Monroe Bearcats: 2019 Washington high school 4A football preview

Here is an inside look at the 2019 Monroe Bearcats football team. Links: Monroe Bearcats team page | 2019 schedule 2018 IN REVIEW 4-6 in 4A Wesco (fourth

Here is an inside look at the 2019 Monroe Bearcats football team.

Links: Monroe Bearcats team page | 2019 schedule

2018 IN REVIEW

4-6 in 4A Wesco (fourth place); lost to Graham-Kapowsin in 4A districts

COACHING RESUME

Michael Bumpus, fifth season

30-13 record

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense - 6. Defense - 6.

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

WR Efton Chism III, 5-11, 190, sr.

OL David Erickson, 6-3, 210, sr.

QB Gio Fregoso, 5-11, 180, sr.

WR Trey Lane, 5-7, 150, jr.

RB Blake Rybar, 6-1, 205, sr.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

DB Efton Chism III, 5-11, 190, sr.

LB George Kelley, 5-11, 185, sr.

DL Ethan Keyser, 6-4, 200, sr.

DB Trey Lane, 5-7, 150, jr.

LB Blake Rybar, 6-1, 205, sr.

THREE TO SEE

Efton Chism III, wide receiver

His coach, and ex-WSU wideout, thinks this EWU commit is best route-runner in state

Gio Fregoso, quarterback

Came to program as a receiver, but quickly took job as sophomore and ran with it

Blake Rybar, linebacker

Two-way all-Wesco first-teamer overlooked because he just makes plays

OUTLOOK

Even though he had a stable of high-ceiling talent, Bumpus knew featuring an inexperienced junior-heavy lineup last season could produce mixed results -- and it did as the Bearcats missed the state playoffs for the first time in three years.

This year, they have no excuses.

Very few 4A teams in the state can boast a pair of two-way, all-league first teamers like Monroe can with Chism (WR/CB) and Rybar (MLB/RB), who are game-changing performers.

In fact, Chism might be the most complete player in the state in all three phases: he not only caught 12 touchdown passes, but he was the team’s backup quarterback, and threw for four scores. He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns -- and has elite coverage skills on defense as well.

The Bearcats have a brutal slate of early games (Eastlake, Woodinville, Lake Stevens), and if they can hang with those three 4A contenders, it might start the makings of a special season.

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept. 6: Eastlake, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13: Woodinville, 7 p.m.

Sept. 20: at Lake Stevens, 7 p.m.

Sept. 27: Mariner, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4: at Mount Vernon, 7 p.m.

Oct. 11: Jackson, 7 p.m.

Oct. 18: at Kamiak, 7 p.m.

Oct. 25: Glacier Peak, 7 p.m.

Nov. 1: at Cascade of Everett, 7 p.m.