The Jefferson Bears came into last season with high hopes and plans on competing for a league title. The season ended with a disappointing 4-5 record for the second consecutive season as the Bears gave up over 28 points a game. The Bears graduated 19 seniors from last season’s squad including all league players; Brian McCullough, Jake Kuehnlein, Matt Hall, Jim Bechard, Jake Sterling and Travis Leonard.
Not much will change offensively for the Bears this season as Marc Cisco enters his 46th season at the helm. The Bears will look to be physical and run the ball as much as possible. Troy Hart figures to lead the Bear offense with Mike Caswell being a weapon in the passing game.
Defensively the Bears must find a way to stop other teams from scoring if they hope to stay out of the league basement for the first time in 3o years. Jefferson will be led by defensive lineman Kyle Fudoli but much of the defense will be inexperienced.
Jefferson will depend on a lot of underclassmen this season and will have to grow up quick if the Bears hope to have a winning season. Jefferson plays Tecumseh in the opener which finished 2-7 last season. The Bears won last season’s game 21-14.
RE: "Jefferson lost a ton of good players indeed, but so did SMCC. But you are not going to put SMCC near the bottom of your list, are you? Go watch CC practice. I did for 3 days, and they are not impressive at all. They have a great coach, but that's it. Don't judge what CC did last year, because that team of players will not be taking the field this season. They are gone! Smaller, slower guys are filling the big gaps left with this years graduation losses. Stop the trap, and you stop CC cold. No big guys making holes this year. They better learn to pass more often. And by the looks in practice, they cant do that very well either."
SMCC 2010 O-LINE: TE to TE 210-210-210-235-225-260-190
SMCC 2011 O-LINE: TE to TE 190-215-205-200-205-280-205.
If you look at those numbers the CC line is 5.4 pound lighter per man. Cant really see that making a big difference.
I will venture to say that the Falcons will lead the league in rushing and be very good once more.
-bn
Jefferson lost a ton of good players indeed, but so did SMCC. But you are not going to put SMCC near the bottom of your list, are you? Go watch CC practice. I did for 3 days, and they are not impressive at all. They have a great coach, but that's it. Don't judge what CC did last year, because that team of players will not be taking the field this season. They are gone! Smaller, slower guys are filling the big gaps left with this years graduation losses. Stop the trap, and you stop CC cold. No big guys making holes this year. They better learn to pass more often. And by the looks in practice, they cant do that very well either.
You hit it right on the head Chris"You need complete buy in to run Cisco's system. Maybe that wasn't all there last season."
The team looks small this season and looked terrible in the scrimmage.Turned the ball over a ton. Who knows where they are gonna go this season. I don't see a leader in the team. I did see they brought up some soph's. It will be a intresting year thats for sure. I sure hope they have some tricks up their sleeve. Can't wait to see what they got Friday night.
Hmmm I don't know. Cc got beat up by Crockett last year and then on to beat it's next 4 opponents 166-20. You typically do not want to be the next team after a tough loss or getting beaten up. If it's possible injuries you are talking about, that's not really something that should be counted on. With all that being said, it is a nice matchup in wk 2 regardless of what happens in wk 1.
– bn
That could also be a bad thing Chris.
Quite frankly I think 1-8 could be a toss up. There are just so many uncertainties.
An intriguing matchup could be Huron/SMCC in week 2, especially if the Falcons get beat up by Plymouth. Week 1. Saturday game for Falcons followed up by a week 2 Thursday game at Huron.
OK, I'll bite….
8 – Jeff
7 – Huron
6 – FR
5 – View
4 – Milan
3 – Air
2 – GI
1 – CC
To be honest I really believe 4-8 could all swap. 2-3 could also be a toss-up (Airs O and GIs D will be the decider). Same coach, same system, same excellence at the top.
Week 1 will be VERY telling.
SITOFN
You might be right about addition from subtraction. I certainly do not think the bears will finish last but we shall see.
-bn
I have given things away a bit but I have some surprises.
I could be wrong on Jefferson but they lost a ton from last season. Maybe their looking at addition by subtraction.
You need complete buy in to run Cisco's system. Maybe that wasn't all there last season.
Who knows?
Let's see how well I know our blog master. My prediction of chris' predictions.
8. Jefferson(duh)
7. Flat Rock
6. Milan
5. Riverview
4. Huron
3. GI
2. Airport
1. SMCC
He may swap 5 and 6 but I believe he will go with the proven coach. If he puts Milan in top 4 I might gag a bit.
-bn
i think they will show some Bear pride….they have some silent weapons that may surprise everyone…look for Sandor, Jennings, and Bosanic to be the play makers!!!
46 years!
-bn
Airport
SMCC
GI
Flat Rock
Milan
Huron
Riverview
Jefferson