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St. Pius X made the first year under Anthony Simone look so easy, it’s exciting to  anticipate year two in 2021.

Simone, an anchor on St. Pius X state title team in 2002, returned to his alma mater as head football coach in 2020, and simply didn’t lose a game … until the Missouri Class 2 title game. For the season, the Warriors finished 12-1 – quite the turnaround from 3-7 in 2019.

“We didn’t expect to run the table,” recalled Simone. “The coaches in the offseason watched film and saw the amount of talent that was there, and just had to put it together. We knew going into last season that this wasn’t a 3-7 football team. To not lose until the championship, no one expected that. But once we got rolling, we knew we were going to be a good squad.”

The lone blemish was suffering a 6-3 loss in the title game to Lamar. But even with the great season and returning a strong cast of seniors, the Warriors aren’t satisfied.

“The amazing thing is, even going from 3-7 to 12-1, they didn’t have satisfaction,” Simone stated. “They are super hungry - but we’re not talking about state championships. We’re talking about going 1-0 and staying focused. That’s how we got there last year, taking it one game at a time. They’re not worrying about ‘Running it Back’. They’re talking about 1-0, and that’s what I’m proud of as a coach.”

St. Pius X returns many top playmakers from a year ago, including quarterback Jack Mosh (5-foot-11, 180). Mosh set a school record with 2,084 passing yards, along with 19 touchdowns. Mosh, a four-year starter at playcaller, also added 403 rushing yards and six scores. For the efforts, Mosh was tabbed second-team all-Missouri Class 2. Not bad for a commit to Mizzou baseball.

A fellow all-state second teamer will line up behind Mosh in running back Robbie Sharp (5-foot-8, 170). The senior rushed for 1,078 yards and 15 touchdowns, along with 275 receiving yards and a TD snare, in 2020.

Senior tight end Aiden Coons (6-foot-4, 190) also returns, after emerging with 227 yards and three touchdowns via air. Coons, who also starts at linebacker, has been a two-way starter for three seasons.

“We have a lot of skill guys back, and they’ve worked hard in the offseason,” Simone stated. “Jack – I’ve seen grown up from when he was a little kid, and it’ll be special to him go on and play Division I baseball.”

The rest of the backfield is senior-heavy as well, as Carl Ragusa (5-foot-11, 210) and Vince Occhipinto (6-foot-2, 170) also will get carries at running back, while Shane Dorian (5-foot-11, 220) will pave the way at fullback. Freshman Dominic Cude (5-foot-10, 215) also will see time at fullback and tailback.

Wide receivers will be a mix of senior and younger talent in senior Johnny Caime, junior Reed McCann and sophomores Max Ervie (5-foot-9, 165) and Jayshawn Ross.

On the line, senior Frankie  John Cherrito (5-foot-11, 215) and junior Tommy Wasinger (6-foot-4, 265) will lead the way.

Defensively the Warrior cross over a lot of two-way players, starting up front with Wasinger and Cherrito in the middle, and Ross at defensive end. Ross, at 6-foot-4, 220, already has picked up offers from Kansas and K-State entering his sophomore campaign and Simone touted as “the most dynamic player on the field”.

Dorian will patrol the field at middle linebacker, while Coons and Ciame (5-foot-8, 180) also will register tackles at linebacker.

The secondary will bring back Mosh at strong safety and McCann (6-0, 175) at free safety. Sharp and Occhipinto – a Missouri first-team Class 3 selection – will clamp down at cornerback. Ervie also will see time at defensive back.

“It’s a dream come true, being here as a player and my entire family went here and still comes to every game,” Simone said. “There’s seven alumni on the staff, and everyone on the staff is associated with Pius. It makes it really special to be coaching on the field I played on, and able to put yourself in the kids’ shoes and knowing what they’re going through. I know what it’s like to win one as a player here, but really great to win one as a coach. We’re super focused, but worrying about one game at a time. If we do that, I believe these guys will have success.”

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