While almost all schools in the Metro are in conferences there are a few who go it alone as independents. While scheduling can be a challenge at times these schools have found a way to be competitive and succeed at high levels.
This year Bishop Ward joins the ranks of the independents while St. Michael has joined the Crossroads Conference. All four of these teams return a lot of experience so it could be a chance for all to have highly successful seasons.
Let’s take a look at the four independents here in the Metro.
Here is our virutual Media Day for the Metro Independent schools.
Bishop Ward
Head Coach: Greg Duggins, 3rd Season
2021 record: 4-5
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 9/9
Biggest Challenge: The Cyclones will break in a new quarterback and are looking for depth on the offensive line. Those positions will be key with most of the very talented skill players like tailbacks BJ Johnson Jr. and Roderick Strong back again this season.
Outlook: Ward’s four wins from 2021 were the most in more than a decade. The Cyclones could be in position for a winning season and a second straight trip to the Kansas Class 3A playoffs. The schedule is different this year as Ward moves out of the Crossroads Conference and will go forward as an independent. Ward has added Turner along with Kansas 1A champ Olpe and 3A runner up Frontenac.
Coach’s thoughts: “
2022 Schedule:
9/2 Independence
9/9 @ Olpe
9/16 @ Frontenac
9/23 @ Turner
9/30 Wellsville
10/7 @ Santa Fe Trail
10/14 Baldwin
10/21 Osawatomie
Hogan Prep Academy
Head Coach: Phil Lascuola, 28th season
2021 record: 4-5
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 3/4
Biggest Challenge: The Rams have a lot of starting positions to fill. Finding those starters and adding to the depth will be the task at hand early in the season. Hogan Prep will also need for its lineman on both sides of the ball to be in shape and ready to go the distance.
Outlook: Hogan Prep has long been a team that finds ways to win consistently no matter how much experience it has to start the season. One plus is Xzavien Simmons returns as quarterback. The junior got a lot of experience last season and will be called on to lead his team again this year.
Coach’s thoughts: “We plan on putting a competitive team on the field. We will play hard to the whistle, give 100 percent effort for four quarters, and minimize mental mistakes. If we are able to do those three things consistently we should be competitive in all of our games.”
2022 Schedule:
8/27 Miller
9/2 @ Principia
9/9 @ Summit Christian Academy
9/17 Marceline
9/23 @ Warsaw
9/30 @ Pembroke Hill
10/8 Father Tolton
10/14 @ St. Michael
10/21 @ Sedalia Smith-Cotton
Pembroke Hill
Head Coach: Sam Knopik, 20th season
2021 record: 5-5
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 6-4
Biggest Challenge: The Raiders will be tested right from the start opening the season a St. Pius X team that has been in the state championship game the last few seasons. Pembroke Hill will need to build its depth to get through a tough early stretch of games along with a closing part of the schedule that will also be a test.
Outlook: Pembroke Hill returns its entire offensive line along with quarterback Harry Falk. That group should give a base for an offense that will look to get all of its skill players up to speed. One benefit this season is the remodeled stadium that now features a turf field that can be used in any conditions and that change in practice methods could make an impact on Friday nights.
Coach’s thoughts: “Offensively, we are looking to find a rhythm. We lost some dynamic players, so we are looking to fill in those roles and find our identity. Defensively, we are looking for a lot of our younger players to step up, be aggressive, trust their abilities and execute. With our new stadium additions and turf field, it will allow us to be more efficient and be able to maximize each minute of practice to better ourselves. It’s going to be a fun place to play, and our team is looking forward to breaking it in.”
2022 Schedule:
8/26 @ St. Pius X
9/2 Christ Prep Academy
9/9 @ Lincoln College Prep
9/16 St. Michael
9/24 @ University Academy
9/30 Hogan Prep Academy
10/7 East
10/14 @ Summit Christian Academy
10/21 Van Horn
Rockhurst
Head Coach: Kelly Donohoe, 3rd season
2021 record: 4-6
Returning Starters (Off/Def): 6/4
Biggest Challenge: The defense only returns four starters led by defensive lineman Connor Sexton. There are a lot of younger players that should help this group but the ability to stop the other team’s offense will be tested early with games against Raymore-Peculiar and Liberty North in the first three weeks of the season.
Outlook: This is the third season for Donohoe and his staff at Rockhurst. The Hawklets have played younger players the last few seasons and that experience should pay big dividends this season. The offense returns four on the offensive line and will be anchored by junior tackle Andrew Sprague. Ethan Hansen is back at quarterback so the offense should hit the ground running. There are a lot of juniors that will be on the field this year and if that group can settle in this could be a big two-year run for the Hawklets.
Coach’s thoughts: “We are a physically stronger team than we were a year ago and overall we are more athletic. We are very excited for 2022. We had a really strong off season in the weight room and we have a bunch of awesome kids to coach that care a lot about the Rockhurst football tradition.”
2021 Schedule:
8/26 @ Raymore-Peculiar
9/2 Blue Springs South
9/9 @ Liberty North
9/16 Bentonville, Ark.
9/23 @ Bishop Miege
9/30 St. Thomas Aquinas
10/7 Blue Springs
10/14 @ SLUH
10/21 Harmon
