SEMI-PRO FOOTBALL FINALLY ARRIVES IN LOGAN, UTAH; BRINGING CONTROVERSY, HOPE AND THE RMFL’S #1 TARGET

 

Team Preview by: Jared Neumeier

 

LOGAN – As commissioner of the Rocky Mountain Football League, I can tell you that I had been contacted almost every season over the last 4 or 5 by someone who was thinking they would be starting up a new franchise in Logan, Utah. 

 

It was not, however, until the winter of 2005-2006 that ex-Rhino defensive line star, Vaea Feafia actually pulled it off, albeit with a small cloud of controversy.

 

Along with Feafia, as many as 13 other former Ogden Rhino-Raiders will also be playing for the expansion, Cache Valley Bears… a situation that, understandably, did not sit too well with their old GM.

 

Beyond, however, the intricacies of any player movement rulings, the Bears will not even be close to a prototypical expansion franchise.  The Bears will enter the league with as much semi-pro, and probably more collegiate experience than any other team in the Rocky Mountain Football League.

 

Feafia, along with co-owner, Dan Sundstrom and former Rhino offensive lineman, Charles Kano have done more than brought a franchise to the most north eastern reaches of Utah, they have constructed an automatic winner, and by my analysis, the league’s top ranked team going into the 2006 season.

 

The Bears will be so deep and so talented at the defensive line, potentially, their best defensive lineman of the bunch, Walter Feafia has even volunteered to play offensive line.  The linebackers will comprise of ex-Rhino, Mike Pierce and two right-out-of-college football linebackers along side.

 

A few more questions on offense, however, with a proven quarterback in Ryan Harris (ex-Ricks College) pulling the trigger and outside receivers, Norvel Young (the leagues most consistent, talented and accomplished receiver), ex-Weber State star, Justin DeFour and who the Bears describe as “the fasted player in the league, hands down”, Anthony Stewart, seem very capable of putting up big numbers on the scoreboard game after game.

 

The Bears will also be playing on the fast new field-turf track at Logan High School, only exaggerating their speed advantage over visiting opponents, making the Bears even more formidable.

 

Even if the Bears lose any of their 4 contested transferees to game suspensions, this will be one tough team that will be difficult to beat.  They have the talent, they have the organization, it will only be a matter of heart and dedication that will make the final difference of a 2006 RMFL Championship Game appearance for Cache Valley’s most exciting new sports addition.

 

 

OFFENSE:

 

Make no mistake, the Cache Valley Bears’ bread will likely be buttered with defense, however, this offense should definitely be good enough to sprinkle a little cinnamon-sugar on their toast.  They may not have an RMFL proven quarterback, like the Lionz, or a proven running back, like the Mustangs or even a proven offensive line, like the Rhino-Raiders, but their offense could actually end up being better than any of the above mentioned teams.  Bears quarterback, Ryan Harris, may have yet to prove himself at the semi-pro level, but he left nothing to prove at Ricks College, setting career marks in completions, completion percentage and touchdowns (51) in his two-year stint (1998-1999), he went on to be listed by Sports Illustrated as a major pick-up by Western Michigan in 2000.  Harris has the tools and will be more than willing to prove himself.  He will have perhaps the greatest wide receivers in the league with which to work with, as well.  Only Madison’s Buck Mouser and Helena’s Dave Garza have caught more passes for more yards in the last two seasons than the Bears’ Norvel Young. Not only is Young a legitmate star quality receiver, he has also never been more motivated to play football than he is now.  He has been a star wide receiver and former UFL MVP for a number of years.  Joining him will be former Weber State star, Justin DeFour and Anthony Stewart, both of which capable of stretching the field for the strong-armed Harris.  Jake Hall, 6’4, 215-lbs, cut in the same mold as Madison’s Nate Brown will revive his career that would have been at Weber State had he elected to play collegiate ball.  In the backfield with Harris, the Bears will run David Feafia, legendary running back from Utah State and local Hunter High School (West Valley City). 6’2, 225-lb, Craig Mumford is projected at full back and should help provide some additional running room for Feafia.  If Feafia is not available, the Bears would have to turn no further than either Justin Oswald or Fine Unga, both starters on the defense, but great running backs in their own rights.  The offensive line looks powerful as well.  Besides team founder, Vaea Feafia’s, brother, Walter Feafia (6’2, 300) moving over to help with the offensive line, the Bears will also have Rhino-Raider convert, the much underrated, Charles Kano (6’1, 325), both ex-Rhinos.  Also, Joel Laursen (6’2, 325) joins the team from the Brigham City Devil Dogs (2005).  Fitu Toomaalatou (6’3, 325)  will be in the trenches along with 4-year Aggie letterman, Ryan DeQuillettes (6’2, 280) forming a rather impressive front for Harris to operate.  There is just no reason to believe this offense won’t be one of, if not THE best in the RMFL. Both David Feafia and Harris had great collegiate careers, but are unproven, thusfar, in the RMFL, however, I’m expecting Dougherty-like play from Harris and even if Feafia plays up to only an average back (not likely), this offense will be almost impossible to stop. If there was a weakness at all, I could only say that I’m not sure how this offense would run if Harris is injured.  Dan Sundstrom, Josh Miller and David Grant are listed as potential back-ups. There would likely be a pretty good drop off to the next guy. Of course, there are few teams in the RMFL where that isn’t true .  Projected Offensive Rank: 2nd .

 

DEFENSE:

 

Similar to the Rhino-Raiders preview, I would suggest that IF this team does get regular play from all of the players listed to play and to start for the franchise in 2006, this WILL be the best defense in the RMFL… bar none.  This defensive line could consist of the following players: Ends: Justin Oswald (6’0, 235) and Tyler Olsen (6’0, 220). Olsen is a two-year starter at Utah State only two years ago.  At defensive tackle, you could see a Feafia family reunion with Vaea, Walter and Amos Feafia (5’11, 300), and you also have another two-year Aggie Starter in Liua Fonua (6’2, 320) that the Bears do project to start along the front.  Remember, the Bears are so deep, Walter is able to play offensive line.  Shane Dooley also figures to be in the defensive line mix and can play either defensive tackle or defensive end in what will likely be a base 5-2 set. Opposing quarterback just shouldn’t count on having a lot of time to throw against this group, no matter who is on the field.  The linebackers look to be just as good.  Joining former Rhino-Raider standout, Mike Pierce (MB), will be a pair of ex-Aggies in Matt Wiser, who lead the Aggies in tackles AND sacks in 2005 and D.J. Bookster who also played for the Aggies last season.  With such a front 7 (or 8), the Bears secondary will not have to be as good as they should be able to play aggressively with the knowledge that the oppositions quarterbacks will never have a lot of time to throw.  Sean Healy, former Aggie and Utah Blitz player comes to the team at cornerback along with Andre Bala, also fresh from last season’s USU team as a legitimate shut down corner.  Mike Cowley will play the strong safety position where he lead his collegiate team, Southern Virginia as the teams defensive MVP, not only for the team, but the league.  Long-time stalwart, Fine Unga is expected to play the free safety position and lay some wood on anyone that doesn’t get brought down by one of the other 11.  The Bears also have Darce Afuvai, (6’2, 300 – defensive tackle) from the Univesity of Oregon, and ex-Aggies, Kenyatta Green (LB) and Laron Bond, a 240-pound safety available as depth and support for a very solid defensive team.  There are some very solid defenses in the RMFL, but if these players that are projected by the Bears are actually on the field, this defense will make trouble for absolutely every team they face.  Projected Defensive Rank: 1st

 

COACHING AND INTANGIBLES:

 

So there it is. The RMFL’s 2006 “team to beat”.  Make no mistake, however, as good as this team sounds and looks on paper, they have yet to prove they are champions on the field  It would be interesting to see this team as they gel into a unit play against the Rhino-Raiders in their prime.  An impossible task since we can’t re—set father time AND because a lot of these guys would be playing themselves.  There is enough parity, tough games and variables that this team is far from a shoe in for the championship.  They will play a solid Mustang team at home, a Roughrider team on the road for their first game, and, oh by the way… a very motivated group in their 4th week of the season.  Yes, the Rhino-Raiders loom on their schedule and both teams will have a score to settle with the other.  That will be one game worth driving 680 miles to see. Regardless of that game, there are no breathers in anyone’s schedule and a key injury at the quarterback position could doom the Bears at any time.  Still, no matter how the offense does, I can’t help but think that this defense will be the real deal and win games with or without great offensive support. I think a new era has arrived and it may just be that the Championship trophy will be won or lost in Cache Valley, Utah.

 

OVERALL RANKING: 1st