Dabrein Moss doesn’t want to be remembered for just one play.
But, boy, was that play ever memorable.
Moss, a senior at St. Pius X this year, caught a 61-yard touchdown pass from Collin Smith on the game’s last play to beat Jefferson 24-20 last year. The victory helped the Lancers win the I-55 Conference.
“That was one play everybody knows me for,” Moss said. “I want to show everyone I’m a complete player and I can do everything.”
The last-second TD was the kind of highlight-reel play that attracts the attention of college coaches.
Moss, who will line up in the backfield or at receiver on offense and also starts at linebacker on defense, recently received his first athletic scholarship offer, from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.
“I’m blessed to have the opportunity to play football at the next level,” Moss said.
Moss is related to two former standout Lancers.
His uncle, Carlos Bisch, graduated from Pius in 2006 and holds the school’s single-season rushing record with 1,368 yards. Moss’s father, Antoine, starred on offense and defense and graduated in 2003.
“I have a mix of both,” Moss said. “I’m shifty like my uncle, but at the same time I’m not afraid to hit like my dad.”
And Moss is focused on team goals. After a school-record eight victories in 2021, the Lancers are shooting to do even better this fall.
“We want to go 9-0 (in the regular season),” he said. “I’m trying to do what I can to help my team do that.
“I’m a playmaker. I want to get us the best position to score.” Last season, he combined for 481 yards rushing and receiving.
Lancer quarterback Smith, in his second year as the starter, made the all-I-55 Conference second team. He and fellow 2022 graduate Nate Ruble, the conference’s defensive most valuable player, set the tone for the Lancers.
Junior James Smith, Collin’s younger brother, steps in at QB this year. The younger Smith “has been phenomenal,” head coach Dan Oliver said. “He spelled Collin a little last year, so he’s ready to come in. He’s poised, big and tall and throws the ball real well. He may not be as heavy as Collin was last year, but he may be a little taller and (more) polished in the passing game.”
Moss weighs about 210 pounds and like Ruble, who played at 220, has the speed and raw strength to excel on both sides of the ball.
“He’s a college-level ballplayer that we’re fortunate to have,” Oliver said.
Senior Austin McGuckin will start at running back, with sophomore Justin Lehn taking over at fullback. McGuckin rushed for 227 yards on 49 attempts last season and his two touchdowns both were against conference opponents.
“It’s a big, physical backfield,” Oliver said.
St. Pius doesn’t pass a lot, but when Oliver decides to air it out, he likes to spread the ball around. Seniors Andrew Merseal and Eli Frimml are returning starters at receiver and Matt Mariani, Connor Hamilton and Chase Waterkotte will provide Smith with even more targets. In a conference win over Bayless last year, Frimml caught two touchdown passes.
Three offensive linemen return: guards Karter Bone, a junior, and senior Christian McCline, along with senior Alex Moissis at right tackle. McCline was first-team all-conference on both sides of the line last year. Senior Alex Konersmann and sophomore Joe Ortmann are vying for the other tackle spot.
Moissis had never played football before last year. By the end of the season, he was good enough to make all-conference second team at defensive end. He averaged about a sack per game, and said he wants to match that or do better this season.
“I want to win more than anything,” Moissis said. “The team comes first. I don’t think we should lose a game during the regular season. I want to leave our mark on the school. I love sacking the quarterback.”
Oliver said Moissis has become the emotional leader of the defense. “He’s a fiery kind of kid. He gets us excited on defense. He’s physical and fast.”
McGuckin and Moss are the outside linebackers and sophomore Justin Lehn replaces Ruble at middle linebacker. Lehn earned some playing time as a freshman.
“He’s really close with Nate and he’ll call (Ruble) after practice and get some tutoring,” Oliver said of Lehn. “Nate started as a freshman and I think Justin will be poised in there.”
McCline and Bone are the run-stoppers on the interior of the defensive line, with Konersmann and Waterkotte on the ends. The defensive backfield is still shaping up with senior Connor Hamilton at safety and Frimml, Merseal and senior Nolan Sippel likely filling the other spots.
Oliver said special teams personnel were still being decided, including McGuckin as the projected kicker.
“We have a powerful short-yardage offense, so if we have to, we’ll go for two points (after TDs),” Oliver said.
After shutting out Crystal City in the first round of the Class 1 District 2 tournament last season, St. Pius lost 20-0 to Mark Twain in the semifinals. Monroe City crushed Mark Twain 52-0 to win the district before falling to Hayti in the state quarterfinals.
St. Pius hosts Brentwood (6-5 in 2021) to open the 2022 season on Aug. 26.
St. Pius X Lancers (I-55 Conference)
2021: 8-3
Aug. 26 Brentwood, 7 p.m.
Sept. 2 at Bishop DuBourg, 7 p.m.
*Sept. 9 Grandview, 7 p.m.
*Sept. 16 at Jefferson, 7 p.m.
*Sept. 23 Herculaneum, 7 p.m.
Sept. 30 at Cuba, 7 p.m.
*Oct. 7 St. Vincent, 7 p.m.
*Oct. 14 at Bayless, 7 p.m.
Oct. 21 Perryville, 7 p.m.