The ultimate test of brotherly love: C1D2 title game pits Simpher siblings against each other

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — For most families, a game of catch in the backyard is where the sibling rivalry begins and ends.

But for two brothers — Oran assistant coach Jon Simpher and Bell City head coach Justin Simpher — the stakes were much higher in the MSHSAA Class 1, District 2 Championship on Tuesday, May 16.

While the Eagles came away victorious on the diamond with a 4-0 win, both coaches couldn’t have been prouder of each other and their teams for the hard work and dedication they’ve put into their respective seasons.

Oran assistant coach Jim Simpher give Kole Burger (18) a call�during�a 4-0 win over Bell City in the MSHSAA Class, District 2 Championship at Capaha Park in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

“It’s always nice to win a district championship no matter who was on the other side,” Jon Simpher said. “We talk baseball to each other all the time and I have coached against him since I started. He has helped me a ton along the way so it’s not hard to separate personal from professional.

The brothers are from New Hamburg, Missouri, and have a deep connection to the game that extends back to their high school days at Kelly High School.

After graduation, they both went on to play college baseball, with Jon attending Westminster College and Justin attending Maple Woods Community College, Jefferson Community College and Central Methodist University.

Before arriving at their current coaching destinations, both coaches had previous stops in their coaching careers. Justin Simpher spent time two seasons as an assistant at Kelly, three years at Delta, and two seasons as an assistant at Bell City before serving as the Cubs’ head coach for the past decade.

This is Jon Simpher’s 11th season as coach. He previously spent time at Puxico and Bloomfield before arriving at Oran.

Their shared love for the game has always been a bond between them, and despite fierce competition in the district championship, the brothers remain united in their passion for the sport and their desire to inspire future generations of athletes.

“Enjoyed coaching kids and had played sports my whole life so wanted to continue to be around it,” Justin Simpher said. “We’ve been coaching against each other for a while so it’s no different really than coaching against anyone else, just trying to play good against him and win.”

Despite the intense competition on the field, both brothers emphasized they can keep their personal and professional lives separate.

“It isn’t a problem,” Justin Simpher explained. “We have a good relationship with both but professionally, we’re always trying to beat one another when we play, but we always keep the communication open when talking about baseball and new ideas.”

Even when facing off against each other in a pressure-packed game.

“We talk baseball to each other all the time,” Jon Simpher said. “I have coached against him since I started. He has helped me a ton along the way so it’s not hard to separate personal from professional. We always talk before and after games.”

As avid St. Louis Cardinals fans, they enjoy attending games together and supporting their favorite team.

However, when it comes to hunting, a healthy rival emerges between the two brothers.

“We both enjoy hunting so it’s always a competition of who will kill the biggest deer,” Jon Simpher said. “He normally wins.”

While they don’t take their competition too seriously, there is a friendly competitiveness that adds some excitement to one of their favorite hobbies.

“There aren’t really any rivalries between us,” Justin Simpher said. “We both like the Cardinals, but we do compete against each other on who can harvest the biggest deer, and I am winning.”

When asked for advice they would give a younger or new coach who may have to face off against a family member or close friend in the future, Jon Simpher said, “Be a sponge. Soak up advice from people around you that have been in the business. When coaching against a friend or family treat it like any other game and remember at the end of the day don’t let it hurt your relationship with each other.”

Justin Simpher took a more lighthearted and humorous approach with his advice.

“Give them bad advice so you can continue to try to beat them,” he joked. “But really just enjoy it because competing is fun and it adds extra spirit when it gets a family member or someone you know.”