Archives

Steve Henke began his career in the Jennings School District in 1985 and retired in 2013 for 28 collective years.   Henke taught social studies for the first 7 years and then became a guidance counselor for the next 7 years before becoming the Athletic Director for his last 14 years.  Henke also served as an assistant football and basketball coach during his first ten years at Jennings.   His favorite memory was when the basketball team took 2nd place at the state tournament in 1993.  Henke claims his proudest accomplishment while at Jennings was when he became certified by the state.  Henke also ran the student council during his last 14 years, but wishes he could have given that sponsorship more time (which we do have in place now with Mr. Spivey being the Stu-Co sponsor).    Mr. Henke has been enjoying his retirement by taking long walks, spending time with his daughters and grandchildren and maybe even playing a little poker and eating chicken wings at the local casinos.
Steve Henke, a true Warrior legend.

Marcus Manning (1993) was a standout 3 sport student-athlete for Jennings Senior High during the early 90’s.  Marcus was loved by so many teachers and students.  His personality and overall presence and leadership landed him in positions where he serves student athletes as he became the Athletic Director of Maryville University and has moved on to the executive director of the Duhram Sports Commision in Durham North Carolina.  Marcus played on what some consider to be one of our best basketball teams in school history (1992-93).

Some of Marcus’ achievements/memories:

• 6-time varsity letter award winner
• Favorite Memory: Upsetting #1 Ranked and undefeated Priory in the 1992 3A State Football Playoffs at Jennings
• Proudest Moment: 1993 3A Basketball State Championship Game vs. St. Francis Borgia-Made 5 three-point field goals
• Suburban East-Honorable Mention All-Conference-Basketball 1993 (Guard)
• Suburban East-Honorable Mention All-Conference-Football 1991 (Quarterback)
• Suburban East-Second Team All-Conference-Football-1992 (Quarterback)
• Senior Athletic Award and Distinguished Award Winner-1993
• Other Organizations/Awards
  • Minority Opportunity Athletics Association Board Member (Current)
  • USA Cheer Advisory Board Member (Current)
  • Centenary College David Womack Leadership Award Winner (2020)
  • Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference-Chair of the Athletic Director’s Council (2018-19)
  • Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission Pride Award Winner (2019)
  • NCAA DII Regulatory Advisory Group (2017)
  • D2 Athletic Directors Association Board of Directors (2015-17)
  • NCAA DII Foundation for the Future Task Force (2016)
• Current Role: Executive Director-Durham Sports Commission (Durham, NC)

 

Mr. Mike Ferrer came to Jennings in the early 90’s where he served as  Dean of Students and also a stint with assisting with the football program.   After serving some years in the Affton school district, Mr. Ferrer becam an administrative favorite at Jennings by so many of the students during his years serving the senior high.  Mr. Ferrer retired from Jennings in 2014 and later surfaced at Vashon high school as an assistant principal and moving on to help other schools in the St. Louis Public school district.  (More info coming on Mr. Ferrer)

 

Hank Barrere came to the Jennings School District in 1980 to teach social studies and put Jennings football on the map.  With a ground and pound approach, Barrer brought Jennings to its first district title in 1984.   Hank Barrer was known as an enthusiastic classroom teacher and football coach who once used the lyrics of Billy Joel’s “We didn’t start the fire” as a final exam for his class.  Barrer hung up the whistle and his teaching career in 1994.  Barrere later emerged as an assistant Coach for Washington University and then Duchesne high school during his retirement while living in Missouri.  Coach Barrere sadly passed away on February 18th 2021.  He will always go down as one of the most cheerful hearts in the hall ways and on the grid iron at Jennings Senior High.

 

Coach Rob Harper came to the Jennings School District in the mid 80’s from the St. Genevieve School District.  Harper began teaching mathematics and served as an assistant football coach under head coach Hank Barrer.  Harper became the head football coach after Barrer’s retirement in 1994.   Coach Harper Warriors became district champions in 1998 and 1999.  Coach Harper stepped away from football in 2005 but remained teaching mathematics for the senior high until his retirement in 2015.  Rob Harper has been enjoying retirement in Ballwin Missouri with his wife Mary.

 

Darryl Williams grew up in St. Louis attending Sumner high as a standout student athlete who became a state champion in football.  Coach Williams came to Jennings in the mid 80s where he served as a hall counselor along with serving as a football coach and head track coach many of his 25+ years in the district.  If you were a student at Jennings Senior High in the past 3 decades, you know Coach Darryl Williams.  His presence in the building was unmatched as the comradery he held with student body and staff was second to none.  Coach Williams decided to retire in 2013 and spend a little more time doing handy hobby work with home improvements and riding his motorcycle.

 

John Schlereth is in his 12th year of not only serving the board and assisting in the football program at Jennings Senior High School.  John stated that seeing these young student athletes grow in to good young men is the greatest pay off in his life.  Watching his son, John Jr. excell in the Jennings school district was another joy in his life.  Most of the football players John’s son played are now in their early 30’s and when John Sr. runs in to them from time to time, they either greet him as Mr. Schlereth or Coach.

In 2008 John decided to run for School Board and won. He is in his 5th term on school board. Over years our board as done good things for the Jennings School district , getting 11.5 million dollars bond passed for capital improvements, which led to several projects….one being the turf football/soccer field.  John also recognized the hiring of two great Superintends, Dr. Tiffany Anderson and Dr. Art McCoy.  “Dr. Anderson planted the seed and direction for this School district and then we Hired Dr. Art McCoy.  These two people along with the teachers and staff have brought school district to Full Accreditation.”   John is also member of the Jennings Do-Dads that have helped out the Jennings school district with donating money to the Jennings National Honor Society that sent several students to a camp in the summer over the years, scholarships to seniors the past 6 years, and also sent money for a Baseball team that played in the summer. “I been Blessed to be part of this and seeing students grow and help them to next step in life.  I would never trade these memories for anything”.

Reggie Webb 2010  became a dominating standout defensive lineman during the football Warriors 2010 football season.  A season that was riddled with extremely close games, with several going in favor of the warriors opponent, the warriors turned it around with a district championship, then defeating St. Francis Borgia in the sectional playoff game 35-0, and then falling in the final seconds to the State runner up Warrenton in the quarterfinal round.   Webb set the Jennings Football record of 20 sacks passing Warrior legends Chris Newton and Chris Current.  In h final year at Jennings, Reggie served as a student assistant coach with the football team as his eligibility (age) had expired per the state activities association.   Reggies favorite memory is when he got 5 sacks against Normandy and was rank the #1 defensive lineman in Missouri .  Reggie was also interviewed by  kdsk for being selected the “old spice player of the year”.  When his playing career was over, Reggie earned 1st team all state 1st team all-metro honors,. old spice player of the year.. defensive player of the year, 1st team all conference  AND player of the year for the Suburban East Conference.   Reggie is now a school teacher at the Annie Malone school in the St. Louis Public School system.  Reggie has two beautiful children and will be marrying their mother next year (2021).

Check out some Reggie Webb highlights right here:  https://youtu.be/-4iJgJgIZ6Y

Chris Newton (Class of 1991) became an incredible student athlete while at Jennings Senior High.   Chris is the only Jennings football player to be named 1st Team All-Metro on both Offense and Defense.  The All-Metro write up on Chris stated “The 6-0, 230 pound Newton was in the middle of everything for the Warriors as the center and middle linebacker.  He was one of the most intense and emotional players around.  On defense, Newton had 62 tackles, 7 sacks and 4 fumble recoveries.    Along with the All-Metro honor, Chris was also All-Conference, and ALL STATE.

Chris Newton was more than just an outstanding athlete, he was an outstanding student.  Chris was the senior class president, the student body vice president, Homecoming King, and and All State band member.  His favorite memory at Jennings was the amazing goal line stand our defense executed against Berkeley in the 1991 homecoming football game in the final seconds of the game which naturally caused fans to run on the field in celebration.  Chris’s proudest moment was signing the national letter of intent to receive a full ride scholarship to Missouri Western where he played football and became a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.   Today, Chris is the Co-Host of The Jamie D and Big Newt PodCast on SB Nation.

Timothy Johnson (2000) was the team captain, middle linebacker and full back for the”back to back” 19988/1999 district champion Warriors.  Lead blocking for Marcus Patton, the single season rushing holder at Jennings, and QB Darren Brooks, Tim was somewhat of an unsung hero for Jennings football program.  In his senior season he accumulated 733 Total Yards and scored 8 Touchdowns, but it was the defensive side of the ball where his presence was most felt. Tim was a 4-year varsity starter at middle linebacker, his sophomore season (1997) vs. Hillsboro Tim set the Jennings single-game solo tackles record with 24 solo tackles tallied. Despite missing 2 games his senior year with a knee injury Tim was able to finish the season with: 121 Total Tackles, 2 Sacks, 2 Fumble Recoveries, 1 Forced Fumble, and 1 Interception which earned him St. Louis All-American, All Conference, All District, and All Metro honors at Linebacker.

For the past several seasons Tim has arranged a dinner for the Jennings football program on the Thursday evening prior to our homecoming football game.  Tim’s love for Jennings is evident with his willingness and desire to come back to the campus annually to meet and talk with our current student athletes.

Presently Tim is the General Manager and Licensed Funeral Director for his family’s business, Serenity Memorial Funeral & Cremation Service. Tim currently resides in Ballwin, MO with his wife Tara Young
(she is his high school sweetheart and a Jennings native) and their two sons, Terrell and Tasan.