Bearcats look to make move in Region 4-5A

The Long Beach Bearcats are looking to make a move in Region 4-5A.

The Bearcats (3-9 a year ago, 2-5 in region) return nine starters on defense and a good bit of experience on the offensive line.

“The program continues to improve,’’ said Long Beach coach Forrest Williams, whose team upset region nemesis Picayune 36-34 in overtime at Picayune a year ago. “The team improved over the course of last season and notched wins over playoff teams Vancleave and Picayune.’’

Williams will be turning to two new quarterbacks this season – junior Jaidon Evans (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) and freshman Cade Crosby (5-10, 175).

“We have two new quarterbacks,’’ Williams said. “Cade slinged it a lot last year. He led the middle school team to an undefeated record and won the Coast region down here. I’m excited about what he will do. Jaidon Evans has come in (from Gulfport) and been a pleasant surprise. We’ve had a great quarterback battle through (August) camp.’’

Crosby’s cousin and uncle played football for Long Beach and his father, Matt, played baseball for Long Beach and college ball at Southern Miss.

“We’re just looking to win games now,’’ Crosby said. “We’re putting in hard work and effort to turn it around. Our receivers have good hands, good speed and run good routes.’’

Evans said the team is working hard to become a contender in the region.

“I feel pretty good,’’ Evans said. “We’ve been working hard this summer and pushed ourselves as a team.’’

The offensive line consists of junior JT Tripp (6-3, 245), junior Joseph Olguin (5-10, 245), junior James Kneiss (5-11, 250), junior Bryce Warden (6-0, 245) and junior Jake Strong (5-11, 205). Tripp started in 2015.

Senior Jaylen Bankston (5-8, 180) is the starter at running back in the Spread Gun offense. The receiving corps includes senior Matthew Cropper (5-10, 165), junior Da’juan Masters (5-10, 175), junior Tony Young (6-1, 175) and senior Bishop Jones (5-10, 170). Cropper is coming off an injury-plagued junior season.

“Matthew had a rough year staying healthy,’’ Williams said. “He is a legit 4-4 kid. He has good hands. I’m excited he is back and healthy.’’

Senior linebacker Jarius Warren (6-3, 255) leads an experienced defense.

“We have big expectations for Jarius,’’ Williams said. “He’s had eight or nine Division I offers. He has a good nose for the ball and a great physical frame. We expect big things out of him to lead the defense.’’

The linebacker corps includes Warren, senior Dustin Bryant (5-9, 190), sophomore Cameron Williams (6-0, 190), junior Tyson Callahan (5-11, 195) and junior Tony Young.

Starting down linemen are senior Trevon Taylor (6-0, 235), junior Torique Bester (5-10, 245) and junior Caleb Gowens (5-10, 230).

The secondary starters are sophomore Jadarius Perkins (5-9, 155), junior Tony Pham (5-7, 150) and junior Derek Young (5-9, 165).

Williams said he had three senior kickers competing to handle extra points and field goals and “looks for more consistency’’ in the kicking game.

The Bearcats open Region 4-5A play on the road at Pascagoula on Sept. 23 and Hattiesburg on Sept. 30. It is a rare football meeting with Hattiesburg and the first since state playoffs were revived in 1981. Home region games are with Pearl River Central, Gautier, Picayune and West Harrison.

The Bearcats won two of their last three region games with Picayune and West Harrison, and Williams wants to see that momentum continue.

“We are looking for more of that this year,’’ Williams said.

This story was originally published August 25, 2016 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Bearcats look to make move in Region 4-5A."