Written by: Brandon Baney
It was only two years ago that the Bear Lake Bears reigned supreme, winning the state 2A championship over Firth, 14-6.
One year ago, the Bears fought tooth and nail through an injury-plagued campaign to finish 5-5 and earn a slot in the playoffs once again.
But that’s where the Bears’ magic ultimately ran out, as North Fremont galloped past Bear Lake in the opening round, 54-6.
Then the hits just kept on coming:
One of the most decorated senior classes in some time, featuring familiar two-way names like Toby Flake, Bryson Crane, Dillon Pugmire, and Rhett Llloyd graduated.
Veteran head coach Ryan Messerly turned in his retirement papers.
And the Bears found out that due to larger-than-expected enrollment numbers, they’d be moving up a level to the new Class 4A (previously 3A).
“We lost a bunch of seniors and starters,” says new head coach Houston Reynolds. “I believe we have maybe four or five returning starters on both sides of the ball.”
Those returning starters did earn All-Conference honors a year ago, albeit mostly on the defensive side of the ball.
Junior Kaden Anderson was an All-Conference defensive back in 2023. The linebackers will be led by senior Treyson Thornton and Kaleb Wiscombe, both All-Conference selections. And Seniors Kasen Warner and Chris Pratt were All-Conference defensive linemen a year ago.
With Bear Lake making the jump up to Class 4A, they’ll be one of the smaller programs in the classification. That said, many of those aforementioned players will be counted on to play on the offensive side of the ball as well.
Warner and Pratt will play on the offensive line. Thornton and Wiscombe will factor in at running back, while Anderson will line up at wide receiver. The Bears will turn the keys to the offense over to first-year starting quarterback Jack Hulme.
It’s not all doom and gloom for Bear Lake, though. In fact, Reynolds is excited to show what his team is capable of.
“We have smart, athletic kids who are genuine and earnest in their desire to improve and play well, and they have an ability to learn quickly,” says Reynolds. “I’m excited to develop team unity, culture, a winning tradition, and having our kids learn how to fight through failure.”