Bears looking to bounce back after missing the playoffs.

Merced High coach Rob Scheidt felt if there was one thing missing from the Bears last season it was the big plays.

He’s not just referring to the offense. Defenses can turn a game around with a big stop or a turnover in crucial moments. Merced had a hard time doing that, which led to some tough losses.

The Bears let a 14-point lead slip away in the second half in a 48-42 loss to Madera. The next week Pitman erased an 18-point lead in the second half to defeat Merced 50-47.

It’s those type of gut-wrenching losses that can derail a season.

“You have to find ways to win,” Scheidt said. “You can’t teach that. If we get out there again this year and our guys find a way to lose, we’ll be 4-6 again. We had three of those games right in a row last year. If we win them, we’re probably in the playoffs. We had other games that were close in the fourth quarter and we didn’t get it done.”

Scheidt is hoping his guys have learned from those experiences. The Bears return 16 starters combined on both sides of the ball.

On paper, Merced has all the elements you need to be successful. They have a three-year quarterback in Dhameer Warren. A potential game-changer with his arm and legs. The Bears have experienced receivers in Xavier Stewart, Ezra Morales and Desmond Thompson, who will also see time at running back. Merced also is big up front Clifford Johnson and Marc-Anthony Martinez.

Many of those guys will also impact the game on defense with players like Ronnie Miranda, Xavier Wilson-Ortiz, Jesse Quiralte, Logan Williams, Ke’Saun Eddings and Cody Chapman.

“A lot of those losses were turnovers,” said Warren, who threw 15 interceptions last season. Sometimes it was the defense not getting it done, sometimes it was the offense. I think we have a lot more experience this year. I think we trust each other more.”

The Bears will give teams some different looks. Stewart has moved from the secondary to defensive end, which gives the Bears an athletic pass rusher on the edge.

Don’t be surprised to see senior Junior Garcia rotate in at quarterback. He’s split reps in camp with Warren. When Garcia comes in you may see Warren at running back or receiver.

“I know almost all the positions,” Warren said. “I know what the linemen are supposed to do. I know what the receivers are supposed to do. I’ll play where ever they need me to play.”

Chapman may make an impact on both sides of the ball as a sophomore. He’ll see time at linebacker and is also in the mix at running back, where it looks like the Bears will go with a committee approach.

“We kind of have to be,” Scheidt said. “I don’t feel I can put it all on one guy. We have a plan A and a plan B. Plan B would involve moving some other people to running back like Xavier and Dhameer. We feel we’re a better team with them playing other positions.”

The Bears are going to score. They have too many weapons not too. The question will be can Merced limit the turnovers that plagued them last season and can the defense make stops when needed.

“Last year was my first year not making the playoffs on varsity,” Stewart said. “I want to go out with a bang for my senior year. We need to set the foundation for the younger players.”

This story was originally published August 16, 2018 at 6:07 PM.