Bear Lake Bears football team ready for challenging season ahead

MONTPELIER — With only five returning starters, the 2023 season proved to be a struggle for the Bear Lake High School Bears football team.

The difficult season gave many opportunities for the younger players to step up and shine and in the end the team achieved a 5-5 record.

But considering the Bears went from winning the 2A state championship in 2022 to suffering a state quarterfinals loss to North Fremont last year, it was tough for the team to feel good about its performance.

The 2024 Bears are more than determined to get back into the state title hunt and they'll be relying on the experience they gained last season to take them to that next level.

But some of that experience has already left the team in the form of the 12 senior players who graduated.

The team also changed divisions due to the reclassification of Idaho high school sports and has a new head coach.

The Bears moved up a division, returning them to a crowd of teams they have seen before. This isn’t their first time moving up and facing the likes of Marsh Valley and Snake River.

Undoubtedly it will be a tougher season in the 4A division but the Bears — and their new head coach Houston Reynolds — say they are ready.

Reynolds formerly played football at Brigham Young University while earning his bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology. He believes he has quite the skilled background to lead the Bears to a successful 2024 season.

The team of assistant coaches aiding Reynolds includes Nate Andersen, Eric Bomsta, Chris Clausing, Cameron Crane, Jaden Crane, Mason Garbett, Pat Johnson, Colin Maughan and Nate Wuthrich.

With the new coaches come new ideas and plays, but the Bears are also emphasizing execution and toughness as the season looms.

Reynolds said, “We have many new coaches and are implementing a new offense and defense. With so much new, it will take time but we expect it to come together for us down the stretch.”

A few two-way players who will be key for the Bears this season are the "K crew" — Kaden, Kalob and Kasin, all returning starters with big expectations.

Kaden Andersen is expected to make many big plays this season as a cornerback and wide receiver, Kalob Wiscombe will be seen playing both middle linebacker and running back, and Kasin Warner is anticipated to be another dual position threat.

All three were named all-league players last season, along with some of the Bears' other weapons — Treysen Thornton, Tony Nomikos and Kegan Salerno.

Those six represent all the Bears' returning starters, making the jump to 4A seem even more daunting.

But the team is hoping its will to win makes the difference.

Reynolds said, "We expect our boys to show up every week and compete. We know we have a tough schedule ahead but our boys and coaches are excited for the challenge.”