Football
History
The De Smet Jesuit Football Program has a long history of success on and off the field. The Football Spartans first began play under Coach Bob "the Bear" Christian who led the Spartans to their first State Title appearance against Parkwood (Joplin) in 1975. Coach Denny Cerneka took over the football program after Coach Christian and led the team to several playoff appearances and became a founding member of the Metro Catholic Conference. Coach Pat Mahoney took over the Spartans and led them to 5 MCC Titles, 5 Final 4 appearances, and the 1st Football State Championship in 2005. Coach Robert Steeples led the Spartans to their 1st undefeated season in and their 2nd State Title in 2019 and finished as State Runner-Up in 2020. Coach John Merritt took over the Spartans in 2022 and continued this tradition, taking the Spartans to the Final 4 in each of his first 2 seasons along with winning the MCC Title in 2023.
Football Schedule
There are no events to display
Teams
Media Room
![Massey in white basketball jersey walking out to intro at pregame - photo by Will Poelker '25]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1712056786/desmet/mprhtmd5qfh33isig7bh/StateTourneyEditspoelker153.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1712056786/desmet/mprhtmd5qfh33isig7bh/StateTourneyEditspoelker153.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1712056786/desmet/mprhtmd5qfh33isig7bh/StateTourneyEditspoelker153.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1712056786/desmet/mprhtmd5qfh33isig7bh/StateTourneyEditspoelker153.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1712056786/desmet/mprhtmd5qfh33isig7bh/StateTourneyEditspoelker153.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1712056786/desmet/mprhtmd5qfh33isig7bh/StateTourneyEditspoelker153.jpg","width":2200}])
Article by Warren Mayes
Photos from Will Poelker '25
![State Champion anglers holding fish shaped trophies wearing white-maroon jerseys - photo by Mr. Berns]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1710948943/desmet/wzhgknihsimuycc81owz/TBFSAFSTATECHAMPIONSHIPberns99.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1710948943/desmet/wzhgknihsimuycc81owz/TBFSAFSTATECHAMPIONSHIPberns99.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1710948943/desmet/wzhgknihsimuycc81owz/TBFSAFSTATECHAMPIONSHIPberns99.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1710948943/desmet/wzhgknihsimuycc81owz/TBFSAFSTATECHAMPIONSHIPberns99.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1710948943/desmet/wzhgknihsimuycc81owz/TBFSAFSTATECHAMPIONSHIPberns99.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1710948943/desmet/wzhgknihsimuycc81owz/TBFSAFSTATECHAMPIONSHIPberns99.jpg","width":2200}])
Article by Andrew Dolan '26
Photos by Mr. Berns
![Basketball players celebrating state with the trophy - photo by Paul Halfacre]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1710509013/desmet/t347mymhnynlxur8jgff/BasketballState-byPaulHalfacre.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1710509013/desmet/t347mymhnynlxur8jgff/BasketballState-byPaulHalfacre.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1710509013/desmet/t347mymhnynlxur8jgff/BasketballState-byPaulHalfacre.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1710509013/desmet/t347mymhnynlxur8jgff/BasketballState-byPaulHalfacre.jpg","width":905}])
Article & Photos by Paul Halfacre
Click Logo to view action shots and team pictures from Jason Schoenig
Click logo to view Livestream of games