KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Rockhurst will host Raymore-Peculiar in its season opener Friday as the high school football season kicks off in Missouri.
Long-time Hawklets coach Tony Severino retired after last season, his 37th at the helm.
After 20 seasons at Blue Springs, Kelly Donohoe has taken over as coach of the Rockhurst program, which won seven state titles under Severino.
“I told the kids, I sure hope they see me as the Rockhurst head coach and not the old Blue Springs head coach," Donohoe said.
The Wildcats and Hawklets formed a fierce rivalry, so Donohoe has gone from rival to leader. He also knows the pressure to perform in taking over for a legendary coach.
“I just don’t want to screw it up," Donohoe said. "Geez, who takes over for a guy like Tony Severino after 37 years?"
Donhoe, who won four state championships at Blue Springs, was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2019, joining Severino, who was inducted in 2018.
Donohoe went 191-53 in his 20 seasons with the Wildcats, winning the most games among all Missouri large-class programs during that span.
“It’s different because you come from a place where you’ve been for so long, but it’s been really exciting," Donohoe said of changing schools and programs. "It’s a new challenge, which we all need."
