Mountain View Ready to Compete in Tough Region

The Bears come into 2011 full of optimism after their inaugural year in AAAAA. And they should too. With most of their team returning, including leading rusher Marvin Elam and starting quarterback Charlie Brower, coach Tim Hardy feels his team is better equipped to compete in the ever so tough region 7-AAAAA.

Brower threw for 1,063 yards last season in 10 games and Elam rushed for 622 with eight touchdowns. That stat may be a little skewed when he had 5 of them against Lanier in a 55-7 blowout victory. Elam averaged 4.2 yards per carry while second leading rusher Eddie West also returns. West carried the ball 52 times for 189, which is still a nice 3.6 average.

However, the defense is where the Bears need to improve. The offense averaged 14.5 points per game while the defense gave up 29.4. But returning is leading tacklers Matt Herman and Matt Kilgore. The two Matt's led the way with Herman getting 81 total tackles and Kilgore had 48. Kevin Harford had 45. Kilgore led the team with three interceptions while Harford, Tyler Bethune and Jonathon Barber each had two interceptions. "I think we'll be a lot better this year," said Barber. "We know more of the system and what to expect." Three other Bears had one interception each.

On offense Kilgore led the team in receiving with 36 catches for 445 yars and a nice 12.4 average. Marquis Palmer was the deep threat with 365 yards on 19 catches for a 19.2 average and two touchdowns. The backup quarterback Tyler Rollins had 15 catches from his receiver spot for 173, an 11.5 average.

"We should be much better this year," said Hardy. "I'm excited to compete in region seven again." Mountain View finished with three wins last season and the expectations are much higher this season. The Bears open August 26th against crosstown rival Central Gwinnett. Although the Bears lost to the Black knights in their first game as a varsity last season, Hardy is confident that game will go far for this year's team. "We played well last season in that game but our depth showed," Hardy said.

Turnovers cost the Bears not only in that game but in several others last season. And penalties cost the Bears on numerous drives. But that comes with experience. The experience Mountain View gained last season is what Hardy hopes will get them at least two more wins and a .500 season.

The team will have Lanier and Archer as well as Central Gwinnett to start the season before jumping into region 7-AAAAA against powerful Mill Creek, Peachtree Ridge, Norcross, Collins Hill and North Gwinnett. They also have games with a up and coming Duluth and Meadowcreek.

Barring injury the Bears should challenge for that .500 record and maybe with a little luck have a say in who makes the playoffs. "That's our plan," Hardy said.