CACHE VALLEY BEARS LOOKING TO COME OUT OF RMFL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WITH A WIN IN 2008

Team Preview by: David Sire

LOGAN – This time last season the Cache Valley Bears were looking towards the RMFL AAA championship. They lost in one of the best games of the year to the Rhino-Raiders. The Bears prepare for the 2008 campaign with one goal in mind – to move to the next level. And the “next level” for this team would be not just getting to the championship game but winning the RMFL AAA Championship game.

Returning as the number 2 ranked offense in the league last year, Da Bears look to be even better this year. Quarterbacks Caleb Eastmam and teammate Ryan Harris return as the number #1 and #2 ranked passers in the league. Also returning will be tailback Nate Jackson and fullback Peter Shields. Joining them will be tailback Clay Denton (SUU). Da Bears will have two of the better receivers in the league in returning Norvel Young and fastest man in the league Anthony Stewart. Joining them at wide receiver will be Blake Garrett and at tight end Ben Moa (U of U). Da Bears return their O-line almost fully intact with Cory Pence (Iowa State), Jimmy Walker (USU), Adam Kennedy (Snow), and Raef Maughan (Snow). Joining them this year at tackle will be Jeff Barbie (SUU). This year’s place kicker will be the Chase McMurdie. Expect this offense to again be up near the top of the league in yards and points in 2008.

This team is built around its defense with the #1 ranked defense in 2006 and the #2 ranked defense in 2007. However, unlike the offense, there have been significant changes on defense. Although most of last year’s projected starters return to the team, this year’s starting lineup will be significantly different. The defense will be anchored by a D-line of Walter and Vaea Fiefia. Joining them will be Amos Fiefia who is returning from last year’s suspension. Completing the D-line will be Ben Crossland (USU and former player of the year in the Big West). The linebacking core will return Dan Sundstrom. Joining him will be Havali Reeves (WSU), Walter Nickels (Iowa State), and Levine Tupe (ex- Rhino-Raider). The secondary will feature Chase Harris (USU), Alan Jacobsen (SUU), Nate Tuitagaloa (SUU), and hard-hitting former Rhino-Raider Jay Tupe. With as outstanding a defense as the Da Bears have, the Rhino-Raides Justin Oswald rushed for 161 yards against them in the championship game allowing the Rhino-Raiders to dominate the clock at the end of the game. Was this just a superior team outperforming Da Bears? Was this just a fluke game for both the Rhino-Raiders and Da Bears? Was this just an off game for the Bears defense? Expect teams to test Da Bears run defense early and often this season. Time will tell the true strength of this defense.

And if that cast on offensive and defensive players isn’t enough, Da Bears have depth at all positions and the team least affected by an injury to any one player, even at quarterback. Adding to Da Bears advantage is that they play two of the other top three teams at home hosting both the Wolverines and the Heat. Possibly their toughest game will be a road trip against the Mustangs.

No team in the AAA RMFL is invincible. I can predict with a high degree of confidence that we will never again see an 80 game league winning streak. But this team comes as close as any to having that potential. The only thing I see hurting them this year is an over desire to win the championship. This could be the one thing that plays against them.

OVERALL RANKING: 1^st