Hermann bearcats

Under new leadership, the Hermann Bearcats enter the 2023 season fresh off a solid 8-3 season. The team finished third in the Four Rivers conference, eventually falling to St. Francis Borgia in the playoffs. Jed Leeper will take over as head coach this season, replacing previous Head Coach Andy Emmons, who will move into an administrative role at Hermann. Emmons is the winningest football coach in the school’s history. Leeper, a 1997 Hermann graduate, returns to the school after head coaching stints at several Oregon high schools. The Bearcats had a strong 2022 season, nearly flipping their record from a disappointing 4-7 season in 2021. With a new head coach and a lack of returning starters, the team faces an uphill battle in repeating last season’s success.

The Bearcats see the return of 10 lettermen in 2023, with only three offensive starters returning. Head Coach Leeper will essentially start from scratch, as the team loses key producers for the offense. One important returner is senior QB Trenton Lampkin (5’11, 180), who will anchor the team’s offense in 2023. The Bearcats found great success on offense last season, but not through the passing game. The team relied heavily on their run game, as they averaged 262 rushing yards per game and only 88 passing yards per game. This rushing attack propelled the team to several Class: 2

Conference: Four Rivers

Head Coach: Jed Leeper

Years at School: First Record at School: 0-0

Offensive Starters Returning: 3

Defensive Starters Returning: 5

Total Returning Lettermen: 10

2022 Overall Record: 8-3 large wins, including five straight wins to start the 2022 season. Lampkin will play an essential role in adding more versatility to the Bearcats offensive attack. Coach Leeper recognizes that the team will need to use their experience to find success offensively, “We are building back from an experienced offensive line group this year and feel like our skill players will be efficient and take care of the football while creating explosive plays,” he said. The Bearcats see the return of two starting offensive linemen this season: junior OL Owen Palladino (5’11, 180) and senior OL Brady Grosse (5’11, 205). Grosse also plays RB at times and will likely step into a bigger role in the backfield considering the team’s losses. Though a lack of returners presents a challenge for the Bearcats offense, Leeper is optimistic that the team can repeat its explosiveness. “While we have a small senior group, they are good leaders and have several years of varsity experience,” Leeper said. “Our focus will be on the next step – to control the things that we can control and take each moment one at a time.” The Bearcats offense averaged 30.6 points per game in 2022. This led the team to one of their best records in recent memory. At times, the Bearcats offense proved incredibly explosive, including two sixty-point wins against Cuba High School last season (one of which was a playoff win).

Leeper said that the offense will typically line-up in a flexbone formation this season – one of the most technical offenses run in football today. Like 2022, the team will likely rely on its strong run game, as supported by their run-friendly formation.

On the other side of the ball, the Bearcats see the return of five defensive starters in 2023. In the secondary, the team returns two key defensive backs: junior DB Nolan Mercier (5’8, 155) and senior DB Nolan Brune (5’10, 165). The two Nolans, each bringing varsity experience, will look to disrupt opposing passing games in a defense that coach Leeper says will remain aggressive. “We are in an attacking-focused defense,” Leeper said. “Swarming to the football, creating turnovers and limiting the big play.” The Bearcats also return junior DL Daeden Hopkins (6’6, 220), who provides much needed size up-front. “Our defensive line will have the most depth, allowing us to rotate some guys through each game,” Leeper said. Additionally, senior LB Brady Grosse and junior LB Caden Humphrey (5’7, 170), add valuable experience to the Bearcats’ linebacker corps. The defense lacks a significant number of returning starters, but has the infrastructure to contain opposing offenses this season. The Bearcats’ defense proved their toughness in 2022. The team allowed 13.4 points per game last season and did not let an opposing offense score more than 21 points until their final playoff loss. Expect to see the Bearcats line up in an odd stack formation this season. Under Leeper, the Bearcats aim to continue their aggres- sive approach on defense. Hermann loses a head coach who brought their football program some of its strongest seasons to date. Coach Leeper inherits a program that is riding the high of its success, but they will face challenges with their lack of returning starters in 2023. For Leeper and the Bearcats, this challenge provides motivation for the upcoming season. The Four Rivers Conference will be more of a wide open race this year, so with a more balanced schedule there will some opportunities for the Bearcats to take advantage of this season.