Coach: Kevin Kline, second year
Last season: 8-2, 6-2 NWOAL
Returning letter winners: 15
Returning starters: Offense 5, defense 5
Schemes: Spread/3-5-3
Top players: Seniors Collin Bacon, 6-1, 209, QB; Matt Frame, 6-2, 220, OL-LB; Alex Daoust, 6-0, 213, OL-LB; Elijah Bogosian, 5-11, 185, RB-DB. Juniors Brandon Poncsak, 6-0, 163, WR-DB; Austin Schimmoeller, 6-2, 175, QB-DB; Brock Minor, 6-0, 195, RB-DB.
Outlook: A unanimous choice to finish first in the NWOAL, the Golden Bears will still be tested in a highly competitive league. However, no team appears to be as loaded on both sides of the football as Bryan.
Bacon is coming off a strong campaign in which he gained 893 yards on 158 carries and scored 16 touchdowns. The three-year starter completed 56 of 125 passes for 768 yards and nine TDs.
Schimmoeller also provides versatility at quarterback. He passed for 801 yards and rushed for 447 yards. He also caught 11 passes for 205 yards as a sophomore.
Bogosian tops all returning receivers with 47 catches for 569 yards.
"We are excited and optimistic about the upcoming season," Kline said. "We understand that there is a lot of work that still needs to be done. We have some very talented skill players and we hope that we can maximize that talent throughout the season.
"Our biggest concern is our depth at certain positions and we need to answer some questions concerning our line on both sides of the ball. We know that there is a wealth of good players and good teams in the league this year and that should make for some interesting Friday nights."
2012 BRYAN SCHEDULE
Aug. 24-at Van Wert
Aug. 31-Archbold
Sept. 7-at Delta
Sept. 15-Shelby
Sept. 21-Montpelier
Sept. 28-at Wauseon
Oct. 5-Patrick Henry
Oct. 12-at Liberty Center
Oct. 19-at Swanton
Oct. 26-Evergreen
First Published August 22, 2012, 4:00 a.m.
