FOOTBALL: AT A GLANCE
• Coach: Tony Davis, 15th year.
• Last season: 4-3 in SPSL North play, fourth in the division, 5-5 overall.
• Offense: Multiple.
• Defense: 3-3.
• Returning starters (Name, year, position, height/weight): Danny Bauer, sr., OL, 6-2/210; Heyden Johnson, sr., QB, 6-4/205; Josiah Anderson, sr., RB, 5-10/195; Kurt LaFranchi, sr., RB, 5-10/185; Konner Knudtsen, jr., OL, 6-3/215; Chris Marangon, sr., WR/DB, 5-11/170; Stone Connell, sr., DB, 6-1/190; Marc Ragan, sr., OLB, 6-1/205; Justin Hull, sr., ILB, 5-11/190; Jordan Rehwaldt, sr., ILB, 5-9/210; Tyler Phippen, jr., OLB, 6-0/180.
• Key newcomers (Name, year, position, height/weight): Mike Pirson, sr., DB, 5-10/170; Derek Weston, jr., OL/DL, 6-4/230; Mac Bowman, sr., WR/DB, 5-10/170; Cameron Balliett, sr., OLB/WR, 6-0/195; Justin Cloud, jr., RB, 5-7/155.
• Outlook: Though the Bears have to replace virtually their entire line on both sides of the ball, there’s plenty of talent remaining, and even more coming up from the junior varsity. Second-team all-league running back Kurt LaFranchi, along with Josiah Anderson should be a load in the backfield while quarterback Heyden Johnson, in his second year as the starter, should make a nice jump. Throw in do-it-all wide receiver/punt returner/defensive back Chris Marangon, and this is an offense that should put up some points. Defensively, the Bears lack size, but have plenty of speed to make up the difference. Health-pending, this is a group that should challenge for its fourth playoff berth in the last five years.
• Can’t-miss game: In previous years, this game wouldn’t have carried as much weight, but this season, rest assured, the Bears have Sept. 26 against Kent-Meridian circled on their calendar. Why? Look no further than last year, when the Royals upset the Bears, 14-8, in Week 6. Tahoma went on to win three of its final four games, but missed the postseason by a single victory. A win against resurgent K-M would’ve made the difference. It was the first time since 1998 that the Royals beat the Bears.
LAST FIVE YEARS
YEAR RECORD
2007 5-5
2006 10-1
2005 8-2
2004 8-3
2003 5-5
