Bears Ready for a Fresh Start

If you drove past high school football practice this summer and did a double-take, don’t worry.  You aren’t in a time warp. Coach Logan Schwalm, who coached the Bears from 2017-2020, is back at the helm, taking on the task of getting the team rejuvenated.  The varsity Bears struggled in a winless 2023 campaign, short on size, strength and experience, but long on heart and perseverance.  Coach Schwalm and the rest of the coaching staff are breaking it down to the basics preparing for the season ahead.

 

“We have been working hard in the weight room all summer and on contact days.  We are stressing the fundamentals,” said Coach Schwalm, “and building on the core characteristics of commitment, discipline, consistency, work ethic, teamwork, grit, accountability, and perseverance.  Those qualities will contribute to success on the football field and in their lives, both now and in the future.”

 

The Bears will be led by junior quarterback, Kayden Woolsey, who spent much of last season sidelined by injury.  Woolsey will undoubtedly play to his strengths of speed and agility, protected by the O-Line consisting of Ethan Stephenson, Aiden Messex, Andrew Buckner, Talon Harrelson, and Garrett Sloan.

 

The team is returning several starters on both sides of the ball.  Look for John Baugh, Asher Smith, Tucker Bryan, Isaac Murphy and James Dean in the wide receiver and tight end slots, with Anthony Shortridge, Everett Smith, Perry Younger and Woolsey at the running back position.

 

The D-Line has Messex, Younger, John Jones, Stephenson and Harrelson, with Leric Chaney, Carson Smith, Sloan, Shortridge and Murphy at linebacker.  Gavin Glen, Everett Smith, Asher Smith and Woolsey round out the defensive side of the ball.

 

The team participated in summer scrimmage events in Windsor, MO, Mtn. Home, AR, and a one-day camp at Evangel University, creating the opportunity to match up against teams of differing sizes and abilities.

 

Schwalm is joined by returning coaches, Jason Henley and Scott Tooley, Jake Brookshire, a WSHS alum with plenty of SCA coaching experience, James Lee, Ian Ary, recent graduate and player from Evangel, Jeff Fisher and Justin Gomez.  If the name Ary, sounds familiar, Ian is the son of former Bears coach and area coaching legend, Steve Ary, who built successful programs in Willow Springs, Mtn. Grove, and West Plains.

 

Coach Schwalm said of the younger Coach Ary, “Obviously, he wants to create his own path, but the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. He has that same traditional coaching style, high expectations and discipline, but a lot of love to go with that.”

 

The team is still young with 19 freshmen and 20 sophomores on the roster and Schwalm stressed the importance of giving them time to grow and mature before stepping into larger roles.

 

For now, the team is taking things one step at a time to build a strong foundation.  “Build confidence, be competitive every game, put some games in the win column, and go on from there,” said Schwalm.

The Bears had a chance to test the waters against Mtn. Grove, Houston, and Thayer in a Jamboree Friday night.

 

The season opens August 30 at Lincoln with the home opener on the following Friday against Pleasant Hope.