Bears Focused on Growth—Set to open at Harned on the 22nd

 

 

By Greg Moore

Banner Sports Editor

 

BCHS Head Football Coach Josh Robins continues to pour confidence into his players to perform in a role some have had limited opportunity, if any at all. Coach Robins has to formulate a new era of Bears into some critical positions within his team’s offense and defense this season after graduating a talented class during his first year at Butler County.

First and foremost, who is going to take the reins for Coach Ryan Emmick’s offense at the quarterback position? Replacing Garrett Phelps, who was the primary offense through the air and on the ground last year, is a daunting task; and it’s not really possible. Just preparing a quarterback at becoming comfortable with the snaps and delivering the ball is something this team needs immediately, let alone, think about replacing a player of Phelps’ caliber.

Freshman signal caller, Brody Dockery, who has worked uncompromisingly during the offseason, took his first varsity snaps in last Friday’s controlled scrimmage at Warren Central. Not much was to be obtained from a statistical standpoint as the Dragons’ defense repeatedly swarmed the ball to corral Butler County’s offense within their own territory all throughout. However, maturation in the moment is what many of these youngsters, like Dockery, need in order to perform when it counts.

Dockery did complete some short routes and the offense churned out nearly a half-dozen or so first downs in their three series on offense, each consisting of ten plays. Catching a few of those was junior receiver Cainan Vincent, who expects to build on a solid sophomore campaign. Sophomore Kaiden Richardson and junior Kevin Robins both picked up some yardage and first downs, also.

 

 

Senior Jett Johnson and sophomore Drake Bratcher both got looks in the offensive sets and stayed busy on defense, too. Bratcher, who played cornerback, had a difficult task of staying with some speedsters on the edge for the Dragons, but was in position to make some plays. Both Johnson and Bratcher made tackles to assist the leading tackler, Robins, who led the Bears in tackles last year.

Senior safety, Clay Steff, who like Johnson, has a full year of defense under his belt, came flying to the ball many times to make several stops, also. Another contributor at the second level was sophomore linebacker, Brock Henderson. The backend of the defense will continue to step up for Coach Robins as they learn to perform as a group.

 

 

Junior safety Maddox Moore going down with a season-ending ACL injury is critical for the Bears, especially from a cognitive standpoint. While Moore had some lofty expectations on the offensive side of the ball, his sure tackling and ability to recognize what the opponent is trying to do will be missed sorely on defense. Coach Robins will continue to rely on several stepping up, as they did Friday.

Hopefully, the Bears will get a look at junior quarterback/receiver, Carson Davis, who did not participate at Central, at Muhlenberg County this Friday. Davis, who excelled in passing the ball at the middle school level, is an exceptional athlete. He will help the Bears catching, passing, running the football, or whatever is asked of him, for that matter.

It will be a process of development with this team at many positions, especially at QB. It should be interesting how the position plays out. Dockery and Davis may split the duties, which allows the coach to play to their other strengths. Each of them could be valuable in the secondary on defense, also.

In the trenches at Central, the linemen played well for the Bears; optimistically, that will be a strength throughout the season. Bears staff will have a lot to evaluate in the little bit of football they have got to experience. Working through the film and finding areas to improve is what it is all about. Cleaning those areas up and thriving to make them strengths will be paramount in order for the team to build on last year’s one-win season.

The first game of regular season is almost a week away when the team travels to Breckinridge County to open. The Tigers, who have not had a winning season since 2019, are hungry and improving, much like the Bears. For now, the Bears look to improve this week at Muhlenberg High.