The Bear Cubs were off to one of its finest starts in recent memory, ranking sixth in state and third in Northern California. When asked how important a upcoming game against undefeated San Joaquin Delta is A.J. Mckre, the teams’ strong safety said, “Every game from here on out is a playoff game… a must win.”

A loss to San Joaquin showed that the Bear Cubs are not as unstoppable as they seemed to be in the beginning.

The Bear Cubs possible Cinderella season started off on the right foot. They crushed a College of The Redwoods team 69-0, in one of several shut outs pitched by the Bear Cubs’ defense this year. The Bear Cubs also shut out Shasta College, West Valley and very nearly Mendocino, who scored only 7 points. In the first four games of the season the Bear Cubs dominated the score sheet and defeated opponents by a combined total of 213 to 7.

The answer of the question of how they would perform in a tight game came on Oct.1, when they encountered San Joaquin Delta. The Bear Cubs relied heavily on their sterling passing game, but trailed for most of the game and weren’t able to turn it around.

Both quarterbacks, Ian Hetrick and Mark Grey have turned in stellar performances. Although Grey is ranked No.1 in the state, Saturday’s game against Sac City marked his first start. Hetrick came in the game after Grey threw two interceptions. Hetrick and Grey are both solid players who can pick up after the other if one is down.

“We got two guys at quarterback that can just flat out play,” said Head Coach Keith Simons.

Most notable of the wide receivers is Angelo Richardson, who received the state player of the week after the loss to Foothill, for catching 16 passes for 324 yards, which led to five touchdowns.

“We are a passing team, if we think we can move the ball through the air we will,” said Coach Simons.

It’s along road to the state championship, but this team is battle tested and primed for success.