Gus Frerotte Takes Over As Bomber Football Coach

As a longtime NFL quarterback, Gus Frerotte is aware of the excitement of having an offense which scores 600 points in 15 games.

That was the case last season with the John Burroughs' team. That prolific offense helped the Bombers to within one point of the Class 3 state championship.

Frerotte, who was the quarterback coach on that team, takes over as the Bomber head coach this fall.

"I coached my son's youth team but otherwise this is my first head coaching experience," Frerotte said. "It is really different than being an asssistant but I am excited and I think the kids are as well."

Burroughs had a memorable 2010 campaign which finished at 14-1. The Bombers scored 70 points in one game, 50 or more four times and 40 or more three other times. They defeated Dexter 42-6 in the quarterfinals and Bowling Green 16-14 in the semifinals before falling to Richmond 21-20 in the title game.

Frerotte's pupil last year, Sam Van Doren, has graduated and is now at Trinity College in Connecticut. He threw for over 3,200 yards and 42 touchdowns last year.

"It was a lot of fun to coach Sam" Frerotte said. "He was a great pocket passer and was able to spread the ball around."

Frerotte said there is a battle going on now for the starting quarterback job this fall among senior Davey Holmes, junior Peter Schnuck and sophomore Jake Wood.

There will also be holes to fill in the other skill positions. Karlos Bledsoe rushed for 927 yards and 15 touchdowns. He is now at Princeton where he is expected to play rugby.

Junior Ezekiel Elliott should start at tailback and provide big play ability. He touched the ball 27 times on carries or catches last year and scored eight times. He averaged over 23 yards on seven carries and 14 yards on 20 catches.

"Ezekiel has a little bit of everything when it comes to a running back," Frerotte said. "He was a state champ in track so he has speed but he also has power and can shake and bake."

John Burroughs had one of the best wide receivers in the St. Louis area last year in Grant Wallace. He caught 81 passes for 1,141 yards and had 24 total touchdowns. Wallace is now at Yale University.

Nathan Adams does return after catching 38 passes for an average of over 19 yards and 12 touchdowns. Foye Oluokon and Steven Trulaske should also be favorite targets for the starting quarterback.

Center Griffin Palan is back to anchor the offensive line.

"I think our offense will be a lot like last year in that it is predicated on speed," Frerotte said.

Senior linebacker Bear Kaminer returns to head up the defense. He led the Bombers in tackles last year.

The linebacking corps should be a strength as Sam Hefler and Christian Bledsoe also return to the starting lineup. Oluokon is a returning starter in the defensive backfield.

"Coach (Mark) Nicklaus does a really good job with his 3-5 defense," Frerotte said. "I expect those guys on that side of the ball to give great effort.

"I just hope that the guys study their plays, be in the right spots and listen to their coaches. If they play all four quarters and continue to get better and better every day like they have in practice that we should have a successful season."

That season begins Aug. 27 as the Bombers host Pembroke Hill.

Burroughs 2011 Schedule

Saturday, August 27, Vs Pembroke Hill, 1 p.m.

Saturday, September 3, at Principia, 1 p.m.

Saturday, September 10, vs MICDS, 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 17, vs Windsor, 1 p.m.

Saturday, September 24, at Lutheran North, 1 p.m.

Saturday, October 1, vs St. Genevieve, 2 p.m.

Thursday, October 6, at Lutheran South, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Octoberr 15, vs Confluence Prep Academy, 1 p.m.

Saturday, Octoberr 22, vs Imagine College Prep, 2 p.m.

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