Big Bear looking for some beef

Big Bear has never relied on overpowering people. Being a small school in a resort community in the San Bernardino Mountains, the Bears typically don’t have a surplus of big offensive linemen to choose from. The Bears rely on precision, misdirection and superior execution, often to brilliant results.

With that said, even longtime Big Bear head coach Dave Griffiths is surprised by the lack of size that his team will have on the lines this year.

“We are really small this year,” Griffiths said. “Most of our linemen are going to be under 200 pounds. It’s no secret that we aren’t a big, bruising team and that we rely on execution over pounding a team, but it’s definitely a point of concern that we are going to have to work against.”

If the Bears find some blockers, and tacklers on the defensive line, that can overcome their size advantage, then Big Bear should in the mix for the De Anza League title yet again. They haven’t won won since 2006, when they went undefeated en route to a CIF-SS East Valley Division championship, but have the skill people necessary to do some things with some blocking.

“We have some receivers on the outside that we are excited about,” Griffiths said. “They are quick and fast and capable of springing the big play. And we are confident with Craig Hall at quarterback.”

Hall, a senior, will be in his second full season as starting quarterback and third overall, replacing an injured Kriss Proctor midway through the 2007 season. Hans Hausner and Eddie Muro are small, quick slotbacks while Chris Putnam provides a larger target. Aaron Gibbons, despite being only 180 pounds, will play fullback and man the interior line at defensive tackle, while Aric Ramirez and Nick Newsome return at linebacker to lead the Bear defense.

Big Bear’s schedule (Home games in CAPS, league games with *)

Sept. 4 – vs. Grace Brethren (Moorpark College)
Sept. 12 – AQUINAS
Sept. 18 – vs. Beaumont (San Gorgonio Middle School)
Sept. 26 – SAN JACINTO
Oct. 3 – OAK HILLS
Oct. 17 – YUCCA VALLEY*
Oct. 24 – CITRUS VALLEY
Oct. 30 – at Desert Mirage*
Nov. 7 – TWENTYNINE PALMS*
Nov. 13 – at Desert Hot Springs*

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