HoCo ready to bear down

Everyone in Houston County knows what the Bears varsity football team was able to accomplish last year in the regular season. Knocking off one of their number one nemesis, Warner Robins, 34-14. However, the Bears did not stop there, they went and shocked the world with a win over Northside 34-13. Now 2015 has come and gone and there are only some good memories and stats to look back on. The Bears are now working hard to create new memories and even better stats for 2016.

Shane McCullough a senior outside linebacker this year will be leading the Bears on the defensive side of the ball for coach Ryan Crawford . McCullough was a monster on defense last season with 35 solo tackles and 14 assist. He really stepped up his intensity in the latter part of the season earning four to five tackles per game. McCullough was named in the All- Region honorable mention for defense last year and looks to get there again this year. McCullough talking about last season said,

“Offensively amazing as always. Running and throwing were consistent until the end. We never really felt like there wasn’t a time we would have to rely heavily on the defense because the offense couldn’t score. Defensively I felt like we had the best one in the state of Georgia. We knew each other’s strength and built off of that. The only time we weren’t at our best were the last two games and even then I felt like we were fighting to get to that perfect mark.”

The Bears went into the playoffs feeling confident and were able to win the first two games against South Effingham and Mays, sending them to round three facing Allatoona. “South Effingham wasn’t quite a challenge”, said McCullough. “We didn’t take them any lighter than we did Northside or Warner Robins though. That game we went in and did what we had to do the first half and that is what usually determines the game.”

“Mays was quite the battle for us with them scoring early on. I still remember looking up at the scoreboard and seeing us down and thinking this isn’t good. We managed to drive hard on offense and shut them down on defense and really was a battle up until the last minute.”

McCullough said that Allatoona was their biggest upset of the year.

“All I have to say about them is that we under estimated their ability, especially the quarter back. That game showed me a new light because we really had to play all four quarters as a defense. I am really going to work hard this off season to get myself into better shape to play,” said McCullough.

Jake Fromm will take the snaps behind center, coming off a banner year in 2015. Fromm led the team with 4,099 total yards, 36 touchdowns and only six interceptions. When asked about the upcoming season Fromm said,

“Honestly can’t wait, I’m so excited and can’t believe it’s my senior year. I can’t wait to play the first game and just enjoy it with my teammates. I really feel good about this year and truly believe we should be playing on week 15.”

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