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 It’s hard to envision St. Pius X topping the past two years, but don’t count it out in 2022.

In the first two years under Anthony Simone as head coach, the Warriors simply have advanced to the Missouri Class 2 state championship game in 2020 and the Class 3 title game in 2021. At 24-3, not a shabby start for the St. Pius X alum on the sidelines.

The Warriors have lost some key players from those teams, but still return key players and newcomers as well.

Two of the returners are first-team all-state selections in 2021, with senior Tommy Wasinger (6-foot-3, 275) anchoring the offensive line as a four-year starter.

Another first team Class 3 selection – junior Jayshawn Ross (6-foot-4, 230) – rates in the top 15 in the 2024 class for defensive edge rushers with offers from Michigan, Notre Dame and 20+ Power 5 schools. Ross also stars at wide receiver, with 42 catches for 775 yards and eight touchdowns.

Along with Wasinger and Ross on offense, senior Braydon McPhee (5-foot-11, 190) will take over the helm as a dual-threat quarterback. The backfield will consist of a rotation of three sophomores – Dominic Cude (5-foot-11, 230) will be a load to tackle, Larry Cascone (6-0, 190) will bring speed and Turner White (5-foot-10, 170) adds a quick option in the backfield or slot.

Joining Ross on the outside will be returning wideouts in senior Reed McCann (6-0, 185), who hauled in 259 yards and five touchdowns in 2021 and juniors Grant Redd (5-foot-11, 170) and Max Ervie (5-foot-10, 180), who combined for 280 yards and three touchdowns.

Up front, junior Ty Ward and sophomore Rylan Kuhn (6-foot-1, 235) return along with Wasinger. Overall, the Warriors may not have the seniors of last year, but should make up for it in talent.

“This is a super talented and athletic group,” Simone analyzed. “They’re very coachable and have all bought into our mission of being champions. We will be super young with a lot of sophomore and juniors, but our guys are varsity ready.”

Along with Wasinger on the defensive line will be Ward (5-foot-11, 205) and Joe Arena (5-foot-11, 225), who played in the final six games a year ago.

Ross will lead the linebackers on the outside, while sophomore Carl Molle (6-foot-2, 205) and senior Stanley Yates (5-foot-11, 175) also will patrol the middle.

“Carl has had a monster offseason and summer,” Simone touted. “Stanley’s name will be called a lot this year and of course, Jay will be a nightmare off the edge.”

The secondary will see McPhee line up at free safety. Joining the senior will be three-year starters in Ervie at strong safety and Redd at cornerback. McCann also brings athleticism at the other corner.

“We lost a lot of awesome seniors from last season and they left us with some major voids,” Simone reviewed. “It’s going to be tough but I truly feel like we have the guys to fill those voids. It will be a process with this young group, but all of us feel this group of young men has the potential to be one of the best groups we’ve had here – and that’s saying a lot.”