High school football season preview: Bellarmine Prep Lions
The high school football season begins in early September and The News Tribune has been all over the South Sound, visiting local programs at practices before games begin. Up next, we’re previewing a handful of teams individually before the season kicks off.
Here’s how things are shaping up for the Bellarmine Prep Lions this fall.
Editor’s note: The “outlook” section for each program is pulled from the TNT’s preseason practice tour. Find the full practice tour story here, complete with insight on over 20 teams in the area, quotes, photos, videos and more.
BELLARMINE PREP LIONS
Head coach: Brian Jensen, 11th year
2024 results: 6-4, first round of Class 3A playoffs
Offensive coordinator & base scheme: Brian Jensen, Multiple
Defensive coordinator & base scheme: Dan Shaw, Odd/Multiple
OUTLOOK
For the Lions this fall, it all starts with 6-foot-5 senior QB and second-year starter Birk Johnston.
“I expect a lot from Birk, and he does himself, too,” Bellarmine coach Brian Jensen said. “He has a high standard. He’s kind of an under-the-radar guy.”
With a hot start, the senior signal caller may not fly under the radar for long. Johnston said he feels confident heading into the season.
“I just feel more in control in the offense,” he said. “I feel like I can read the defense better, you know, pick the right play, call the right audible. I’m just really excited for this to come together, all the work we’ve been putting in at workouts to come together this season.”
Bellarmine doesn’t have a roster littered with Division I recruits and plays in a tough division with Lincoln and Mount Tahoma, two programs that advanced to the Class 3A state tournament quarterfinals a season ago. But there’s a quiet confidence with this year’s group and a solid belief that it is a playoff team.
“I think we have a very athletic linemen group this year that’s able to make plays, get out and block,” Johnston said. “Our receiver group is definitely deep this year.”
The Lions return four starters on offense and four on defense. Sophomore OL Cody Coovert returns, as does senior receiver Hunter Goodsell. Sophomore RB/LB Josiah Moekle, who started as a freshman last season, should be a difference maker on both sides of the ball.
“He’s grown so much, gotten so much faster, bigger, stronger,” Johnston said. “I’m really excited. I feel like we’re gonna have a more potent run game this year, be able to do whatever we want on offense, especially with him.”
And that will be the key for this offense: being balanced.
“We have to run the ball,” Jensen said. “It takes stuff off of Birk. I want to be able to run and play action. It’s no secret.”
Defensively, the linebackers should be solid, with Moekle returning alongside sophomore Casey Gebauer. Bellarmine opens the season at home against 4A SPSL opponent Rogers, 7 p.m. on Sept. 5 at Memorial Field.
KEY PLAYERS
QB Birk Johnston, sr.
OL Cody Coovert, soph.
WR Hunter Goodsell, sr.
OL Sam Hunter, sr.
LB Josiah Moekle, soph.
LB Casey Gebauer, soph.
DL Lius Uc, sr.
DB Seth Coovert, sr.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 5: vs. Rogers
Sept. 12: vs. Auburn
Sept. 19: at Kelso
Sept. 26: vs. Silas
Oct. 2: at Central Kitsap
Oct. 10: at Mount Tahoma
Oct. 17: vs. Lincoln
Oct. 24: vs. Gig Harbor
This story was originally published September 3, 2025 at 5:22 PM.
