A longtime member of the Columbus Junction community will get his first chance to be a head football coach this fall. Scott Simmons does bring a championship pedigree with him as he takes over the Columbus Wildcats’ program. He won three state titles in the late-90’s as the defensive coordinator of Indianapolis Cathedral High School in Indiana.

Simmons moved to Columbus Junction in 2001, spending time on Andy Everett’s staff for three seasons as the Wildcats’ defensive coordinator. A family tragedy forced Simmons to stepped away from coaching for 10 years before returning as an assistant coach for the last three years under then head coach Jeff Martin.

Simmons’ primary emphasis during fall camp has been to get his players to tackle better on defense, stating poor tackling techniques leads to big plays for the opposing team’s offense. The Wildcats are coming off their first postseason appearance since 1997, falling 55-20 to the West Branch Bears in the first round of last season’s Class 1A playoffs.

The Wildcats’ open the season on August 26, traveling to Durant for a non-district contest versus the Wildcats.