Category: Sports
Red Devil volleyball begins Round 1 of Sectional, playing tonight against Providence
Cross country teams driven by unity, focus
by Isabella Stewart
The cross country team has grown significantly this year, starting with the size of the team. Coach Sam Mull, who also coaches track, has seen growth from runners this year and encourages each runner to run track for the spring.
This year’s cross country team has a fair amount of the same team as the previous year; the only major difference is that this year’s girls’ team is slightly larger than in past years. Coach Mull is always welcoming more.
Cross country is a coed sport. Team members practice everyday from 2:45 to 4:30, and the girls and boys practice and then attend meets together.
Freshman Marcus Baker described the intensity of running for a high school team.
“As a student who went to Parkview Middle School, I can say this is a different experience than back in middle school. I feel like I have run better this season than any other, and I think the reason is the coach.”
Mull said, “The best part about coaching is watching kids who don’t believe in themselves do something they thought they couldn’t.” That’s something that motivates him everyday because he loves to watch them grow significantly as a person and as a runner.
Senior Isa Santos Moore is in his first year of running cross country, and his brother, junior Ari Santos Moore, is the reason he got into it. Isa stated that running cross country is a team sport that requires a mental focus.
“Journaling and talking to myself really help me run because focusing on my mentality is what is going to get me through the race with the help of my teammates.”
Senior Brian Juarez said unity is an important part of the cross country team’s success.
“What makes a great team is their loyalty, responsibility, accountability, and always being there for each other holding each and everyone accountable,” he said.
Coach Mull added, “Cohesiveness as a group: a group of kids who all get along and then from there cross country is based on discipline as a runner and strength.”
The cross country teams head into a Hoosier Hills COnference tournament tomorrow at Columbus East.
Struck shares deeper understanding of JHS weight room for students and athletes
by Sarah Baloucoune and D’Zyiah Moore
Training is essential for athletes who wish to progress in their sport, but also for people who want to be in good shape and live long. With that said, the JHS weight room plays a key role in making any Jeffersonville high schooler improve their abilities with the help of the coaching staff.
Coach Danny Struck is a professional in weightlifting and wrestling. He dedicated his life to sports and helping people reach their full potential while training. His students from all grades play different sports, from volleyball to wrestling, and even bowling and track. Everyone could use a bit of help from the weight room, he said.
The National Institute of Health shows how the use of weight rooms can improve strength and dexterity, making it good for anyone.
The weight room, renovated 15 years ago by Struck, is a refuge for students hungry for power and training. The funds and donations raised by the wrestling coach helped him turn it into a multifunctional room in which students can practice weightlifting, speed training, and yoga on a daily basis.
With that being said, the weight room is a source of help and support for physical, mental, and psychological health, as it makes student-athletes push their limits and unwind from the stresses of the day, while also staying active and focusing on their health. It is good for injury prevention and power training, which is an aid when living an active life.
According to Struck, the room isn’t only beneficial for athletes, but for anyone, as it helps anyone in everyday life, such as running, lifting objects like groceries, walking a long time without getting tired, and keeping a clean and fresh mind.
Struck said the weight room is open to all students, as long as they respect the materials and other people using it with them. He added that he wants the weight room to be more inclusive by opening it to more female students.
Accessing the weight room is easy – students just need to be a student of Coach Struck’s classes or be in one of the school sports teams with a coach who uses the weight room as training.
More than a class, the weight room is like a second family that helps each other and wants to see each person improve and become a better version of themselves.
There you have brothers, sisters, friends and allies as “the best part of the weight room is supporting each other,” according to senior Mekhi Cooper, a member of the wrestling and tennis teams.
It’s also a “non-judgmental group with nice people,” according to senior Emily Bailey, a member of the bowling team.
Students who are interested in using the weight room should talk to their counselor, as Coach Struck is always open to new members.
Boys’ tennis defeats New Albany, advances to play Providence for Sectional title Friday
A behind-the-scenes look at the JHS boys’ tennis team as they faced off with Borden High School.
Update: The Red Devils began Sectional play Thursday against New Albany at the Mark Reilly Tennis Center and defeated the Bulldogs.
They play Providence Friday at the Mark Reilly Tennis Center for the Sectional championship at 6 p.m.
Football team builds up for a year of redemption, prepares to face rival New Albany Saturday morning
by Ifrah Daber
Recent JHS football teams haven’t been known for their wins, especially with their 0-10 record in 2023. Since the beginning of the school year, however, many JHS football fans have noticed the team’s growth. As of Sept. 28, the varsity Red Devils are 4-2, with wins against Seymour, Bedford North Lawrence, Louisville Fern Creek, and Silver Creek.
This new school year is a chance for redemption for the Red Devils, and they have taken this challenge with pride.
First-year head coach Joe Washington leads these players and has shaped them for the season. He spoke about discipline and the importance of focus, along with prioritizing the fundamentals, when discussing the team’s success this year.
“Our biggest strength is our defense, and our biggest weakness is likely that we are new on offense,” Washington stated. He elaborated that the team was newer to some offensive plays and going by the book.
“It’s a rival and all records go out the window. It’s us versus us this week.” Washington stated about how he and the team viewed the upcoming game against New Albany.
Despite the challenge of learning and perfecting an offense with his team, Washington still shows confidence. He stated that the players are excited and have been playing well. The positive sentiment is not just believed by the coach, but also by many of the teammates.
One example is senior running back Dayzir Hughes, who has just begun his third year on the team. Hughes attributed the coaching staff’s dedication to the sport to the team’s improvement.
“They put heart into it; the coaches take the time,” Hughes stated.
Senior Glorie Tshimanga, a main tackle on the team for the last three years, described the biggest team weakness as their running game but also said the Red Devils have greatly improved in areas of defense.
He, too, credited the team’s improvement to the coaching of Washington and their other coaches, along with the team’s strong improvement in defense.
“All about a winning mindset, and showing that the team is capable,” stated sophomore Bryce Treat, an offensive guard who recently joined the team.
Despite Treat being newer to the team, he has great trust in his teammates.
Even some student managers chose to speak up about their faith in the team, including freshman Kendall Washington. Coach Washington’s daughter and football team manager stated that the team’s biggest strength is their camaraderie and brotherhood.
She stated that team discipline and a professional approach are the keys to the team’s success. She said that the Red Devils will do well if they keep it together and do not fall back into bad habits.
The team wants to take this year as a new start for JHS football. The words of the team and the coach show that they are focused and ready for more wins down the road.
“Jeff is back and better,” Treat stated, letting students know to look forward to the coming season.
JHS faces local rival New Albany (3-3) in a rare morning home game this Saturday at 11 a.m.
JV soccer team works together to strengthen skills
by Isabella Wemes
Junior varsity girls’ soccer coach Phoebe Bauer Watson meets with the junior varsity athletes to explain what drill they will do first. “We are sharpening our dribbling skills and one-on-ones,” said Watson.
To Watson, the athletes have worked hard and put in much effort.
“We have improved on defending, dribbling, and passing with each other to make a shot.”
From these drills at practice, the athletes feel they have improved at their positions.
Freshman Ivy Romine-Wykoff said, “The drills have helped me find my strengths, which are blocking somebody and passing.” Romine-Wykoff plays left defense.
Sophomore Zoey Johnson plays full back and center midfield. She, too, thinks that the drills have helped her improve. “The drills are fun and have helped me better my ball control and have a good pace.”
With the efforts of the athletes working together and becoming better at their positions, comes with how they stay fit during the off-season.
Romine-Wykoff stayed fit by doing basic core training, running on the treadmill, and weight training. Johnson stayed fit by playing soccer year-round.
With this, the athletes feel like the season is going well, even though they haven’t won a game yet.
“I think the team has been hard-working, and the season will go up from where it’s at,” said Romine-Wykoff.
“I think we’re doing pretty good and are on track to do sectionals,” said Johnson.
The athletes’ goals also play a big part in getting them to where they are or want to be.
“I’d like to improve on basic skills, build up my endurance, and play different positions on the field,” said Romine-Wykoff.
“I want to score a goal on varsity,” said Johnson.
Overall the team thinks they are doing well. Since the end of the season is approaching they are trying their hardest to win a match.
The varsity Red Devils begin sectional play next week.
Girls’ soccer carries optimism into sectional play
by Sarah Jacobs
After warming up, the girls’ soccer players are split into teams to play a game of keep away. They practice their passes during a heated game. Head coach Julie Deuser advises the girls as they play.
“I think the soccer department is really going in the right direction,” said senior Jovie Golko as she reflected on her years playing soccer at JHS. She cited the new coach as a key factor as to why she is feeling optimistic about the current season.
Deuser has a history with coaching soccer, having coached and played during her college years.
“I want to have a winning season and build the team back up,” Deuser said. She believes the team has a strong core group who are familiar with one another.
Sophomore Zoe Johnson cited the team’s positive attitude as a key strength. “I think our defense is our strongest point,” said defensive player Golko.
Strong as the team may be, it’s not perfect. “We really need more girls to come out and play,” Deuser said.
Golko and Johnson believe the team’s ability to get control of the ball is its greatest weakness. If they can’t take control of the ball, it becomes harder to get scoring opportunities.
Training drills help improve these skills, though. The team trains in a variety of ways during the off season. The entire team does conditioning, but individual players have more variety in their routine. Johnson and Golko play indoor soccer separate from the school. Junior Aubrey Cummings does wrestling.
Johnson, Golko, and Cummings said their goal for the team this season is to win sectionals. With a unified goal in mind, the team, joined by their new coach, is working hard this season to achieve that win.
Soccer sectionals begin next week.
JV team contributes to varsity football team’s 2024 success
by Austin Bainbridge
Freshman former JV football player Jaxx Long trots onto the field feeling confident after his pregame rituals and a week of practice ready to help his team win the game.
“I always put the team first. I love it when we win because not just me but the whole team wins,” said Long.
Practice is four days a week and three hours long every day. Head football coach Joe Washington likes to see it go well because he puts a lot of effort into every practice and places a lot of importance on it.
“I’d say about 80% of winning games is practice because if we have a lot of talent but don’t know how to execute it we will probably fail,” said Washington.
Players also take practice very seriously, as they know of its importance. The practices throughout the week greatly impact games.
“I put in 100% effort into every play during practice because it helps me during games,” said sophomore JV player Landon Dauby.
Practice has many different activities. After all, athletes can do a lot in three hours. JV may not have the number one priority, but they get to do activities that varsity does not.
“We like to use a scout team with JV to get our varsity guys used to the other teams’ plays. Since they’re going against varsity players it can sharpen their skills. We also like to let them run our plays at the end of practice,” said Washington.
JV is often treated as a different part of the team entirely; it doesn’t usually get influenced by how the other teams play. They do get the benefit of playing against the same players they will play with on varsity in the future.
“The coaching staff doesn’t use JV as an example of how varsity will play and vice versa. We like to run more true read option plays with Little Cam. We also want to throw the ball more since our JV receivers are pretty good,” said Washington
Practice plays a large role in preparing for the week, but pregame rituals and traditions are also important. Without them, players may not be able to perform to the best of their abilities.
“Before the game, I listen to music to stay focused on what I need to do. I think it greatly helps me play to the best of my ability,” said Long.
Some people think JV has little if any purpose, but to the players it means a lot. They have a large portion of their lives centered around it and it makes them feel ready for life.
“Playing football makes me feel good; my body feels better overall, and I feel that I’m ready to do almost anything,” said Dauby.
People often don’t realize that a great amount of work goes into JV games. From Monday practice to kickoff on Saturday, players put their whole body and mind into it. They do not play football for the glitz and glamor, but for the love of the game.
“I play football because I feel better during and afterward. I love the camaraderie and brotherhood I get from the team, and I really enjoy just playing football to the best of my ability,” said Long.
Coaches share backgrounds, goals for their teams
by Ifrah Daber
With a new school year starting and seasons kicking off, many teams and coaches prepare for a year filled with hopeful achievements and golden medals. Through intense practice and hours of dedication that are put into these sports, student-athletes bring pride to JHS.
However, one must remember the coaches who built these players into the athletes they are today. A spotlight on several fall sport coaches reveals their backgrounds, interests, and goals for their Red Devil teams.
Girls’ Soccer Coach Julie Deuser
Coach Deuser is a new addition to the JHS athletic team, taking over for former soccer coach Kallee Thornton. With big shoes to fill, Deuser has come in with a strong sense of determination. She has a long history of coaching at many different schools and playing for several more herself. For example, she coached at New Albany and led her team to the IHSAA Sectional Championship in 2012.
But now, she has big goals for the JHS girls’ soccer team.
“My biggest goal for this team is to see the girls grow and learn the game. I want this team to be competitive and respected in the area. We want girls to want to come to Jeffersonville to play soccer. The program is going to be transforming over the next few years. Long term, we want to win games and championships.”
“I think she’s going to take the soccer program in a positive direction,” senior and varsity player Jovie Golko. She has been playing soccer for all four years of high school and has vocalized her faith in her new coach’s ability to lead her and the rest of the team.
Head Co-ed Swim Coach Michael Pepa
Pepa is a face many students recognize from his teaching College and Careers for many freshman classes, but he is also the head coach for the JHS award-winning swim team.
Pepa had been a swimmer for many years before he was known for his coaching abilities. He started swimming in high school and he, like many, wasn’t the best when he first started. But after swimming through high school to college, he eventually became a record-holder in his sport.
With his 30 years of experience, Pepa passes wisdom onto his students. He pushes an idea of personal best, wanting each student to reach their potential.
“I love Pepa; He’s an amazing coach who built me into the swimmer I am today,” stated Romier Hunter-Lawrence, a senior swim team member.
But even after 30 years Pepa has more plans and hopes for the new year, from strong talent new and old, and the addition of a new pool in the coming months. There is much to look forward to for the swim team in the coming years.
Volleyball Coach Wesly Briscoe
Originally Briscoe had no plans for becoming the coach we all know him as today. He originally wanted to do more of a journalistic view of sports. He was the news and sports editor when he attended Floyd Central High School. He even did radio and TV. It was when he went off and became a student at UofL, sitting around one day, when his mother gave him an offer to coach volleyball.
During the first few years of this new volleyball coaching career, Briscoe walked with a “chip on his shoulder.” He said he was coaching out of spite, but he learned to change his mentality.
His new values as a coach are that coaches should lead by example. They should strive for personal growth and push the students to be the best they can be.
“You could train like a tiger in the jungle or train like a tiger in the zoo” is one of Briscoe’s mantras about pushing himself and his students to train to be the best version.
This mantra is one any student should remember if they want to join the volleyball team in the near future. As Briscoe also shared, volleyball is not an easy sport to just pick up – it will take time and practice but the results will lead the athlete to find improvement and self-pride.
Assistant Wrestling Coach Evan Myers
Myers has been coaching at JHS his entire coaching career and similar to a past coach on the list, Myers didn’t originally plan on being a coach. He was interested in journalism, which led him to become an English teacher. Since he wrestled while in high school, along with a strong love for teaching, he took an opportunity to be a JHS wrestling coach when he heard that the position was available.
Myers said that personal responsibility is a key part of wrestling.. Unlike many other sports where athletes are surrounded by teammates on a field or court, wrestling has only the athlete and the opponent on the mat. This means each wrestler must carry the win or loss on his or her shoulders.
He added that the sport requires a lot of tough training from the strength that is required to pin another wrestler, which adds physical stress to the body.
However, this training can pay off, for example, for JHS senior Ben Land, who competed at National Tournaments, as well as for other wrestlers on the team.
“Great pain comes with great reward,” Myers said, believing that the best way to succeed is to work for it, as many of his students have done and have received the benefits.
Myers’s love for teaching, his students, and the sport drive him every year to push and grow the team. He has much hope for the upcoming year and for all the talent new and old that are in the team.
Mark Reilly Tennis Center honored at U.S. Open
by Dahlia Karey
The Mark Reilly Tennis Center was recognized this Tuesday with the prestigious 2024 Outstanding Facility Award from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) at the U.S. Open in Queens, NY.
The Mark Reilly Tennis Center is named after the former Jeffersonville High School tennis coach and teacher, who has also been inducted into the Indiana Tennis Hall of Fame. This award is in the Large Public Facilities category, one of the five offered.
The 12-court facility serves the community in a variety of ways, including programming like youth camps, tournaments, and promotion of tennis in the community. These factors pushed the Mark Reilly Tennis Center past other nominees to win the award.
Current tennis coach Jerid Inman said, “We have implemented year-round clinics for elementary through grade school students, launched an elementary tennis initiative to introduce tennis to 5000 elementary students, hosted numerous high school and college tournaments, and have continued to build the facility into one of the best in the nation for high schools.”
Principal Pam Hall traveled with Reilly, his family, and athletic director Larry Owens to New York this week to accept the award and said that it was an honor.
“I can’t think of a more iconic place to celebrate than on the hallowed grounds where the greats of the sport, Billie Jean King and Arthur Ashe, won open championships,” said Hall. “What an amazing day to be a Red Devil!”
Inman said, “A huge thank you goes out to the Jeffersonville Tennis CTA, the city of Jeffersonville, Jeffersonville High School, and the USTA for supporting the tennis program.”
The award will be displayed at the Mark Reilly Tennis Center.
Red Devil football team kicks off with stellar scrimmage
by Ifrah Daber
Let’s all give a large hooray and hurrah for a strong, entertaining scrimmage from the Red Devils football team. 
Last Friday, August 9th, our boys’ football team held a scrimmage, and there was zero disappointment in either performance or in turnout. 
“The school is doing a great job supporting the team, even though we didn’t do well last year,” Stated Raijon Laird, a senior football player who attended the Scrimmage. The Red Devils’ plan to hit the ground running this year.
The whole crowd was a sea of red and white as the school showed great pride for its Devils’ football team.
The cheers in the stadium were like waves of sound spreading across the large field.
From students, to teachers, to families coming together to show just how excited Jeffersonville High School is for this new year.
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