Bernards head coach Jon Simoneau (File photo)
Bernards is already 4-0, but after its 3-0 start to the 2023 high school football season, head coach Jon Simoneau was named Coach of the Week in the tri-state-area by the New York Jets of the NFL.
The program by the Jets and Gatorade is to recognize each week “a coach in the tri-state area who serves the best interests of the game through the teaching of sound football fundamentals, the motivation of young players to achieve, and the promotion of youth football by way of dedication to his community, his school and his student-athletes.”
Jon Simoneau from Bernards HS is our High School Coach of the Week!
— New York Jets Community Relations (@NYJetsCR) September 14, 2023
Coach Simoneau has started off the season 3-0, earning his 100th career victory in Week 1 of the season against Hillside. In three games, Bernards has outscored their opponents a combined 117-25. The… pic.twitter.com/cTGvLszWxp
Bernards is now off to a 4-0 start for the first time since 2014, when the Mountaineers started 7-0 and finished at 8-2, with an opening round playoff loss to Lincoln. Quarterback Connor Laverty – a four-year starter who also trains with Matt Bastardi at CJSR sponsor Elite QB Football Training Academy – has thrown for 536 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions, while Bernards has three players each with at last 100 receiving yards, while three others have at least 100 rushing yards, including Laverty himself, who has rushed for 178 yards and five scores.
Bernards opened with a pair of road wins, 47-6 over Jefferson and 28-12 over Hillside. They are in the midst of a three-game homestand, winning the first two 42-7 over South River, and Thursday night 3-06 over Voorhees.
The Mounties have outscored their opponents 147-31 in their first four games.
They’ll close out the homestand next Friday night at home against Delaware Valley with the Big Central Conference’s Patriot Gold Division title on the line.
READ MORE: Click here for the story on Simoneau’s honor on the Jets website.
According to the Jets website, each winner gets a $2,000 check for their football program. A coach of the Year also is chosen at the end of the season, getting $4,000 and a Gatorade cooler cart from the Jets and Gatorade.
Click below to hear Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko talk with Jets High School Coach of the Week Jon Simoneau of Bernards: