Bears tabbed last in 7AA

SPRING HILL – Spring Hill’s Bears are picked to finish last in the 7-2A conference this season.

The Bears will see their third coach in three years, which is never good for a team. However, the incoming coach is Greg Smith, who took over the helm at Prescott when the Wolves were having lean years and turned things around, setting the team up to be perennial contenders for the state AAA title. Bear fans shouldn’t be surprised to see the Bears do well as Smith is a proven motivator.

Rusty Orr has been working at quarterback in the off season, though he played receiver most of last year when the Bears went 1-8, with the lone win coming against Genoa Central.

Hayden Brown returns at running back, though he had limited carries last year he’s been doing strength training this off season and should be more of a threat this year.  Josh Baker returns in the backfield as well. Chaydon Breeding can again provide the lead blocking for the backs, with Cody Wright to see action as a running back as well.

Trenton Tipton blocks well as strong side tight end and has been working on his pass catching and route running during the off season. Dalton Gammage was the junior high top receiver and moves up to the senior squad where he’s expected to contribute. Ronin Alverez and Yancey Lee have been developing at receiver and running back.

The line will be small this year, averaging 5-11, 205. Nick Yates will anchor the line at center and is the line’s only returning starter. Wyatt Bailey and Wyatt Tyler have also worked well this spring. Jonathan Zacarias has worked at right guard, while Scott Ezell is experienced on the inside of the line and could be the starting left guard. William Bishop and Michael Flournoy have also trained at the line.

Defensively the Bears lost the entire starting front line. Bailey has been aggressive during the off season at noseguard, while Lee and Zacarias are likely to play defensive end. Breeding and Orr will be linebackers, where Breeding started every game last year and ended with 62 tackles. Orr will also see time in the secondary where he recorded a pick last year. Brown and Tipton tackle well at the corners and have improved over the summer. Gammage can play corner or safety.

The Bears will be stronger this year, but have to overcome the revolving door of coaches. Smith will be running the multiple offense and defense, and isn’t above using a bit of trickery now and then.