As the BEARS play two games this past Sunday, I felt like I was watching Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In their first game against the RAVENS, the BEARS got outplayed and outcoached in a 25-0 shutout loss. Coach Lamar Russell’s offensive gameplan was predictable to put things lightly.

Then all of a sudden the BEARS were able to regroup and jump out to a 6-1 lead against the top-seeded STEELERS. Even though they ended up losing 8-6, the moral victory for the BEARS was that they were able to put forth a competitive effort against the best team in the league.

Against the STEELERS, Coach Russ decided to let Stephen Snoe take the some snaps under center. At first the young player was struggling to execute a fake-handoff play to teammate Anthony “Swag” Jagers. The exchanges were awkward and the timing was off between both players.

Although Snoe is a work in progress at QB given his inexperience at the position, I must give him high marks for persevering through his early mistakes to help his team score its only touchdown of the game. After deceiving the defense into biting on a fake handoff, Snoe quickly placed the ball in Swag’s hands and let one of the league’s top playmakers do the rest. The result of the play was a sensational touchdown play that Coach Russ will surely emphasize with his team during next week’s practice.

Grant “Head & Shoulders” Ganot is arguably the best player in the Youth League. On both sides of the ball he strikes fear into all of his opponents on account of his devastating playmaking ability. Despite Grant’s big plays, including a backbreaking interception that led to the STEELERS taking the lead for good, the BEARS did a great job of neutralizing him. Teshir Alston and Swag both converged on passes intended for Grant and intercepted them.

While back-to-back losses will be a tough pill for the BEARS to swallow as they prepare for Week 4, they should be encouraged by their spirited effort against the STEELERS.