.

Teachers will receive new MacBook Airs. The computers are essentially the same as their old computers, but they have a larger screen.

Middle school students, Grades 7 and 8, will receive Apple iPads this year rather than MacBook Airs they used last year.

Mrs. Melissa Hall, the technology director at St., Joe, said that iPads

“can do most everything a MacBook can at a substantially lower cost.”

“The devices are smaller and easier to carry,” she said. “Teachers have the capability to manage the student devices during instruction time.”

The school is near the end of its MacBook Air lease, she said, so it was time to rethink classroom technology. iPads are simply more budget friendly and convenient. Apps can be downloaded and off-loaded to a large group of students or just a select few. Teachers can also monitor their students’ iPad screens with special software.

“Teachers can guide students

through a lesson, see their progress, and keep them on track,” Mrs. Hall said..

Cart laptops will still be available for classroom use, but middle school teachers said they plan to use the new resources iPads make available.

Mrs. Suzanne Antonaros, the seventh-grade math teacher, thinks iPads will be more user-friendly for students who are already accustomed to touch-screens. Many applications she uses in class, including Minecraft and Geogebra, are easier to use with a touch screen.

“I’m really excited to use some of the new apps I’ve found over my summer research. There are so

many great apps and websites that will be great additions to my curriculum,” Mrs. Antonaros said.

Mrs. Antonaros is also a certified Apple teacher. This means that she completed the training Apple offers for their tools, so she can use them to their full potential in the classroom.

She is working on becoming a certified Google teacher.

“Technology does pose some problems, but it also provides so much access to information and alternative paths of learning that we can’t ignore it,” Principal Dena Kinsey said.

“Technology is the future,” she said.

New editors take over student media for 2018-2019 school year from staff reports Seniors Kaycee Jackson, Marshall Runnels and Byron Poindexter, along with juniors John Baladi and Joseph Pearson, will serve as this year’s leadership team overseeing St. Joseph Catholic School student media.

The student media leaders will head the state’s best high school journalism program – one that has won statewide and national awards for broadcast and print news efforts.

“We have cluding Broadthe best, most cast and Print dedicated Journalism. student jourMr. Cassrenalists in the ino himself is entire state,” a former longsaid Mr. Terry time journalist KAYCEE MARSHALL BYRON JOSEPH R. Cassreino, JOHN who joined the JACKSON RUNNELS POINDEXTER PEARSON BALADI St. Joe’s jourSt. Joe staff in nalism teacher and student me2011. to continue to work hard this year dia adviser.

Runnels will serve as news direcas we take our program to the next “I have worked with some of these level.” tor of Bruin News Now, which has students since the eighth grade,” Mr. Cassreino teaches several been named the No. 1 high school Mr. Cassreino said. “I expect them high school journalism classes in- newscast for two straight years by

the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association.

Poindexter will be the Bruin Broadcasting Network technical director, supervising all technical aspects of live streaming webcasts of sporting events including football and basketball. He also will supervise editing of the weekly BNN newscast.

Jackson will enter her second year as editor-in-chief of The Shield, See EDITORS, Page 3

Opinion

PAGE 2

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2018

The difficulties of change

C

hange is such an intricate part of the human condition that you would think people would be able to better cope with an everchanging environment.

Unfortunately, that isn’t the case.

Sometimes, change is difficult. In fact, we often stumble through the unfamiliar like a JOE toddler learning to walk.

PEARSON editor Sometimes at first glance, there seems to be little improvement as a result of change.

Sometimes, it seems few people benefit from a situation. It’s then when people ask: “Why can’t it just be the old way?”

But, with something new comes a new perspective and a new outlook. If we didn’t embrace changes in place at St. Joseph this year, we would have missed out on so many of

“

Change brings with it new opportunities and a fresh start.

We have a chance to work with new people and learn from new experiences.”

the great things we already have experienced.

Certainly, we will never forget the people and events that changed our lives so much in the past. They helped us grow as individuals and helped us shape our future. We forever will be indebted to them for their contribution.

But as important as those events and people may have been in our lives, we are still faced with the reality that it now resides in the past.

So, what do we do now?

Well, we pick up and continue forward or be swept away by the whirlwind of change. Change brings with it new opportunities and a fresh start. We have a chance to work with new people and learn from new experiences.

Just ask any of our new teachers and coaches, all of whom are happy to be a vital part of our school community.

“Coming to St. Joe has been fun,” said Ms. Jordan Bauer, St. Joe’s new Latin and French teacher. “It’s definitely been great. This is a wonderful place, and everyone is so welcoming.”

In the end, it’s simple.

Change is a prerequisite for an improved future. More often than not, the flip side of change is a brighter future than any of us ever could have previously imagined.

At St. Joseph Catholic School, we begin this year, the 2018-2019 school year, anew. We have ushered in a new school year with new teachers, new coaches, new classes, a new outlook and a new commitment to do our best.

H

ere we are at the beginning of the school year.

As summer vacations and days at the beach come to an end, we have to again gather our backpack and school supplies and embark on another year in the classroom.

Some may approach the new year with trepidation or anxiety. However, once a new school year comes, so does a chance for something new.

Before us is a great opportunity for a great year. At the dawn of this new school year, we have a chance to start anew. We have new teachers, new students and new friends to be made.

A new year brings a chance to try new electives, new sports or a new club at school.

The past year has come and gone along with whatever bad that accompanied it. There is an infinite number of opportunities, if only you will get up and seize them.

Take the initiative this year and be proactive. Take full advantage of a fresh start. Don’t let an experience pass you by.

St. Joe has an environment conducive to growing, whether that be spiritually, academically or socially.

In the upcoming year, you will undoubtedly experience new things and make new friends.

The time will pass much more quickly than you think. The next thing you know, you will be on a graduation stage receiving your diploma.

That being said, savor this time. Take full advantage of whatever lies ahead.

The things you learn this year will prepare you for the subsequent year, which will prepare you for life out in the real world.

The skills and information you learn will lead to success beyond the campus of St. Joe. So yes, a new school year is here. But don’t fret. Focus on all the things you can accomplish this year.

BEAR FACTS The

Joe Pearson Editor

n

Bianca McCarty Assistant Editor

Terry R. Cassreino, Faculty Adviser Dena Kinsey, Principal

Indeed, there always is a brighter future for those willing to make it for themselves. Good luck and have a great year.

Joe Pearson, a junior and an award-winning high school columnist, is editor of The Bear Facts.

Dreading the new school year

Our view

A new year, a new start

Photo by Sydney Shoemaker/The Bear Facts Change has brought several new teachers to St. Joe – including Ms. Jordan Bauer, who teaches Latin and French.

I

was the kid who smelled school supplies.

It’s understandable, though no less weird, given my history. I’ve relished the idea of school since I could grasp the concept of such a place. Before the start of every school year, my mother BIANCA would begrudgingly take me school-supply MCCARTY shopping. I’d bounce through the Walmart assistant aisles of notebooks and pencils, pausing to editor admire a particularly beautiful Lisa Frank spiral, then moving on. My mom would always grumble that there was a service for school supplies at Madison Station and there was no point in spending a whole half hour at the Walmart – her most hated place on earth.

Despite the fact that it grows more difficult as you get older, I have still managed to maintain most of the love for school I held even as a small child. I still like paper products, at the very least.

Purchasing a pack of four colored sticky notes brought me an unreasonable amount of joy a mere two weeks ago.

I acknowledge that I’ve been very lucky that school comes easy to me while it doesn’t for some people. I’ve never had to struggle through mountains of homework every night.

I’ve never been bullied by a classmate. And I’ve never had to suffer the consequences of procrastination (that’s what planners are for, people). In all honesty, the past 10 years of

“

I acknowledge that I’ve been very lucky that school comes easy to me while it doesn’t for some people.”

S

“

It’s all right to take a break, because sometimes we need a break.

But procrastination ruins the end of summer.” education have been easy for me. I’m good at it. It’s just how my brain is built.

But going into my sophomore year, I experienced a strange emotion regarding the end of summer.

Dread.

For the first time in my life, I was dreading school. This was because of two very common problems uncommon to me: Procrastination and exhaustion.

That’s right, I procrastinated. I’d chosen to take two online courses this past summer (health and PE) as well as the usual summer reading and not to mention an AP Biology packet.

Two weeks from school, only one of these things had been completed.

I was tired at the beginning of June. I hate to admit it, freshman year took a toll on me. I couldn’t bring myself to do any sort of work, much less school work. So I put it off, barely even thinking about how close August was, which caused my end-of-July-self a lot of stress.

I suppose the moral of this story is this: It’s all right to take a break because sometimes we need a break. But procrastination ruins the end of summer.

Also, school isn’t always going to be fun. But if you’re lucky enough to like even the smallest part of it, focus on that one thing and keep on keeping on.

Bianca McCarty, a sophomore, is assistant editor of The Bear Facts.

School work ruins the summer

ummer is not long enough.

If you talk to enough students, the majority will agree.

We, as students, leave school at the end of May. We leave school excited to not have assignments, tests and projects.

While leaving school, we assume that we LEAH will have more time to do whatever we want CLARK in the summer. assignments editor That is partially true, if you are like me.

I started the summer with nothing to do.

I felt I had all the time in the world. That was until June started. I found myself realizing that I anticipated the summer so much to the point that I over-packed my summer.

Many students over-pack their summers just like me.

They get caught up in the thought of freedom from school.

However, not all the busy summer work is the fault of students.

School is responsible for this, as well.

One way that they do this is by giving students assignments during the summer. Granted the assignments are usually for AP classes, but they take away from the freedom that the students have just received.

Students leave school just do more school work. This

“

I started the summer with nothing to do. I felt I had all the time in the world. That was until June started.”

The Bear Facts is a proud member of the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.

“

While I am grateful for being able to go to school, I would rather not worry about school when I am not even in a classroom.”

does not even include the summer reading books that every student is assigned.

Another way that the school over-packs students’ summers are by sport practices. Many students are in some type of extracurricular activity.

If the student is in a fall sport, then they practice during the summer. This causes student to go back to the school just to prepare for the upcoming school year.

Students are under pressure 1 months out of the year. They have to do homework, tests, and projects. Two months out of the year, we are given freedom from school. During that time, our freedom is tainted with schoolwork and extracurricular activities.

Summer is a time to relax, have fun and hang out with friends. While I am grateful for being able to go to school, I would rather not worry about school when I am not even in a classroom.

Leah Clark, a sophomore, is assignments editor of The Bear Facts.

The Bear Facts, the official student newspaper of St. Joseph Catholic School, is published six to eight times each the school year. All stories and photographs are copyright 2018 by The Bear Facts and St. Joseph Catholic School.

Reproduction and unauthorized use of any article, photograph or graphic is prohibited without written consent. Contact The Bear Facts, P.O. Box 2027, Madison, MS 39130-2927.

Opinions expressed on this page belong solely to the author of authors and do not necessarily represent the beliefs and opinions of the staff of The Bear Facts; the staff, leadership and administration of St. Joseph Catholic School; or the staff, leadership and administration of the Catholic Diocese of Jackson.

Bruin News

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2018

PAGE 3

Bruins welcome new group of teachers

By MARY GRACE STEWART The Bear Facts As the 2018-2019 school year begins, St. Joe students are not the only ones ready for the new year.

Mary Hannah Skelton joined the staff this year to teach ninth grade English teacher and theater.

Skelton, originally from Georgia, graduated from the University of Mississippi and met many people from Jackson – which is what drew her to the area.

Along with Skelton, the St. Joe family welcomed 13 new faculty members teaching everything from Latin to science.

Skelton said she has heard great things about St. Joe and “jumped at the opportunity to be apart of the Bruin family.”

Susie Odom, an English teacher at St. Joe, oversees new faculty, prepares them for the school year and assigns a mentor teacher to each of them.

These mentor teachers inform the new teacher of specific, day-to-day procedures such as where to sit during weekly Mass.

Odom said she expects these teachers to bring good energy to St. Joe. “I think we’ve got a great group this year because we’ve got a whole different mix. We have some that are brand new to teaching, so they’re really excited about teaching. And we have some that have been teaching for

a long time,” she said.

Teaching Latin and French, Ms. Jordan Bauer is also excited for her first year as a teacher. Bauer has known the journalism teacher Terry Cassreino for a long time and always heard good things from him about teaching at St. Joe. “When I heard that there would be a Latin position available, It seemed like a good idea to apply,” Bauer said.

Bauer attributes her passion for teaching to the educators she has had in her past; she is aware of the challenges of teaching. However, she is ready to face the obstacles and make her first teaching year successful.

Challenges come with every teaching job, but Skelton is looking forward to prioritizing every important task she has at St. Joe. “Between demanding rehearsal schedules and maintaining productive theatre and English classrooms, there is going to be a lot on my plate.

However, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to dedicate my time to each department,” she said.

In addition to teaching, Skelton will direct this year’s fall play and spring musical. She said directing these shows is what she is most excited about.

Every teacher beginning their time at St. Joe has something different to offer, and each one has been chosen for their unique attributions they are willing to share with St. Joe. Students and teachers alike are eager to see

Photo by Clay Blanchard/The Bear Facts Ms. Mary Hannah Skelton, the new theater teacher at St. Joe.

what the new faculty members bring to the school.

New teachers are: Bauer, Latin and French; John Bond head football coach; Julianne James, dyslexia therapist; Pam Kinsey, middle school art;

Melissa Munoz, seventh grade English; Jenna Murphy, ninth grade history; Bryce Randall, world history and Honors US History and coach (track and football); Skelton, ninth grade English and theater; Diane Waldon,

chemistry (AP and honors); Daniel Walker, physics (AP and honors); Constance Washington, Human A&P and chemistry; Shari White, eighth grade history; and Mark Wilson, world literature.

Robert Droel takes vows, returns to St. Joe LEAH CLARK The Bear Facts Brother Robert Droel is returning to St. Joe this school year after leaving to become a Christian Brother.

Brother Rob was in high school when he was first drawn to be a Christian Brother. Growing up, he went to a high school where he had brothers as teachers.

“They were role models for me – not because they were perfect, but because they were able to be themselves,” he said. “And I sensed a joy in the way they lived.”

After becoming curious of their lifestyle, Brother Rob met more Christian Brothers, who helped him understand his calling to God. He found that many of the Brothers’ stories inspired him and he soon found his vocation.

Brother Rob left teaching eighth graders at St. Joe to begin his process of be-

coming a Christian Brother. He spent a year in Chicago training as a novice under another Brother. He trained in what he called a “year-long retreat,” where he learned about community, prayer, ministry and vows.

During his year, Brother Rob spent his time helping at soup kitchens and tutoring. He even spent a week in Peru to meet with fellow Christian Brothers.

On July 28, 2018, Brother Rob made his first vows as officially being a part of the Congregation of Christian Brothers. He is the youngest member of the Brothers’ North American Province. The Congregation, which was founded by Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice in 1802, describes this vocation as “a unique gift mysteriously given by a loving God to some men in our Church.”

Brother Rob will teach theology and STEM at St. Joe. However, he is not the only person to accept God’s calling and

SWIM , from page 6 Coach Collins began coaching the swim team in 2007 with 19 swimmers. This year, the team has 51 members. She also coaches at the summer league team at the Lakeland University of Wellness Center.

Collins trains with each member individually and makes an effort to point out and acknowledge how each student is improving. She praises improvement and cheers when swimmers work hard. Collins also teaches them how beating ones own time is the ultimate goal.

“Coach Collins has definitely helped me by working with me one-on-one while on the swim team,” eighth-grader Catherine Amy said. “It has helped me improve on my swimming and on my sense of sportsmanship.”

Collins welcomes anyone to the swim team. She is more than happy to train swimmers with very little experience to become excellent competitors.

“Allowing anyone who wants to swim join the team has made

EDITORS, from page 1 St. Joe’s award-winning yearbook. Jackson will be assisted once again by junior Anna Chris Nicholas.

Pearson will serve as editor-in-chief of The Bear Facts, which last year was named one of the top 50 high school newspapers in the nation by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association at Columbia University in New York. Pearson also will continue his role as an award-winning columnist for the paper.

And Baladi will serve as Bruin Broadcasting Network director, overseeing live streaming video webcasts and live radio broadcasts of all St. Joe sporting events.

Bruin fans can watch football games live on Bruin Streaming TV, www.stjoebruins.live. They also can listen live on WJXC Jackson, Mississippi Catholic Radio, 1087.9 FM. Baladi will serve as the Voice of the Bruins, the play-byplay announcer for all home-and-away live varsity football games on Bruin Streaming TV and WJXC. Baladi will be joined in the broadcast booth by expert analysts Runnels and sophomore Jack Clements. Runnels and Clements also plan to alternate as live video sideline reporters for football games.

“Our staff is dedicated and hard-working,” Runnels said.

“We will not rest on past accomplishments. We will do whatever we can to make a great high school media program even better.”

“

Our staff is dedicated and hard-working.”

-Marshall Runnels, BNN News Director

“

be a faculty member at St. Joe. Priests, brothers and sisters have been a part of St. Joe family since the school’s beginning.

“They are a great example of the attention that all of us should put toward the Lord.” Mrs. Dena Kinsey, St. Joe’s principal, said.

Brother Rob is glad to be back at St. Joe, saying that he had a rough time during his year away.

“I had gotten attached to the school and all the activities which teaching involved.” He missed volunteering at school events, such as football games.

Even though the journey to become a Christian Brother was long and hard, Brother Rob is now excited to start his new life.

“It’s a lifelong process of growth and maturation,” he said. “And even though I’m now Brother Rob, I’m not done – but Brother Bob Droel only just beginning.”

I hope that the girls will win state again although it will be a challenge because a few really good swimmers left the team last year.”

-Elizabeth Weisenberger, sophomore swimmer

our team camaraderie amazing,” Collins said. “Teammates sustain our success because our definition of success is not just to win a championship. Our successes include learning to swim, finishing the longest race, losing excess weight to be healthier and swimming faster each week.”

Practice began July 31. Every morning at 5:30, the team heads over to the University Wellness Center pool. They first begin with a few warm-up laps and then carry on with practice.

Photo by Sydney Shoemaker/The Bear Facts

Every Friday, they do exercises on land before getting in the water.

Even though twinning the state championship for three years is a huge accomplishment, the girls are still aiming to continue in their victories and are looking forward to a successful season.

“I hope that the girls will win state again, although it will be a challenge because a few really good swimmers left the team last year,” sophomore swimmer Elizabeth Weisenberger said.

“I also hope that we have more people make it to State and that everyone improves and that we have an amazing season,” she said.

According to Collins, she works hard so swimmers enjoy being on the team. The team has strong swimmers who set good examples for new swimmers.

Because they have many swimmers who only train during high school season, they use their size to help them.

“We can score many points from fourths, fifths and sixth places,” Collins added. “I love when we win because of our depth.”

FOR THE LATEST IN ST. JOE NEWS AND SPORTS, DON’T MISS

EVERY FRIDAY ON THE BRUIN NEWS NOW YOUTUBE CHANNEL

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2018

Back to School

PAGE 4

Bruins mark start of a new school year

Left: St. Joe students stand outside St. Anthony Catholic School where they greeted elementary students Friday, Aug. 10. Back row from left: Grayson Foley, Sydni Vandevender, Tramia Rogers, Olivia Osborne, Daniel Clarke, Douglas Watson, Patton Beard, Stephen Wolf.

Front row: Chyna Mannery, Emma Beebe, Lily Burgess and Celeste Hall. Photo by Sydney Shoemaker/The Bear Facts Second row left: Deasia Evans. Photo Harper Evers/The Bear Facts Second row right: Jason Green, left, and Tyler Brown greet students outside Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School on Friday, Aug. 10.

Third row left: St. Joe Spirit Steppers perform during the Meet the Bruins event at Bill Raphael Field on Thursday, Aug. 9. Photo Sydney Blake/ The Bear Facts Third row middle: Elton Vandevender talks with Mrs. Anna Scott, the St. Joe Spanish teacher. Photo Harper Evers/The Bear Facts Below: Celeste Hall and Stephen Wolf outside St. Anthony Catholic School on Friday, Aug. 10.

Photo by Sydney Shoemaker/The Bear Facts

Above: Coach Bryce Randall teaches world history. Photo Harper Evers/The Bear Facts Far left: Breeze Johns in class.

Photo by Victoria Nguyen/The Bear Facts Immediate left: Mr. Mark Wilson works with Robert Nguyen in English class. Photo Harper Evers/The Bear Facts

Bruin Sports

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2018

PAGE 5

Bruin Broadcasting airs football live from staff reports Bruin Broadcasting Network will webcast and broadcast St. Joseph Catholic School varsity football this year starting with the season opening game tonight.

Live coverage starts at 6:45 p.m. tonight on Bruin Streaming Television, available at www.stjoebruins. live. You also will be able to follow the action live on Bruin Sports Radio, airing exclusively on WJXC Jackson, Mississippi Catholic Radio, 107.9 FM. “The best part about it is that everything is staffed, hosted and produced 100 percent by a talented group of high school journalism students,” Principal Dena Kinsey said.

“They have done this since 2013, and they get better and better every year.”

Bruin Broadcasting Network includes Bruin Streaming TV and Bruin Sports Radio. BBN is headed by

“

The best part about it is that everything is staffed, hosted and produced 100 percent by high school journalism students.”

– Dena Kinsey, principal a team of eight students in St. Joe’s award-winning high school journalism program.

This marks the second year journalism students will video stream all home-and-away games live on the Internet. It also marks the sixth year

COACH BOND, from page 1 Aug. 17, as his St. Joe Bruins defeated the Newton Tigers to open the 2018 high school football season.

Like the Alabama game, few people gave Bond and his team a chance to win. After all, Newton man-handled the Bruins the year before in Madison, winning 68-15 in the Bruins’ home opener.

But Bond knew the Bruins had a shot this year.

FIRST-YEAR HEAD COACH John Bond is in his first year as head coach of the St. Joseph Bruins. He inherited a team that at first looked iffy with roughly 20 players. Morale was down. Some players didn’t know what to think.

Some players, like some students at school, knew little about Bond’s background.

From 1980-1983, Bond was the king of the college football universe. His heroics in the Alabama game launched him into college football folklore.

Bond ran Coach Emory Bellard’s patented wishbone offense to near perfection. Bond alone accounted for 94 of the team’s 216 yards rushing that day, out-gaining the Tide’s 116 yards from the ground game.

But the Starkville native’s road to college football success was an unlikely one.

Sports was always a part of Bond’s life. He grew up next to the head basketball coach at Mississippi State. Bond’s father was dean of students at Mississippi State. And John was always around the State sports scene.

At age 10, Bond and his family moved to Valdosta, Ga., where he excelled at Valdosta High School. The tall, skinny kid much preferred a basketball hoop to a football helmet.

“Basketball was definitely my first love,” he said.

students will broadcast games live over the radio.

St. Joseph Catholic School is one of the few high schools in Mississippi in which students – and not adults – produce and host a live streaming video sports production as well as live programming on a broadcast radio station.

The sports programming is just one part of the school’s journalism program.

High school journalists also publish a school yearbook every fall, The Shield; publish a student newspaper six to eight times a year, The Bear Facts; and produce a weekly newscast available every Friday on YouTube, Bruin News Now. Football broadcasts will be led by junior John Baladi, who will call the plays as the Voice of the Bruins.

Senior Marshall Runnels will join Baladi in the broadcast booth offering expert analysis. And sophomore

Jack Clements will serve as the sideline reporter.

Bruin Broadcasting also plans to webcast and broadcast varsity boys and girls home district basketball games. Junior Joseph Pearson will provide play-by-play with sopho-

“

Not only will these student broadcasters do a great job, they also will gain valuable, real-world experience” – Terry Cassreino, journalism teacher

during his senior year, he was moved to quarterback.

In just one year, he became one of the top five quarterbacks in the nation. When colleges came calling, Mississippi State University rang true.

“Growing up a Mississippi State fan, I wanted to go to Mississippi State,” Bond said. “But it was still hard to tell Bear Bryant no.”

As highly recruited as he was, Bond still had to fight for any playing time on the field.

“When I got there, I was seventh on the depth chart,” he said. “But I worked my way up.”

From there, Bond never looked back. His Bulldog football squad beat Alabama his freshman year. And his Bulldogs defeated Louisiana State University Tigers four times in his college career.

Since then, Bond has racked up an impressive coaching resume He served as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at New Hope High School in 1996 and 1997. He was quarter back coach and graduate assistant at Mississippi State from 1998-2000.

In the Jackson area, Bond served as quarterback coach at Millsaps College in 2002 and 2003. He was also quarterback coach from 2015-2017.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE

Today, far removed from his playing days at Scott Field and Mississippi Memorial Stadium in Jackson – where Mississippi State and Ole Miss often played many of their Southeastern Conference games during the 1970s and 1980s – he finds himself at St. Joseph Catholic School. It’s his first job as head football coach.

Bond is a quiet man. To most of his players, he seems reserved. Maybe that’s why everyone makes sure to stop and listen during those times he does speak.

One such occasion came early one morning in June shortly after he was named the Bruins’ football coach. About 10 football players attended the early morning workout that day; maybe half knew Bond was head coach.

“Come here, guys,” Bond said as he made his way out of his TRYING FOOTBALL office. “Look here. You see my nose? It’s crooked. Happened in the Auburn game. I also had a defensive end try to poke my However, in the eighth grade, Bond’s basketball coach per- eye out that same game. I paid them back by throwing a touchsuaded him to try football. He started out as wide receiver. But down to beat Auburn at Jordan-Haire Stadium.

PEARSON, from page 6

Photo by Sydney Shoemaker/The Bear Junior Aidan Lipovetsky kicks and Andrew Sanli holds an extra point in the jamboree on Friday.

mores J.C. Dorroh, Connor Dare and Clements offering expert analysis.

While Baladi will oversee all live sports productions, senior Byron Poindexter will supervise and direct live video streaming.

“We have a great broadcast team this year that will take our programming to the next level,” Baladi said.

“I’m looking forward to a fun and productive season behind the microphone.”

Mr. Terry Cassreino, who teaches high school journalism, agreed.

“Not only will these student broadcasters do a great job, they also will gain valuable, real-world experience that few high school students receive,” Mr. Cassreino said.

“That is what makes our journalism program unique among high schools. Year-in and year-out, our students do an amazing job.”

“You don’t get nothing in this game feeling sorry for yourself. Now let’s go.”

Those few words seemed to jumpstart his team. From then on, players have rallied behind their coach, preparing vigorously for the upcoming season.

SUCCESS ON THE FIELD

Photo by Sydney Shoemaker/ The Bear Facts Coach John Bond watches his players in the pre-season jamboree.

After weeks of preparation under the blazing heat of Mississippi’s unforgiving summer, the Bruins faced Newton High School on the road last week.

The Bruins defeated Newton 20-16 on the road in a playoff game in 2016, but were humiliated less than a year later in August 2017. Bond, though, set the tone before kickoff.

“I’ve played in some of the biggest stadiums in the country,” Bond told his team before the game. “But there’s nowhere I’d rather be than in Newton, Miss., with you guys right now.”

Under the guidance of quarterback Daniel Clarke, the Bruins came ready to play. Among the many highlights: Senior Kiland Harrison ended the game with three touchdown receptions and one interception.

The Bruins and Bond himself hope to continue what they started when they take to Bill Raphael Field on the St. Joe campus tonight for the home-opener against the Tri-County Academy Rebels.

The Bruins defeated Tri-County last year on the road by a score of 24-21. Kickoff is 7 p.m. and a large crowd is expected.

Players are hoping for a repeat of last year’s and last week’s games.

“No one really gave us a chance to beat Newton,” junior safety Andrew Sanli. “We knew before the game we had a chance, and we were ready to shock everyone.”

“We are a young team,” Green said. “But everything will start to click the more repetitions we get and when we get more comfortable with the plays.”

Head Coach John Bond and Offensive Coordinator DANIEL CLARKE Matthew Sigler have been working hard all summer to get the team in shape for the season-opening game on the road tonight at Newton high School.

Although the Bruins are inexperienced in a lot of positions, they more than make up for it in talent. The biggest concern for the Bruins this year is the offensive line. The Bruins graduated four of their five lineman, with Tyler Brown being the only remaining starter.

Despite this, the Bruins have several players

such as Sam Harrison, Wyatt Davis and Jaden Coleman ready to get substantial playing time this year.

As for the coaches, tonight marks the start of Coach Bond’s tenure as head coach of the Bruins.

JASON “Success for me in a season GREEN would obviously be a golden ring, a state championship,” Bond said.

“But more than that, success is building a program from the ground up, getting people to enjoy football, because football is a tough game. You get about 10 or 11 games and you work year round for those few moments of glory under the lights.”

Without a doubt, Bond will have his team ready to win on Friday nights.

2018 St. Joseph Catholic School Bruin Football Team No. 2 Daniel Clarke- QB/DB No. 3 Kevin May- RB/DB No. 4 Stephen Wolf- RB/LB No. 6 Kiland Harrison- WR/DB No. 7 Josh Briscoe- RB/LB No. 8 Jason Green- WR/DB No. 9 Aidan Lipovetsky- K/S No. 10 London Walker- WR/DB No. 12 Stone Hickman- RB/DB No. 13 Clifton Goodle- RB/DB No. 15 Chris Watson- RB/LB No. 16 Stephen Rimmer WR/DB No. 18 Ryan Ingebretsen- OL/DL No. 20 Andrew Sanli- QB/DB No. 21 Patton Beard- WR/DB No. 22 Zach Shelton- WR/DB No. 24 Chandler Thornhill- RB/LB No. 25 Ethan O’Rourke- WR/DB No. 26 Brandon Taylor- WR/DB No. 40 Joe Pearson- RB/LB No. 47 John Beard- RB/DB No. 50 John Hornback- OL/DL No. 5l Bleau Hickman- OL/DL No. 54 Jaden Coleman- OL/DL No. 56 Tyler Brown- OL/DL No. 75 Wyatt Davis- OL/DL No. 76 Matthew Blackwood- OL/DL No. 78 Sam Harrison- OL/DL

Bruin Sports PAGE 6

|

sports line

SOFTBALL TRYOUTS NEXT WEEK

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2018

|

SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL

|

MADISON, MISSISSIPPI

Life in the fast lane St. Joe girls swim team eyes fourth straight state championship, while boys team hopes to better second-pace finish last year

Lady Bruin softball tryouts are set for 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday and Friday, Aug, 29 and 31. Students must have a current physical on file with the school.

The softball team is leds

by Coach Meggan Windham, entering her second year at St. Joe. Contact her at megwindham@stjoebruins. com.

ARCHERY AND CLAY SHOOTING TEAM

St. Joe will field a clay shooting team and an archery team for the first time this year.

Students interested in the clay shooting team met in an informational session Wednesday.

The archery team will compete next semester,

VOLLEYBALL SEASON UNDERWAY UPCOMING GAMES n SATURDAY: Bruins at Hartfield (varsity only) n TUESDAY: Bruins at St. Andrew’s n THURSDAY: Bruins at Pisgah Middle school games scheduled for 4:30 p.m.; junior varsity and varsity will follow

CROSS COUNTRY HAS NEW COACH

Story by Natalia Igwebuike

W

hen the St. Joseph girls swim team comes to practice every morning, they put on their caps and goggles and jump in the pool for warm-ups.

As they swim laps, one thing – and one thing only – is on their mind: becoming the state champs once again.

The St. Joseph girls swim team have remained a dominant force, winning the state championship for the third time in a row last year. Their streak began in 2015 after placing second the previous year.

The team is confident that they can continue to win, and they can’t wait to make Coach Lauri Collins proud.

Above: Gage Douglas during morning practice. Photo by Kaycee Jackson/The Bear Facts Top photo: Senior swimmer Gabe Blaylock competes in state swimming tournament in Tupelo in this file photo from the 2017 swimming season.

The boys team finished second in the state. Photo courtesy of the Mississippi High School Activities Association

See SWIM, Page 3

Volleyball set for a great season

By JOE PEARSON The Bear Facts

The cross country team has a new coach this year. Bruin alumnus Ryan Crandall took the place of Max Holman.

Crandall has had the team doing extensive training all offseason, and the team is poised to have a great upcoming season.

St. Joe volleyball is underway.

The Bruins are led this year by a strong junior class.

Although the team got off to a rather slow start with a lose to Northwest Rankin, the team bounced back with a victory against Velma Jackson at home.

The team played its first home game of the year on Tuesday, against Pisgah.

players that have Ellie Heilman is been contributing one of the juniors, for a while and will who has been a be able to contribute starter on the varsity at a high level this rotation since her year.” freshman year.

The Bruins have “This year, the a formidable front ISABELLA ELLIE team has been HEILMAN line at the net. working especially ANTONAROS Leah Murphy and hard,” Heilman said.

Heilman are just two “We graduated of the tall players some key starters last year, like on the team capable of blocking Katie Joseph and Allie Milner, but any attempt to score at the net. In I feel like we have some younger addition to great front line defense,

the Bruins have a high powered offense to go along with it.

Isabella Antonaros, a junior on the team, is an agile back row player and can also serve very effectively. She also happens to be the daughter of Coach Suzanne Antonaros. Isabella said, “We have a great group of girls on the team this year, and we have potential to make a run for a championship.”

And certainly the goal for the Lady Bruins is nothing short of a state championship.

Young Bruin football team looks to new leaders

O

Photo by Sydney Shoemaker/The Bear Facts Junior Andrew Sanli drops back to pass. The Bruins will look to new leaders for the 2018 season.

nce again, the Bruin football team finds itself in an all-too-familiar situation: The JOE Bruins enter a new PEARSON season under new editor leadership.

Luckily for the Bruins, the team has members ready to step up and take on leadership roles this season.

In addition to having a new coach, the Bruins graduated a large number of seniors last year.

This left not only a personnel gap, but a leadership one as well.

And in the game of football,

“

My expectations are nothing short of a state championship.”

– Daniel Clarke, senior quarterback

lacking leaders on the field can be a huge detriment to winning.

Daniel Clarke is a rising senior and one of the members of the team who will have to step into a leadership role quickly at the quarterback position.

“My expectations are nothing short of a state championship. They are pretty high, but very possible with everyone locked in,” Clarke said.

“I’m excited to come out on Friday nights and spend my last ride representing the best school in the state,” he said.

Jason Green, one of the Bruins’ talented wide receivers, also will be a key member if the Bruins are to have success.

“Being a senior means you have to take charge and lead your team,” Green said.

“It’s also emotional because it’s the last time you get to go play with your brothers.”

See PEARSON, Page 5