Bear River football preview: Jones, Anderson and others ready to push rebuild to next level
Bears demanded more in the weight room this summer
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- Players go through a contact drill during a preseason practice on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Bear River.
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- Bear River senior Tydon Jones carries the ball during a preseason practice on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Bear River.
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- Bear River junior Jaxson Theurer (10) celebrates with a teammate during a preseason practice on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Bear River.
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- Bear River senior Max Anderson takes off during a preseason practice on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Bear River.
GARLAND — Trampis Waite’s soon to embark on his third season rebuilding football at Bear River, but a rigorous offseason and an experienced group of returning stars are both reasons for the Bears to break the mold this fall.
Bear River hasn’t seen a winning season since 2017, well before Waite’s arrival from Eagle Point High School in Oregon. In his second season, the Bears improved by one win to 4-8 (1-4 Region 11) but dropped six of their last seven matchups.
Up to 95 players from 82 a season ago, Waite accomplished half of his wishes by inspiring more students to try out. The other side of the coin: sticking them in the weight room this summer and getting his team physically ready to take the next step.
“We wanted to get a lot stronger,” Waite said. “We had a big offseason in the weight room. We tried to build our numbers a little bit more… We’ve got to compete with those bigger schools in the Logan area, so we wanted to hit (this) summer running with team camp and all that stuff.”
Unlike the weight room regiment, Bear River’s staff remains plenty familiar. Assistant coaches Carl Sutherland, Christopher Ellis and Donald Hawes are all set to return to the sideline.
Most of the Bears’ depth chart returns familiar names as well. The one exception is at quarterback, with junior Jaxson Theurer slated to fill the shoes of Owen Olsen (2,832 yards) this season. As a sophomore, Theurer completed two passes for 8 yards.
This challenge, however, excited Waite about his offense. The Bears retain most of their lineman from 2023, including senior center Max Anderson (C/Flex) on both sides of the ball, to help calm the storm around their new gunslinger.
“It makes it easier, especially with a new quarterback and getting him comfortable,” Waite said. “We have a lot of faith in the line because they had a lot of reps last year, so we’re going to get in a little bit and find some new weapons for us.”
Senior running back Tydon Jones (RB/WR/MLB), rushing for 804 yards and 10 touchdowns during his junior year, also completes a large chunk of the Bears’ puzzle. Junior Quaid Murray (RB/SS) and sophomore Glaiden Behrens are also set to help out of the backfield.
Senior Tatum Stephens, sophomore Tyce Capener and sophomore newcomer Riley Bingham will join Jones in completing Bear River’s receiver corps. Only Jones and Stephens return any varsity experience at receiver, however.
Asked about this year’s group of playmakers, Jones said the depth chart alone should have fans excited for Friday nights.
“I think every year is a little different,” Jones said. “Some years we’ve had really strong runners, other years we’ve had a good line and good throwers. I haven’t really seen what this group can do yet, but I’m really excited for what they can (do) and I know we can do great things.”
Bear River’s multiplicity allows for several big names on the defensive side of the ball, too. Seniors Daxston Stephens (CB/OLB) and Gunner Christensen (FS/SS) are set to help fill in gaps with Anderson everywhere from linebacker to the secondary.
Anderson feels the Bear River staff has earned the team’s trust when it comes to doubling up assignments and making adjustments on the fly.
“It’s been a really good environment,” Anderson said. “We love the coaches, they’re super smart guys and are guys that been through it. They know what’s best for us and the team and what we need to do to have the right guys in the right spots come game time.”
With many of his third-year players now seniors, Waite’s picture for Bear River is clearer than it’s ever been. The head coach said his program is starting to reap the rewards of the past two years during fall camp.
“We have more of an identity as a team than we had the last two years,” Waite said. “We’re starting to get to who we actually are, which is pretty exciting.”
BEAR RIVER NOTES
Last season: 4-8, 1-4 Region 11
Head coach: Trampis Waite (Third season at Bear River)
Players to watch:
• Tydon Jones, RB/WR/MLB, Senior; 165 carries, 804 yards, 10 TDs, 51 tackles, 3.0 sacks
• Quaid Murray, RB/SS, Junior; 8 carries, 68 yards, 13 tackles
• Tatum Stephens, WR/DB, Senior; 1 reception, 45 yards,
• Jaxson Theurer, QB, Junior; 2 completions, 8 yards, 1 INT
• Daxston Bingham, CB/OLB, Senior; 24 tackles, 1.0 sack(s)
• Gunner Christensen, FS/SS, Senior; 27 tackles, 26 solo tackles, 1 INT
• Max Anderson, C/Flex, Senior; 9 tackles, 7 solo tackles
2024 SCHEDULE
Aug. 16 – @ Cedar Valley
Aug. 23 – Cedar
Aug. 30 – Box Elder
Sept. 6 – @ Mountain Crest*
Sept. 13 – @ Burley (Idaho)
Sept. 20 – Ridgeline*
Sept. 27 – Sky View*
Oct. 4 – @ West Field*
Oct. 11 – Green Canyon*
Oct. 17 – @ Logan*
*Denotes Region 11 game.
Connect with prep sports reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net and X @ctbecker.