Sportsbeat Preview: Brookville Raiders

ST. MARYS (WTAJ) — There was an unexpected change at the top of the Brookville coaching staff this spring when Gabe Bowley stepped down after seven seasons and more than 50 wins.

His successor, Bill Morrison takes his place. Morrison has spent the two seasons on the Brookville staff as defensive coordinator.

“Coach Mo brought the intensity last year. And this year he’s going to bring it back,” said senior Kolton Griffin. “And that’s something we all like and enjoy to have around because it sparks a fire under us and gets us on the roll.”

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Morrison takes over a program that saw great success under Bowley who wen 52-24 since 2017. Last year, Brookville finished 9-3. The Raiders rattled off 9-straight wins after a slow 0-2 start.

Slow starts have been somewhat a problem in recent years for the Raiders who opened the season 0-2 last year, and 1-4 in 2022. Morrison eyes that as one of the biggest things holding the team back.

“High school football is all about confidence”, he said. “And whenever you get that win or maybe that win that you weren’t supposed to win, that confidence just snowballs and kids just take off with it and then it becomes kind of its own thing. And when the kids are confident and playing fast and know what they’re doing and trust each other, good things happen.”

Brookville should have an easier path to a quick start, playing Bradford and Karns City in weeks one and two. The Raiders went 3-0 against those two last fall.

Key losses: Charlie Krug (QB/DB) Jack Pete (WR/DB) Steven Plyer (K/P) Jack Knapp (LB/TE)

Key returners: Gavin Hannah (OL/DL) Jacob Klinger (OL/DL) Sam Krug (WR/DB) Easton Belfiore (WR/LB)

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