The Oakville Tigers enter the 2025 football season with confidence, speed and a bond that head coach Michael Genge believes will define the program this fall.
Last year, the Tigers finished 5-6 overall and 3-2 in Suburban Conference Orange play, highlighted by big wins over Mehlville (35–27), Webster Groves (35–14) and a playoff victory over Northwest (28–7). While the season ended short of a district title, the foundation was laid for a team determined to take the next step.
According to Genge, the offseason was one of growth and commitment.
“The offseason has been good for us. The boys trained really hard, and our team speed is at an all-time high from so many guys running track,” Genge said.
The Tigers tested themselves in a variety of settings, competing in the Summit/Eureka Thud Camp, DeSmet’s 7-on-7 and the Kirkwood 7-on-7 tournament, where they placed in the top four. Oakville also hosted a contact camp and held thud practices with Vianney and Festus.
While Oakville may not boast the biggest roster in terms of player size, Genge believes the team’s athleticism more than compensates.
“We aren’t the biggest team, but we make up for it with the quality of our athletes,” he said.
The Tigers will lean heavily on a deep group of returning varsity players, led by quarterback Max Bradley, a three-year starter who directs the offense. Joining him are playmakers Jacob Banes (RB/S), Gavyn Anderson (LB/RB), Jonathan Ysaguirre (LB/RB) and Jack Delzeit (DB), along with linemen AJ Nickles, Will Huerman and Sean Meyer anchoring the trenches.
Defensively, Oakville expects speed to be a difference-maker.
“This is as fast a defense as we’ve ever had,” Genge said.
The Tigers also boast a 29-member Leadership Council, a group the coaching staff has emphasized in recent years.
“We have worked hard to turn this into a player-led team,” Genge explained. “Leadership and chemistry are our biggest strengths.”
The future looks bright as well, with underclassmen poised to step into key roles. Among those to watch are juniors Max Simokatis, Jackson Oettle, Colin Piechonski and Eli Oettle, along with sophomores Aiden Duncan and Eli Teal.
Simokatis, in particular, has earned praise from Genge as a “quiet difference-maker” at wide receiver. Running back Malik Dawkins and linebacker Carson Matlock are also expected to provide impact beyond the stat sheet.
While returning players such as Bradley, Banes and Anderson are expected to carry the load in 2025, last season’s team was powered by a strong rushing attack. Darrion Moore led the way with 1,101 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns, while Javon Henderson added 776 rushing yards and 5 scores.
In the passing game, Henderson and Brendan Jost combined for over 600 yards through the air. Receiver Jaron Henderson finished with 425 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Those numbers, paired with returning experience at nearly every position, give Oakville a balanced attack heading into the new campaign.
Oakville’s short-term goals are clear: post a winning record, contend for a conference title, reach the district championship, and flip outcomes in games that have slipped away in the past. Long term, Genge is focused on sustaining a culture that goes beyond Friday nights.
“Success for us is making sure we take care of what we can control every week,” Genge said. “This is a group that just loves high school football. They love each other, they love the game and they know you only get one chance to play it.”