The Tahoma Bears closed out the regular football season Thursday with a 24-17 loss at Graham-Kapowsin, a nonleague game.

The Bears ended the season with a 3-5 South Puget Sound League 4A, North Division record and a 3-6 record overall.

Tahoma should end up in sixth place in the league, missing the playoffs, but the team has many bright spots for next year.

Although the team will be losing their talented quarterback, Travis Montoya, running back Niko Madison will return as a senior and should make a dramatic impact on the league.

Also returning to carry the ball for the Bears will be Jeff Thompson, also a senior next year.

The Bears played competitively in every game, with big wins coming over Jefferson and Auburn Riverside in the second week to start the season 2-0. A loss to Kentwood in the third game of the season hurt the team’s run for the playoffs.

The Bears appear to have Kentwood on the ropes after giving up two quick touchdowns in the first quarter. Tahoma regrouped and shut the Conks out for the next two quarters and tied the game, but in the fourth Kentwood finally scored to take the winning margin.

Despite the loss the Bears showed they had the heart to compete, and next year the team should be a contender.

Against Graham-Kapowsin, Barrett Weston kicked a 20-yard field goal and Tyler Phippen ran for a 5-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

Madison scored the final six from 2-yards out and Weston kicked the extra point.