Bear River Bears preview

COACH: In five years as Bear River's head coach, Chris Wise — a former Bear River all-stater — has three state titles to his credit in 2003, 2004 and 2006.

KEY PLAYERS: Whenever the Bears have been successful under Wise, it's because they've had a solid defense but excellent ball carriers as well going back to Jason Zundel in 2003 and 2004. This year, the three primary runners are all underclassmen. Quarterback James Taylor, along with running backs Hayden Haddock and Peyton Wells will need to find a way to get the job running behind a junior-dominated offensive line if the Bears are to be successful.

QUESTION MARK: It's probably good that only three starters return from last year's one-win team from a mentality standpoint. At the same time it means Bear River is going to be young and inexperienced. The team's entire offense will be underclassmen while a good chunk of defensive starters will be young as well. There will most definitely be a learning curve in the preseason.

LAST YEAR: 1-10, missed the playoffs.

PREDICTED REGION 11 FINISH: Third.

POSTSEASON POSSIBILITIES: Don't expect 33 injuries this year, therefore don't expect Bear River to miss the playoffs again either. In a region with 3A favorite Logan, a second-place finish in Region 11 seems like an attainable goal and in the playoffs anything beyond a semifinal appearance would be considered exceeding expectations.

2008 SCHEDULE

Aug. 22 — at Cedar, 7 p.m.

Aug. 29 — at ALA, 7 p.m.

Sept. 5 — BOX ELDER, 7 p.m.

Sept. 12 — RAYMOND, CANADA, 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 — BYE

Sept. 26 — at Ben Lomond, 7 p.m.

Oct. 3 — at Grantsville, 7 p.m.

Oct. 10 — OGDEN, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 — at Morgan, 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 — LOGAN, 7 p.m.

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com