Written by: Brandon Baney
The Jerome Tigers took their lumps in 2022, finishing with an 0-9 overall record. They only scored 6 points per game and allowed 38 points per contest.
To make matters worse, Jerome’s lone All-Conference player, two-way lineman Keenan Blair, graduated. Then, longtime head coach Sid Gambles announced his retirement.
So, an 0-9 program loses its only All-Conference player and its head coach of 11 years? Good thing Rich Bishop is a glass-half-full kind of guy.
Jerome’s new coach is no stranger to leading a program. He served as an assistant under Gambles last year, but prior to that he was Kimberly’s head coach for nine seasons.
With a brand new voice leading Jerome for the first time in over a decade, there’s bound to be a learning curve, and Bishop admits as much. “There is still a lot to be determined as we are installing a new offense,” he said. “I’ll just say that our offense gives us the ability to be multiple in what we do and who we get the ball to.”
There’s no shortage of athletes to get the ball to on offense, whether it’s senior running backs Daniel Gill and Quentin Whitby, senior wideouts Draysin Pacheco and Xander Bingham, or sophomore tight end Maxton Hudson. Senior Abram Garcia appears to have the lead on the quarterback job, while senior Bryar James will lead the offensive line.
“Last year’s team struggled to consistently move the ball and avoid turnovers. We will work to be more consistent, hang on to the ball and be more diverse in our attack,” Bishop said.
Jerome’s defense, similar to the offense, is a puzzle that hasn’t been put together yet. “Our defense this year will give us the ability to be multiple in our approach, front looks and coverages that we show,” Bishop said.
Gill and Whitby will double as linebackers, and are joined by junior Daxton Sharp. Bingham is Jerome’s top defensive back, while James will anchor the defensive line.
Ultimately, Bishop said, Jerome’s fortunes in 2023 will rest on the shoulders of his upperclassmen. “Our senior class is excited about our program and has been leading the charge in our summer activities,” Bishop explained. “I am excited to see them use their senior season to get the program turned around and heading in the right direction.”