Bear Creek football improves to 5-0 on the season with homecoming win over Mountain Range

LAKEWOOD — Bear Creek senior Jonathan Brink still might be running down the field at Jeffco Stadium.

The speedy receiver and return specialist had touchdown receptions of 78 and 24 yards in the first half, along with kickoff returns that went the distance of 92 and 78 yards. Brink had four touchdowns as the Bears rolled to a 49-13 victory Thursday night over Mountain Range.

“Thankfully, I’m pretty conditioned. I was not that out of breath,” Brink said with a smile when asked about his 272 yards worth of touchdown plays in the first half.

After a bit of a sluggish first offensive possession on homecoming night, the Bears’ defense forced a turnover after Mountain Range (2-3, 1-1 in Class 4A Front Range League) had driven into Bear Creek’s red zone.

In typical form of Bear Creek coach Tom Thenell, the Bears (5-0, 2-0) went for the quick strike after the turnover. Senior quarterback Riley Wilson hit Brink in stride for a 78-yard touchdown.

“When there is a quick change (turnover) we are going to do something to attack,” Thenell said of the first score of the game. “That is my style.”

Wilson eventually tossed three touchdowns and had a 23-yard touchdown run late in third quarter for the final score of the conference game.

“There is no beating Jonah’s speed,” Wilson said of Brink, who is also a track standout for Bear Creek. “When that play is called I’m looking at the safety and I’m looking for Jonah. He is going to outrun every safety in this league.”

After Mountain Range tied things up 7-7 early in the second quarter, Brink was back off to the races. It took him 15 seconds to return the ensuing kickoff 92 yards to the end zone.

“I honestly it was right in the middle of us (Brink and Elijah Hargrove) and I caught it,” Brink said of the 92-yard touchdown return. “When I saw the hole I knew I had to score right here.”

The second touchdown return wasn’t as clean. It took a little while for Brink to grab the ball on the 22-yard line, but once he got past the first wave of defenders he was gone again for a 78-yard kickoff return.

“We stand him (Brink) and Elijah back there. Teams won’t kick it to Elijah,” Thenell said of Brink and Hargrove deep on kickoff return. “I keep on telling Elijah that they will start kicking it to you because teams will stop kicking it to him (Brink).”

Brink finished off the half and 4-touchdown performance with a 24-yard touchdown catch from Wilson with 7 seconds left before halftime. Brink had dropped a sure touchdown a few plays before.

“I gave him a hard time just joking around with him,” Wilson said of Brink’s drop. “He got it right back so I loved that.”

Brink finished with four catches for 124 yards and the two receiving touchdown by halftime.

“After the first drop I was very bummed because I didn’t think I would get another chance at it,” Brink said. “I told Riley to give me one more chance. It worked out like clockwork with the same play.”

Bear Creek’s offense put up 40-plus points for the fourth time this season. Senior Dylan Thomas had a rushing and receiving touchdown to get into the scoring action. Mountain Range put up a good fight trailing just 14-13 midway through the second quarter before the Bears took full command.

“I’m glad homecoming week is over,” Thenell said. “We are on to some teams now where it is more fun where we are competing and playing for something.”

There is no hibernation plan for Bear Creek’s football team this season.

The Bears were 1-9 in conference play over the past two seasons in the Class 4A South Metro League. Bear Creek has already surpassed its league win total from the past two years.

“These are guys who were playing in those games,” Thenell said of his veteran returners who have been with Thenell since he returned to Bear Creek in 2024. “We were in the best (4A) league in the state the last two years. We gave yourselves every chance to compete and win, but we came up short. Now we have to fun a way to win those.”

Bear Creek begins a critical stretch hosting Monarch (3-1, 1-0) at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at Trailblazer Stadium. The Bears head up to the North Area Athletic Complex on Oct. 9 to face Golden (3-1, 1-0).

“I feel like we can’t let our foot off the gas,” Brink said of the league games coming up. “Considering how last year went. We started off good and then tailed off at the end. Monarch and Golden are both really good teams with good coaches and good players.”