The bitter taste in SRJC head football coach Keith Simon’s mouth from last season has not gone away and will linger until the Bear Cubs get back to a bowl game.
Last season the Bear Cubs suffered their first losing season in more than 15 years. This season, Simons is entering his 16th season as Bear Cub head coach and has the challenge of having many first year players on both sides of the ball.
The offense is anchored by a quick core of wide receivers led by sophomore Marquis Fruge and freshman Andre Davis. These two game-changers give the Bear Cubs a high-powered passing game that should give opposing secondaries headaches all season long. The tandem of Fruge and Davis will allow Sophomore Quarterback Jarred Hasskamp to spread the field and pick apart the defensive schemes he will face throughout the year.
When asked what their individual season goals are, both Fruge and Davis said they had only one goal; get the Bear Cubs back to a bowl game. However, the offensive line must be strong in its pass protection for Hasskamp to be effective in dismantling opposing defenses.
The experts say defense wins championships and if the Bear Cubs want to raise a championship banner this season the secondary will have to step up. The defense must contain dynamic passing attacks to  keep points off the board and the offense on the field. The strength of the defense is its strong defensive line led by two local freshmen, Garret Guanella from Cardinal Newman and Mike Tuaua from Rancho Cotati.
“I think our defensive line, which is starting four freshmen, will be one of the best in Northern California,” Simons said.
Opposing teams will be having some long days under center if this stout defensive line can consistently apply pressure.
Special teams has been a source of strength for the Bear Cubs in past seasons and this year should be no different.  The Bear Cubs have two solid kickers in Hugo Orozco and Lee Aranda, and they will serve as great options for Simons throughout the season. Whether it’s kicking field goals or punting to manage field position, Coach Simon has multiple options at his disposal.
With an ambitious offense and a solid defense, the team should make its way back to a bowl game and restore the winning tradition the Bear Cubs and their fans have become accustom to.