>> Rockhurst 2024 schedule <<

After a memorable Rockhurst comes off a great year and looks to keep that momentum going forward in 2024.

A game-winning field goal as time expired at Bentonville. An epic comeback at St. Thomas Aquinas. Taking eventual state champion Liberty North to a 28-27 thriller in the state semifinals.

In the end, Rockhurst finished 11-2 with a trip to the Missouri Class 6 semis, its best season since 2018’s trip to the title game. Despite most players graduating last spring, the Hawklets feel ready for another strong season ahead.

“We have a great group that went undefeated in junior varsity, have waited their time and we’re excited that they’ll be ready to go for this season,” stated Kelly Donohoe, entering his fifth season as head coach at Rockhurst.

The Hawklets will line up a new backfield, as senior Charlie Loose (6-foot-2, 180) takes the helm at quarterback.

“We felt last year as a junior, he could’ve got it done but Ethan Hansen was there. But now Charlie’s ready to go,” Donohoe relayed. “Not a lot of kids want to wait patiently, but he had a great JV season and a great summer. He makes all the throws, is a competitive guy so we’re not going to fall off, and that’s saying a lot with Ethan having a great season last year.”

Junior Pierce Fisher (6-0, 170) takes the helm at running back, as Fisher did run for 146 yards and a touchdown in varsity action a year ago. Senior Van Pham also will garner carries out of the backfield.

“We’re really excited about our running back situation,” Donohoe touted. “They both saw varsity action and played significant minutes last year. Pierce and Van are two guys we feel really good about.”

Senior Beau Neuburger (6-0, 225) and junior Henry Coppinger, younger brother of Tommy Coppinger, will share duties at fullback.

On the outside, senior Riley Sullivan (6-5, 195) will snag throws at wide receiver at the X position, one of three Sullivan brothers on the team.

“Riley would’ve started for about any team in the area, but we just had three really good seniors,” Donohoe said. “He’s a big guy with speed and will counting on him for a big year. And I’ve never had three brothers on a team, so that’ll be a first for me.”

Sophomores Blake Thomas (5-foot-9, 160) and Cash Lewandowski will join junior Charlie Bernstein to round out the receiving corps.

“Even though Blake and Cash are sophomores, we view them as juniors. They love football, been great through the process and our receivers will be successful,” Donohoe analyzed.

Another big target with upside will be junior Kevin Sullivan (6-foot-6, 210) at tight end, as well as Owen Hokanson (6-foot-2, 220) giving breathers to Sullivan.

“Kevin has unbelievable upside and is a good athlete and competitive. We’ll target the tight end more than in past years with Kevin,” Donohoe foresaw.

Up front, Rockhurst returns senior Jack Manning (6-2, 250), an Army commit, and senior Drew Mozena (6-0, 220) at tackles. Fellow senior Matt Bowling (6-foot-1, 240) will initiate the offense at center, while sophomore Jack Sprague (6-foot-3, 250) – younger brother of Michigan commit Andrew – as well as senior Brody Gordanier (6-foot-1, 210) and junior Brennan Murphy (6-0, 220) will rotate at guards.

“We have a lot of players who will need to get experience at the varsity level, but we’re crazy enough to think this is going to be a good offensive team,” Donohoe touted.

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And as always, Rockhurst games will be broadcast online at 810Varsity.com!

Defensively, Manning will anchor the middle of the line at nose guard, while Kevin Sullivan and senior Gage Nelson will line up at ends. Sophomore Declan Sullivan (6-foot-2, 220) also will see time on the defensive front.

Senior Jeb Koetting (6-foot-1, 215) will lead the linebacking corps after notching 70 tackles – eight for loss – along with two interceptions last year. Neuburger, Lewandowski, Coppinger and senior Bud Fallon, returning from a knee injury, will register tackles at linebacker.

Fisher, senior Chase Hammerschmidt (5-foot-10, 185) and junior Charlie Bernstein will patrol at safety, while Thomas, senior Brendan Bowen, senior Michael Tafoya (5-foot-11, 170) and junior Colin Powell (5-foot-9, 160) will man up at cornerback.

Oliver Priestland and Jaden Tynes, son of former Chiefs kicker Lawrence Tynes, will vie for kicking duties.

“It’s a grind every week and no easy games in Class 6, and playing St. Pius, Bishop Miege and St. Thomas Aquinas, it will be another tough schedule,” Donohoe predicted. “But it’ll get us ready for the playoffs and hopefully another long run ahead in the postseason.”