Bears Hope to Grow Into Back-To-Back Region Titles

Photo: 12 Caden Dabney will move from wide receiver to running back this year for the Bears

The Bradshaw Mountain Bears swept all six Grand Canyon Region games and went (8-3) overall a year ago, ending their season with a 31-14 first round playoff loss at home to the Coconino Panthers.

Winning the region a second time is clearly possible, but the Bears have a daunting task out the gate as they face the top two rated teams in Division 4 in the first three games of the season.

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Mehdi Nafti, Tunisian footballer and manager (born 1978) 🔗

Photo: 33 Jon’te Jones is another senior the Bears will rely on

Key players returning are Jon’te Jones and Caden Dabney for a team that has only 9 seniors listed on the roster. Those players will have to help bring along the underclassman. Set to be the starting quarterback is sophomore Taye Evans. There will be a lot of player development in those first few games that should bode well for the Bears when they get into region play.

The first big challenge comes in the very first game, starting off with last years Division 4 runner-up Arcadia. The Titans blew out Bradshaw Mountain 37-8 in Prescott Valley last year with their only loss coming in the championship game. The Bears make the trip to Phoenix on August 28 for the heated contest and to see where they stack up early against a top team.

Independence comes to Prescott Valley on September 4. Last year the Bears blew out the Patriots 54-8. This game will be an excellent opportunity to get the team more situated.

Another big challenge comes on September 11 with a trip to play number one Snowflake. The Lobos are very tough, especially at home. Their only two losses last season were to the two teams that played for the Division 4 championship, Mica Mountain and Arcadia. Last season the Bears nearly pulled off an upset at home but fell 16-13.

On September 18, the Bears will travel over the mountain to play Mingus. Bob Young’s old school has not been the same since he left to come to coach Bradshaw Mountain in 2020. The Bears have won seven in a row in the series and won 59-0 a year ago in Prescott Valley.

On Thursday September 24 the Bears will host Mohave. Last year the Thunderbirds pulled off some surprises, but Bradshaw Mountain was not one of them. The Bears were able to pull off a tough 31-21 road win.

Bradshaw Mountain will get to play at the comfy confines of the NAU Walkup Skydome on October 2nd as they face the Flagstaff Eagles. The Bears won 49-6 last season and have won five straight versus the Eagles.

Back home on October 9 with a battle against the Lee Williams Volunteers. Last year the Bears had to work hard to pull out a 13-7 win on a rainy night in Kingman. Bradshaw Mountain leads the series 8-2 with Lee Williams last winning 38-21 in 2023.

On October 16 the Bears get a break from Grand Canyon Region play when they travel to the west valley to face the Buckeye Hawks who went (5-5) a year ago. Last season the Bears won 56-20 in Prescott Valley. Bradshaw Mountain leads the series 3-2 going back to 2004.

A big game with potential playoff implications will take place in week 9. After splitting a season ago with both teams winning on the road, the Bears will host the Panthers on Friday, October 23rd. This one could very well determine the region title. A little added motivation goes to Bradshaw Mountain since Coconino ended their season a year ago.

No matter what the records are, this will be the biggest game of the season. An October 29th home game against the Prescott Badgers. A short practice week with it being a Thursday night game. The Bears have won three of the last four, but Prescott still holds a 23-10 series lead.

Snowflake is the preseason number 1 ranked team in Division 4, followed by Arcadia, Mica Mountain, Eastmark, and ALA-West Foothills. Surprisingly Mohave is sixth with Bradshaw Mountain seventh, and Coconino eighth. Prescott will start the season at #20.

2025 GRAND CANYON REGION STANDINGS