2024 Montgomery Bears Season Preview
Coach: Grant Cooper. Lettermen R/L: 42/16. Starters returning O/D: 5/9. 2023: 2-8/2-4 district. Key losses: Jake Wilson (Wyoming).
Players to watch: QB Reggie Williams (5-8, 175, 4.5), S Keilan Carver (5-11, 170, 4.5), WR Talan Shavers (5-9, 170, 4.5), RB Damion Taylor (5-9, 185, 4.6), DE Layne Vandiver (6-0, 200, 4.8), LB Zach Hayden (6-0, 200, 4.6). Top juniors: DT Prince Holiday (6-2, 250, 4.9), ATH DQ Swapsy (5-9, 175, 4.7). Top sophomore: S JaMarcus Nickerson (6-1, 185, 4.7).
Other prospects: RB Keldrid Ben, DT Colton Hatzold, WR/DB Jordan Cotton, OL Zane Cooper, LB Blaise Olivani, DT Jayden Lemm, WR/DB Kaden Canada, QB Jack Merryman.
2024 notes: The Bears went young a year ago and took some lumps, but they could be primed to deliver some knockout punches of their own in 2024 as they welcome back 42 lettermen. QB Williams (1,447 yards, 13 TDs passing; 912 yards, 11 TDs rushing) is back to direct the offense. He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands, according to Cooper. WR Shavers (35-416, 4 TDs receiving) and RB Taylor (436 yards, 4 TDs rushing) will lead a veteran group of skill players. The defense is led by S Carver (91 tackles, 1 INT) who will team with talented sophomore S Nickerson (23 tackles) to lead the defense. The defensive line is solid with the return of DL Vandiver (47 tackles, 9 TFL) and junior DT Holiday (45 tackles, 4 TFL).
