Preseason Preview: White Bear Lake Bears

Coming off a 3-6 finish to last season, with late wins over Stillwater, Roseville, and Osseo, the White Bear Lake Bears are a leaner and faster team angling for a big 2025 campaign. They return a handful of talented athletes who are looking to make a splash this fall. With a lot of monsters in the trenches, expect the Bears to be a tough task for any team to conquer.   2025 White Bear Lake Football Schedule:   8/28: Vs Park of Cottage Grove (Hall of Fame Night)   9/5: @ Coon Rapids   9/12: Vs Farmington (Youth Night)   9/19: @ East Ridge   9/26: Vs Forest Lake (Homecoming)   10/3: @ Stillwater   10/10: Vs Woodbury (Senior Night)   10/15: @ Mounds View    Fresh off an offer from the MIAC school Augsburg, La Pean has been exceptionally active on the camp circuit this fall, and it's been paying dividends. He split time between JV and varsity last season, but after the work he's put in this summer, it's looking like La Pean is coming into his own. As an undersized center, La Pean needs to play with some grit and physicality, and he does. One of his biggest strengths as an OL is his ability to pull and work in space, which is especially impressive considering La Pean is a center. When down blocking bigger defensive linemen, La Pean is able to get underneath their pads and drive them off the line with his fast feet. He's got some impressive weight room numbers as well, including a verifiable 305 bench. There's a lot to like from La Pean.     A standout track athlete who caught 32 balls for 370 yards and 3 TDs last season, Miles is the projected WR1 for the Bears next season. A quick, shifty, and versatile offensive weapon, Miles can be lined up across the field at a variety of spots, and even saw time last season as a running back. Whenever Miles gets the ball, he's a serious YAC threat. If you can get him in space, Miles can make defenders miss and find natural running lanes. Every time he touches the rock, there's a chance for a chunk play. He's got slot receiver at the next level written all over him, and I expect him to be one of the primary driving forces in White Bear Lake's offense this fall.     A recent transfer from 5A's Irondale, and also fresh off an Augsburg offer earlier this week, Okanlawon has the potential to be a tremendous stock riser this fall. He also boasts an offer from the NSIC team, Southwest Minnesota State out of Marshall, MN. Touting a super quick first step off the line, Okanlawon plays with a mouthful of physicality, and he takes it out on QBs. He isn't displaced from the trenches easily, and constantly works toward the ball carrier throughout the play. At his best, Okanlawon uses his arms to shuck by blockers while clogging up run lanes. I expect him to be an instant impact player on the Bears' defense.     A 2025 season captain, OLB/LS Vincent Kazmierczak, is a returning starter looking to lead the Bears' defense this fall. When you watch his tape, the first thing that jumps out to you is Kazmierczak's positional versatility. He's got film as an edge rusher, traditional OLB, and defensive tackle. He's got a high motor and works well through the wash across the middle of the field to get to the ball carrier. His veteran presence on that defense looks to be a key part of what success the Bears will have in 2025.     Animasaun will be entering his 3rd year as the Bears' starting QB this fall, and I'm pumped to see what he can do. Last season, he passed for 1,488 yards and 8 TDs on a 54.1% completion percentage. He also put up 226 yards and a TD on the ground. When you watch his tape, his potential is clear. The dude is quick, especially in the pocket, and can sling the rock deep downfield off platform. And he's just as capable with his legs as he is with his arms. Animasuan is super slippery in the field and has shown that he can break tackles when scrambling for extra yards. At his best, Animasuan looks like one of the best QBs in his class. If he can put it all together during his senior season, the White Bear Lake offense could be exceptionally potent.     Another gritty offensive lineman and a varsity heavyweight wrestler, Kringle is a returning guard who should provide a beacon of stability to the Bears' offensive line this fall. On his tape, Kringle is a monster when he's pulling. He's an extremely physical puller, and that physicality translates directly to how he run blocks. When he's asked to protect his QB, Kringle is a patient setter who has shown the ability to pick up blitzes and stunts. Expect Kringle to be a key part of White Bear Lake's trench success.     Last season's RB1 for the Bears is returning for his junior year, and with two more years to continue to develop, the future is bright. Last year, he got 67 touches for 401 yards and a TD, all while averaging an astounding 6.0 YPC. On his limited tape, White is an explosive zone runner with a knack for finding cutback lanes. He is, however, definitely a name to keep an eye out for going forward. 2025 could be a breakout year for the junior ball carrier.     An OL/DL who teammates think could emerge as an impact player on varsity during his junior year, Golda brings some beef to the trenches for the Bears. He doesn't have a ton of tape from his sophomore year, but what he does have is encouraging. He's a tank, and he uses his size well. He's a tough ask to drive from the line of scrimmage, and often requires several linemen to displace him. When he needs to, he can split a double team and make a tackle in the wash.

Coming off a 3-6 finish to last season, with late wins over Stillwater, Roseville, and Osseo, the White Bear Lake Bears are a leaner and faster team angling for a big 2025 campaign. They return a handful of talented athletes who are looking to make a splash this fall. With a lot of monsters in the trenches, expect the Bears to be a tough task for any team to conquer.