Season Opener Bears Post Shutout in Season Opener By George Edgar Saturday, April 25, 2009 POULSBO — Nic Stearns and Ryan Cole got their teams up and running to begin the Cascade League football season Saturday night at North Kitsap High School. It was Stearns and the Kitsap County Bears who ran away with a 27-0 win over the Puget Sound Pirates. Stearns, running on the field he played on in high school, rushed for 156 yards on 15 carries for the Bears (1-0). He scored the game's first touchdown on a 52-yard run up the left sideline on the Bears' second possession. The Bears' defense did the rest, as they forced four turnovers, including a pair of first quarter interceptions inside the Bears' red zone. David Trujillo snagged the first pick off Pirate quarterback Mike McQueed. Jeremy Gee grabbed the second at the goal line. The Bears also had five sacks and forced two fumbles. "Our front line was awesome," Bears coach Dave Snyder said. "We held tight; we bent a lot but we didn't break." The few times it did bend was when Cole ran for the Pirates. Cole, a South Kitsap graduate, rushed for 91 yards on 18 carries. His first carry of the game went for 33 yards. But the Bears defense zeroed in on him throughout the game, once catching him in the backfield for a 12-yard loss on a pitchout. "It felt good," he said. "There are some things we need to work on, so we'll look at some film and fix them." Cole played at Oregon State University and then transferred to Eastern Washington, where he graduated in 2006. He is currently working at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Cole is the West Sound's all-time leading rusher, but his record could be broken by Olympic's Larry Dixon this fall. "Records were made to be broken," he said. Kitsap County plays their next game in two weeks against Snohomish County at Everett Memorial Stadium. The Bears routed the Thunder 70-13 in an exhibition game last week in Sequim. Kitsap County 27, Puget Sound 0 @AGATE PREP FB W 1 (line above):Puget Sound 0 0 0 0 — 0 @AGATE PREP FB W 2 (line below):Kitsap County 7 7 13 0 — 27 KC—Nic Stearns 52 run (Nick Obrasoff kick) KC—Stearns 1 run (Obrasoff kick) KC—Sean Brody 10 pass from Brandon Peterson (Obrasoff kick) KC—Stearns 20 run (kick blocked)

Bears Depth Kitsap Bears Blending Depth, Talent By JOHN BECERRA, JR. For the Kitsap Sun Wednesday, April 22, 2009 In the world of semi-pro football, it's tough enough getting players to hang on from week to week, let alone year to year. Last year, the Kitsap County Bears kept it together and went 4-6 in their inaugural season, but lost in the first round of the NAFL playoffs to the East County Blackshirts. But this season, they belong to a new league in the Cascade Football League — they host the Puget Sound Pirates at North Kitsap High School Saturday at 7 p.m. — and they have enough talent returning and some new stars emerging as well. All of which has second-year coach Dave Snyder excited about the upcoming season. "It's really nice having so many (offensive) tools," he said. Snyder used those tools to build a convincing 70-13 win over the Snohomish County Thunder last Saturday at Sequim High School. The Bears rolled as they gained over 600 offensive yards thanks to the running back tandem of returner Nic Stearns and newcomer Rory Lee. Both are graduates of Kitsap County schools. Stearns is an alum of North Kitsap, while Lee hails from Klahowya. Stearns, a semi-pro first team All-American selection last season, rushed for over 200 yards and three touchdowns while Lee performed "real well" on both sides of the ball, according to Snyder. "He's got amazing speed and agility," Snyder said of Lee, who also notched a sack and returned a fumble for a touchdown. "He's lightning on two feet. He's a tremendous athlete." A standout for the Eagles, Lee kept it going at the University of Puget Sound, where he earned three straight first team All-Northwest Conference nods and left with numerous records, including the school's career rushing yards total with 4,047 yards. He declared for the NFL draft, but wasn't drafted. Lee tried the free agent route and worked out for a few teams, but didn't get any offers save for some Arena League teams. Lee returned to Washington to find work. He also stuck with football, playing for the South Sound Shockers of the Evergreen Football League. He earned All-American nods on both sides of the ball, but injuries limited his season. It was during a indoor flag football game at the Zone in Poulsbo where he met Bears owner Don Purser and Nick LaFontaine and was invited to play for the Bears. "It's great," he said of his new team. "I enjoy playing with the guys. They're pretty dedicated and easy to get along with." Lee said he primarily wants to stay on the defensive side of the ball as a linebacker or a strong safety, but is willing to sub for Stearns whenever necessary. Stearns said he'd like to see them both on the field at the same time. "We're a great combo," he said. "He and I can hit hard and we're fast." Alongside Stearns and Purser, who plays right tackle and quarterback, guards Mike Coe and Zane Howard, linebackers LaFontaine, Arnie Otterbeck and Danny Glushko, center Jeff Michaelis, tight end/defensive tackle Pat Lewis and offensive/defensive lineman Gary Ristick also return to the Bears. Along with Stearns, Coe, Glushko, LaFontaine, Michaelis, Otterback, Purser and Ristick were nominated for the league's All-Star game last October. Stearns earned his nominations with 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns. Among the newcomers to the Bears are running backs Sean Brody, a graduate of Central Kitsap and Bremerton grad Brandin Haynes and wide receivers Karl Oliver, Jackie Thompson and Anjelo Stull. Quarterback Brandon Peterson, a standout for the West Sound Saints, moves over to the Bears to play the same position. Snyder is impressed with Thompson's speed and has Stull penciled in at the slot. LaFontaine will start at quarterback while Purser and Peterson back him up. On the defensive side, Snyder said they have a lot of linebackers and they're all "pretty studly." LaFontaine will lead the way, with Lee, Hanson and newcomer Clayton Hallum, a Bainbridge graduate, all getting playing time. Thompson, Oliver and Glushko will play in the secondary while Lewis and Larry Henning are in the trenches. Lee said he's impressed by not only the team's depth, but the teamwork each player displays. "Dan Snyder and Don should get a lot of credit," he said. "They get a lot of guys that are team players. Everyone goes with the flow and steps up to take the role they're given." Stearns feels the same way. "I can't really single out one or two guys," when asked about the newcomers. "For some guys, it may be their first year on the team, but they have experience. "Once we get positions set and our team chemistry going, I think we'll do really well. I truly believe that." Kitsap County Bears Schedule Saturday: Puget Sound May 9: at Snohomish County May 16: Southern King County May 30: at Renton at noon June 6: Washington June 13: at Tacoma June 20: Whatcom County at noon June 27: at Olympic Peninsula July 11: Seattle July 18: Tacoma All other games at 7 p.m.; Home games played at North Kitsap High School. Roster 1, Marchello Garcia WR (5-11, 220) 2, Nick LaFontaine QB/LB (6-0, 225) 3, Danny Glushko LB (6-4, 240) 4, Sean Brody LB (5-10, 220) 5, Jason Sencil DB (5-9, 165) 6, Nic Stearns RB (6-0, 210) 7, Dan Raymond DB (5-10, 190) 8, Don Purser QB/OL (6-6, 270) 9, Eric King LB (6-3, 210) 11, Karl Oliver DB (6-0, 190) 12, Zack Sampson K (6-2, 185) 14, Adam Roy WR (6-3, 210) 15, Clayton Hallum DB (6-0, 220) 16, Brandon Peterson QB (6-3, 215) 17, Jeremy Gee DB (6-0, 200) 19, Rory Lee RB/LB (6-0, 220) 20, Adam Peterson FB/LB (5-10, 235) 21, Graham Lease WR (5-7, 165) 22, Jaren Alvarez RB/DB (5-7, 170) 23, Anjelo Stull DB (5-10, 170) 24, Bryton Stefnik DB (5-9, 170) 28, Brandin Haynes LB/RB (5-9, 215) 29, Dave Michaelis FB/LB (5-9, 210) 32, Ossler Vincent LB (5-9, 210) 33, Jeff Michaelis LB/C (6-0, 240) 34, Chris Brown FB (5-9, 235) 37, Branden Hansen LB (5-9, 170) 44, Zack Cox LB (5-10, 235) 47, Dan Cable LB (5-11, 240) 49, Arnie Otterbeck TE/LB (5-11, 240) 50, Clayton LaFontaine DB (5-10, 170) 52, Rick Gardis DT (5-10, 240) 55, Gary Ristick OL/DL (6-2, 275) 56, Zane Howard OL (6-3, 290) 59, Kris Scott DL (6-2, 270) 60, Kevan Smith OL (6-1, 270) 61, Louis Gauldin LB (6-4, 240) 65, Jeremy Tyler OL (6-1, 300) 69, Daniel Langsdorf OL (6-3, 275) 70, Walter Brown OL (6-7, 350) 72, Tony Wilson DT (6-3, 290) 75, Eli Criss OL (6-5, 300) 76, Norman Criss DT (6-3, 260) 77, Scott Jennings OL (6-3, 310) 78, Tony Evans OL (6-1, 275) 79, Mike Coe OL (6-1, 300) 80, Keimo Pelegrim TE (6-3, 235) 81, Jackie Thomas WR (6-2, 200) 84, Pat Lewis TE/DT (6-4, 240) 85, Jordan Johnson TE (6-6, 230) 86, Nathan Lloyd WR (6-6, 200) 88, Jeff Tim DE (6-5, 245) 89, Eric Nelson TE (6-6, 300) 91, Robert McNamara DL (6-2, 265) 99, Larry Henning DT (6-6, 330)

Bears Media Bears Beat Saints, Claim Playoff Spot Kitsap Sun Staff Saturday, September 27, 2008 Sequim In the first meeting between Kitsap County's semi-pro football teams, the Kitsap Bears held off the West Sound Saints 31-27 on Saturday. The win gave the Bears (4-6) a date in Oregon next weekend in the first round of the North American Football League playoffs. The Saints finished their season at 2-8. The Bears took a 14-0 lead into halftime, but the Saints rallied to send the game into the fourth quarter tied, 14-14. The Bears went to the running game to grind out the win. Nic Stearns rushed for about 165 yards and two fourth-quarter scores. He also kicked a field goal. Dave Michaelis added nearly 100 yards himself. "We played good, controlled football," Kitsap coach Dave Snyder said. "We didn't lose our heads. We pretty much controlled the line the whole game." Kitsap 31, West Sound 27 West Sound 0 0 14 13 — 27 Kitsap 6 8 0 17 — 31 First quarter Kit—Dave Michaelis 31 run (kick failed) Second quarter Kit—Blake Buehl 52 pass from Nick LaFontaine (Nic Stearns run) Third quarter WS—Justin Kelly 30 pass from Brandon Peterson (kick failed) WS—Kelly 20 pass from Peterson (Donnely run) Fourth quarter Kit—Stearns 40 run (Stearns kick) Kit—Stearns 47 FG WS—Chad Johnson 30 pass from Peterson (kick good) Kit—Stearns 65 run (Stearns Kick) WS—Jakobi Square 40 pass from Peterson (kick blocked) Link to article HERE! Gridiron never too far away for SK grad By CHRIS CHANCELLOR Port Orchard Independent Sports Editor Aug 06 2008 Arnie Otterbeck still playing for Kitsap Bears He doesn’t have the NFL background or All-American accolades that dominated Ed Fisher’s 23-year tenure as coach at South Kitsap High School. But unlike those players, Arnie Otterbeck still is playing. The 1997 South graduate, who teaches science at John Sedgwick Junior High, said he decided to play a final season for the Kitsap Bears, an expansion football team based out of Kingston that plays in the North American Football League. “You can count on him in a pinch for everything,” Kitsap coach Dave Snyder said. “He makes a difference on the team and with the players. You can’t say enough about him.” Otterbeck, 29, saw the Wolves win the 1994 state championship and the quarterfinals the following year before they advanced to the semifinals as a senior in Fisher’s last year at South. The Wolves had a 35-2 record in Otterbeck’s three years at the school. “I had a tremendous opportunity to play under a great coach — a Hall of Fame coach,” Otterbeck said. At 5 foot 10 and 230 pounds, Otterbeck was too small to play offensive or defensive line — his main positions at South — for a major university. And he wasn’t strong enough academically to qualify at some of the lower-division schools. Instead, Otterbeck said he took a few years off to mature and eventually walked on at Eastern Washington University and transferred to Whitworth University in Spokane. Otterbeck credited some of the friends he met with the West Sound Orcas (now Saints) when he played for the team during its inaugural season in 2000 in getting him to pursue a college degree. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Whitworth in 2004 and a master’s in education last year. “It’s a pleasure to come back here, teach in the community and be a part of something,” he said. “This is a great place.” Fisher routinely told his players that football is a microcosm of life, and Otterbeck firmly believes that after his experiences. “It’s a great opportunity for men to grow in different areas,” he said. “To really apply that to the lives of men is exciting.” Otterbeck, who plays outside linebacker for the Bears, is more than just a member of the team, though. He also serves as the general manager. Unlike professional sports, where the primary job description for that role is roster building, Otterbeck focuses more on game-day operations. He recruits family members and others to run the ticket office and security. “Just as a friend, I’m here to act in support,” said Otterbeck, referring to Bears owner and former North Kitsap High defensive end Don Purser. “Minor-league football is a grass-roots approach. You have to be out there in the community and let people know who you are. Ninety-nine percent of the time, people don’t know who you are or that you’re out there in the community.” The Bears haven’t started well on the field. Their record fell to 1-3 after a 45-15 loss Saturday against the East County Blackshirts at Silverdale Stadium. Otterbeck said he would like to be more successful, but is excited about the community response. “Seeing all the people in the stands was really encouraging,” he said. “It’s a great thing for kids to come out here and watch their parents, uncles or brothers. It’s cool and exciting.” Even though Otterbeck doesn’t plan to play beyond this season, he won’t leave the sidelines. He’s an assistant coach at Sedgwick and contemplated applying for the opening on D.J. Sigurdson’s staff at South. “I just felt at this moment it wasn’t the best opportunity because we have a great thing going on at John Sedgwick,” Otterbeck said. “For me, I just feel very close to my kids and I’m excited about the upcoming season.” Otterbeck said the thought of coaching under Sigurdson is an appealing prospect. “It would be exciting,” Otterbeck said. “Coaching at a (Class) 4A school, especially my alma mater, would be an enjoyable experience.” Port Orchard Independent Sports Editor Chris Chancellor can be reached at cchancellor@portorchardindependent.com or (360) 876-4414. Link to article HERE! ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Da Bears are on the prowl in North Kitsap By TARA LEMM North Kitsap Herald Schools/Sports Reporter Aug 07 2008 · UPDATED NORTH END — Intense, hard-hitting and “full of class” just about sums up Kitsap’s newest sports team. The Kitsap County Bears are a semi-pro football team that seeps with local ties. They’re owned, managed and quarterbacked by 1993 North Kitsap High School graduate Don Purser. They’re mentored by North Kitsap High School teacher and three-season coach Dave Snyder. About 19 members of the lineup are former NKHS football players and the remaining 21 positions are fleshed out with CK grads or military men. Basically the Bears are the guy next door, the local business owner or employee or the kind guy who holds the door open, which is exactly who they’re supposed to be. “We like that because we’re trying to create a close-knit group of guys, kind of like a brotherhood type of thing,” Snyder said. It’s a season of firsts for Purser, Snyder and the 40-man team, but the enthusiastic rookies couldn’t have asked for a better group to belong to. Their secret weapon: team unity and respect. “I’ve been on a lot of teams where a lot of the players don’t respect each other or the coaches and there’s none of that here,” Purser said. “Even when we lose were still a bunch of happy guys. We’re positive because no matter what happens it’s easier to be successful when you’re positive.” Although the theory of positivity hasn’t paid off so well in terms of the scoreboard — they’ve lost three of their four games by double digits and won one — it sure is noticeable from the stands. On Saturday at Silverdale Stadium in a home contest against the East King County Blackshirts, the Bears got trampled 45-15, but from the smiles and laughter seen and heard on the sidelines one would have guessed differently. The Bears were joking with each other, and tossing playful punches and knocks to the helmet. Even as the clock was winding down and the Blackshirts polished its lead with another touchdown, the Bears’ spirits didn’t damper, as “That’s the best series we’ve had all night, boys. We got a sack,” was hollered out from the sidelines. The sack belonged to No. 9 Nick Laurion. “We want to play the game with respect and dignity and if we win we win,” Snyder said. “We’re just about staying together as a team and enjoying the opportunity we have to play. We look at it as a privilege to be able to play.” Likewise, the approximately 75 fans enjoyed a Saturday summer filled with a little tackle action. “It’s good to have a local team and to be able to come out and watch people that you know who have potential,” said Central Kitsap graduate Will Ostag who now resides in Chico. “They’re all really good guys and it’s really fun to watch them lay it down on the field.” Locals watching locals is one of the primary reasons Purser formed the Bears, and why Snyder got involved. It gives the community an opportunity to watch their high school favorites, and it gives the players who weren’t able to attend college a chance to get noticed and perhaps extend their football careers. Purser said the Bears are a “stepping stone” and a good time for guys who want to keep on playing. “We want to make this a chance to play afterward (high school),” said Purser who knew he couldn’t make it to the pros so he set his sights on semi-pro. “If they want to go onto college it gives them a chance to play with other adults and to get film so they can get somewhere else.” Although the season and the Bears are in their infancy, the word has gotten out. Purser said when they started only 23 joined the team. They’re now up to 40 — the total number of jerseys the Bears have — and within the past week a handful of athletes signed up. Purser said there’s always room for more and envisions a 60-man roster in the coming years. The plan is to keep the Bears on the prowl. However, Purser, an altruistic geoduck harvester, paid for the first-year expenses out of his pocket. He said he should be able to continue fronting the team, but he hopes a few sponsors come on board to help with the finances. If interested in joining the Bears, who practice on Wednesday evenings at the Zone Sportsplex in Poulsbo from 7-9 p.m., or sponsoring the county’s newest hard hitters, e-mail Purser at dpurser99@msn.com. In the meantime the Bears have six games remaining and return home to the Silverdale Stadium on Sept. 6 at 5 p.m. to battle the King County Jaguars. “I’ve been playing so long and to actually have my own local team this is pretty much all I’ve wanted,” said Purser, whose favorite hobby is football. “I’m happy. There’s a lot of responsibility, but I’m really happy with what’s going on with the team.” North Kitsap Herald Schools/Sports Reporter Tara Lemm can be reached at tlemm@northkitsapherald.com or (360) 779-4464. Link to article HERE! ______________________________________________________________________________________________ The first win is always the best, a feeling that the Kitsap County Bears won't soon forget. Behind a punishing running game, the Bears scored the first victory in team history with a 36-27 North American Football League win Saturday over the North King County Wildcats at Silverdale Stadium in front of a small but rowdy crowd. "This feels real good," said Bears coach Dave Snyder. "We can relax, now that the monkey's off our back." Nick Stearns scored four touchdowns in the game, including the last on a 12-yard dash to the corner of the end zone with 1:56 remaining for the final margin. "This is a good start," said Stearns, a 2004 graduate of North Kitsap. "We have a lot of good guys, and a lot of good blocking. We had to work hard for it, but we earned it." Stearns almost didn't make it on time for the game's 5 p.m. start, as he got off of work at 4:30 from his job in Poulsbo. "I had to get dressed in the parking lot," he said. But when he got the ball, he bashed his way through the line for touchdown runs of 40, 25, 6, and 12 yards. He also had a 60-yarder that was called back by a penalty. "He just ran up and down," said Snyder, who is also an assistant coach at North Kitsap High School. "He's my horse. He ran hard for us at North. He always hits the hole at 100 miles per hour." The holes were opened by the offensive line of Kevin Vandelac, Mike Coe, Jeff Michaelis, Arnie Otterbeck and Austin Jennings. Stearns, Vandelac, Coe, and Michaelis are part of a group of North Kitsap graduates playing for the Bears. "We have a lot of guys from North Kitsap," Snyder pointed out. "I can say the same things that Jerry (Parrish) would say." Still, North King County (0-4) made a game of it, closing to within 28-27 in the fourth quarter after a 79-yard touchdown pass from Chris Weakly to Scott Johnson. It was Weakly's third TD pass of the game. But North fumbled and turned the ball over on downs on its next two offensive possessions before Stearns' final touchdown in the quarter. "Our defense was aggressive," Snyder said. "Unfortunately, they got a couple of plays behind us." With their record now at 1-2, Snyder still sees room for improvement. One area will be the passing game, as receivers dropped a number of passes. "Our timing was off," Snyder said of the passing game. "We're going to work it out; that's the biggest room for improvement." Kitsap County will go for its second win next Saturday against East King County at Silverdale Stadium. Kitsap County 36, North King 27 @AGATE PREP FB W 1 (line above):North King 14 0 7 6—27 @AGATE PREP FB W 2 (line below):Kitsap County 14 6 8 8—36 North—Juan Galvin 25 pass from Chris Weakly (Art Nalker kick) Kitsap—Nick Stearns 40 run (kick failed) North—Darren Edwards 80 pass from Chris Weakly (Art Nalker kick) Kitsap—Adam Peterson 3 run (Eric Nelson run) Kitsap—Nick Stearns 25 run (run failed) North—Derrick Bradley 58 run (Art Nalker kick) Kitsap—Nick Stearns 6 run (Danny Glushko run) North—Scott Johnson 79 pass from Chris Weakly (run failed) Kitsap—Nick Stearns 12 run (Eric Nelson run) By George Edgar For the Kitsap Sun Friday, June 27, 2008 One team will be starting over, the other will be starting up. The semi-pro football season gets underway tonight for the West Sound Saints and the newly formed Kitsap County Bears. The West Sound Saints host the Southern Oregon Renegades at Silverdale Stadium at 5 p.m. as they try to rebound from a 3-7 season. The Kitsap County Bears play their first-ever game against the King County Jaguars at Kent-Meridian High School's French Field in Kent. Each team will play 10 games this season, with the schedule set so neither team will be at home on the same week (both teams share Silverdale Stadium). The Saints and the Bears will play against each other in the season finale on Sept. 27. The two teams will play in the Olympic Division of the newly expanded North American Football League. Last season, the Saints played in the Northwest Football League. The Saints won the NAFL2 title in 2005. The Bears are owned by Ron Purser, a 1993 North Kitsap graduate, and coached by Dan Snyder, an assistant football coach (and track and field coach) at North Kitsap. Purser played and owned the Sequim-based Peninsula Eagles last year, a team in the Cascade Football League. More than a dozen other players on the team are from Kitsap County, most of whom played with the Saints in the past. "We got players who wanted to come down our way, so we started up another team," Purser said. "We ran into some guys, and we worked from there." Based out of Kingston, the Bears will have around 40 players throughout the season and practice at The Zone in Poulsbo. Purser, who played quarterback in college at Black Hills State, is expected to play quarterback for the Bears. Most of the Bears are from the Kitsap County area, including lineman Arnie Otterbeck, a graduate of South Kitsap, and North Kitsap grads Kevin Vandelac and Mike Coe, who played collegiately at Montana and Pacific Lutheran respectively. "Our goal is just to have a .500 record," Purser said. "We have mostly vets and expect pretty good things." Don Purser, a North Kitsap grad, is the owner and quarterback of the Kitsap County Bears, which open their inaugural season on the road today. The Kitsap Bears run through plays at practice Wednesday at the Zone Sportsplex in Poulsbo. The newly formed Bears are based out of Kingston. Webcast: Follow the Bears online at www.uftamerica.net.