In a natural rite of passage, high school football teams lose key players to graduation every year. And while Nick Baer doesn’t seem outwardly concerned about that process, the new Seckman head coach may, deep down inside, wish it hadn’t happened to his Jaguars after the best season in the school’s history.
Prior to last year, the best Seckman had ever fared on the gridiron was back in 2006, when the Jaguars posted a 5-5 record. That was when Baer was the star running back.
Now, after spending eight seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, including the last two in the role of offensive coordinator, Baer is the head coach and is hoping to build on the 6-4 mark the Jaguars posted a year ago under Doug Baker, who took a job as an administrator at Excelsior Springs after three years at the helm.
Baer’s concern level when it comes to finding replacements for offensive contributors like Seth Lounsbury, Drew Campbell and Dylan Hawk, all of whom graduated in May, doesn’t seem to even come close to panic level.
“The guys we’ve got filling in now that didn’t play offensively last year; they contributed on the defensive side last year,” Baer said, “so they have game experience. And a guy like Luke Salsman, whom we expect to have a big year, is going to be an interesting one to watch, to go along with our slotbacks, Anthony Chellew and Necho Mason.
“Last year, guys like JT Thomas and Miles McPheeters both saw a lot of time on offense (as receivers), and we targeted them. Miles is 6-4 and can go up and get the ball. The only real question mark we have is fullback, but we’ve got four guys in line to see who steps up.”
Senior Joe Stuckmeyer steps in at quarterback for the departed Lounsbury; he had a few snaps last year when
Lounsbury was banged up.
“If you were going to build a quarterback, Joe’s the guy you’d want,” Baer said. “He’s put a lot of work into his body to get bigger, faster and stronger. We’re still going to be an option football team, but we’re also open to Stuckmeyer airing it out when we need to.”
Stuckmeyer and his backs will be following the large frame of senior Jake Seidel on the offensive line. Already committed to Missouri State in Springfield, the 6-5, 300 pounder is considered one of the top offensive linemen in the St. Louis area.
“He’s got the body,” Baer said of the two-way performer. “But the last three years, Jake has put the work in to really be successful. We’re looking for him to take over the football field and play like a (Division I) athlete on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons. When we walk out there, people need to know this is a kid that’s going to take over a football game!”
“We’ve got other solid pieces in Logan Smith and Colton Critchlow, both returning starters. Colton may not have the height (5-11), but he’s a tough dude who can move people around. Brady Taylor will be a team captain, and he’s our center. Brady bought in over the summer, and now he’s got a position to start.
“Defensively, Seidel, Taylor, Critchlow and Smith will be joined by guys like Justice Ashlock, Brandon Granger and Cole Campbell. Those guys will all see a lot of time on the defensive side.
“We’ve got a lot of experience coming back on defense. McPheeters and Chellew have started at linebacker the last three years, with Chellew rotating at times to the defensive backfield. JT Thomas and Sam Sattley will be our cornerbacks, with Luke Salsman being our lone safety.”
And even with some trial by fire at key spots ahead, Baer said he is confident that last year’s results should rub off on this group.
“This group knows what we were able to achieve last season, and they want more,” he said. “You can tell by the way the off-season went that they’re not ready to settle for 6-4; they want more, and to beat Fox. But they also need to not take anything for granted. We have to go into every single game never satisfied with where we are.”
The Jaguars open their 2019 campaign Friday at Washington.