High School Football Fall Camp Preview: Bishop Kelley Looks To Build Off Last Season's Playoff Appearance

JJ Tappana enters his 20th season as head coach here at Bishop Kelley. The longest tenured coach in 5A needs just four wins to reach 150 career victories, and is looking to lead to Comets to a deep postseason run this fall.

"Top to bottom, we're different. The game's evolved a lot over the games. And you know I've had to evolve a lot. But kids are still kids," says Tappana.

Comets head coach JJ Tappana takes another group of kids into the 2025 season, looking to build off of last season's playoff appearance.

"We just want to focus on this year. Last year's done. I tell every team at midnight of that last game, win or lose, the very last one, this team is over. That was last year's team with different guys on it. This is this year, so it's a new, fresh beginning for us," says Tappana.

Tappana will be leaning on a lot of experience on the offensive side of the ball, especially the offensive line that is being coached by new assistant David Alexander.

"He's just been doing an incredible job for us, so we're excited for the impact he's going to have on us. Our quarterback situation seems settled. The running back situation seems pretty good. We feel good where we're at offensively," says Tappana.

For Tappana, the key to a deep run in the playoffs starts by avoiding the injury bug.

"When you're at week ten and you're pretty healthy with all your guys, you've got a shot to make a little bit of a run. These are a good group of guys; we've been together all summer. They've got a lot of resilience about them, but who knows how they'll be when the lights come on. Obviously I want to see us 14-0 and in a state title game, but ultimately, I just want to see us healthy and I want to see us have a great year with a lot of great memories."

The Comets open the season September 5th at rival Bishop McGuinness in the annual Battle for the Shillelagh.