As the 2023-24 season of high school football approaches, Bear Creek is gearing up to turn the tide and infuse new vigor into its Friday night games. Clint Wilcox, former head coach for the Tokay junior varsity football team, now takes the reins of the Bruins.
For a team that has often stumbled short of the playoffs, Wilcox's arrival marks an opportunity for renewal and growth. "I always felt like there was a lot of untapped potential here at Bear Creek," Wilcox stated. He aspires to build the Bruins into a formidable force in the 209, rather than replicate the successes of other already established programs.
The previous season ended with a disheartening 3-7 record, an unfortunate norm for the Bruins since the school's inauguration in 2006. However, Coach Wilcox and his new coaching staff – comprised of his former colleagues from Tokay – plan to reverse this trend by introducing significant changes to the team's style of play.
The coach has overhauled the playbook and dedicated the offseason to ensure the players not only memorize the new plays but fully comprehend them. Wilcox shared his optimism, saying, "We’re gonna have a lot of new stuff and it’s going to be fun to watch."
Besides an innovative playbook, Bear Creek is also counting on its returning seniors. Stepping into the shoes of former quarterback Mario Lopez is senior Shaan Jojao, a seasoned player with three years of varsity experience. Jojao is looking forward to disproving the skeptics, stating, "I think we can set a foundation for the future of the program starting right now.”
Bear Creek's offense will also feature a blend of veteran and untested wide receivers, including Samuel Brogger, a four-year varsity wide receiver who has been instrumental in previous team wins. The senior wideout is upbeat about the upcoming season, confident in the fresh coaching staff and revitalized program, saying, "So right now we're aiming for the playoffs this season.”
The goal of reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2006 is indeed ambitious for the Bruins, but Coach Wilcox understands that the first year is more about rebuilding the program than claiming victories. To this end, he has already recruited around 90 players for the entire football program and instituted mandatory study halls to ensure academic eligibility.
The real test for Wilcox and the rejuvenated Bear Creek football program comes on August 18, when the new season kicks off against Burbank at 7:15 p.m. This season, the Bruins are not just looking to compete, but to change the narrative around Bear Creek football.
WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK
