In 2022, Montgomery went through some changes and growing pains.
A first-time varsity head coach in Grant Cooper. A young roster tasked at following up the first district title in 32 years. A tough nondistrict slate.
Yes, the Bears finished with a 3-8 record. But they challenged themselves the first four weeks. They won the District 10-5A (Div. II) games they needed to win for a third straight playoff berth. And then the Bears put up a huge fight against an eventual state runner-up in Port Neches-Groves during the first round of the playoffs.
A year older, a year wiser, Montgomery is back in 2023 and ready to roll.
“For the guys coming back, it’s a confidence booster and shows them what they’re capable of,” Cooper said. “We’ve just got to put it all together.”
A couple games from last year stand out to Cooper. A 41-20 loss to Argyle in Week 4 and then the 38-17 bi-district loss to PNG, which was a one-touchdown game heading into the fourth quarter.
“We had a lot games kind of like that,” Cooper said. “We played Argyle – who was the No. 1 team in the state – and that should have been a seven-point game at halftime. We get inside the red zone and can’t score on fourth down. We get the ball in the second half, we drive down the field – we had a chance to take the lead on those guys. It was just too many mistakes for a young team.”
Cooper, a Montgomery alum who was elevated to head coach last year after serving as offensive coordinator, is feeling good in year two.
“It’s amazing the difference between year one and year two,” Cooper said. “Last year, we felt like we were drinking from the fire hose. This year, you have a plan. Each team and each group is new. We’re doing some things different this year than last year just because it’s a new team.”
Montgomery had an exciting sophomore quarterback in Reggie Williams, who threw for nearly 1,700 yards, rushed for over 1,000 and totaled 28 touchdowns (15 passing, 13 rushing).
“He really did (burst on the scene),” Cooper said. “He’s improved on the things he struggled with. He had a great spring and looks really, really good. He has good command of our offense. Our offense coordinator Danny Ramsey does a really good job coaching him up and getting him ready.”
Williams will benefit from an experienced offensive line. Four seniors – Isaac Moore, Marek Montgomery, Daryl Hedtke and Cooper Hydock lead up the group with Zane Cooper at center.
“Offensive line-wise, everyone who is going to start has a ton of experience,” Cooper said. “We graduated a couple seniors, but we played a lot. We feel really good about those guys.”
Damian Taylor, a junior, leads the running back corps. Blake Wedgeman, a junior, and DQ Swapsy, a sophomore, both were plagued by injuries last year.
A wide receiver, junior Talan Shavers steps up in the role at slot. Jake Wilson is a 6-foot-5 target on the outside while Kaden Canada and Nick Shivers give Williams two more targets over 6-foot.
Bo Bruce (tight end) returns and the H-back spot will be handled by Brock Ruda and Lane Scott.
On defense, the Bears are a little thinner on experience.
“We graduated quite a bit,” Cooper said. “But we feel good about our young talent. We’ll start two seniors. We’ll be young again, but we have a ton of guys with experience.”
Nick Sarandis and Caden Bishop are the two seniors.
Prince Holiday, a sophomore returns after a strong start to his high school career on the defensive line. Zach Hayden and Layne Vandiver will be looked upon to contribute there.
Blaise Olivani converted from defensive line to linebacker.
Keilan Carver (three interceptions last year) is the leader of the secondary, which is the most inexperienced position group on defense coming into the year.
Montgomery takes another round of tough nondistrict games with New Caney, Barbers Hill, Dayton and Argyle.
District play starts with two tough ones against Huntsville and the defending district champs, Lake Creek.
“We’re excited about this year,” Cooper said. “The offseason was phenomenal. Spring ball was really good and we have some many questions answered. We like where we’re at heading into the season.”
