Some things you can always count on: The sun coming up, Tax Day on April 15, and Patrick Bearse returning to coach another year of La Verne/ San Dimas Pop Warner football.

“I love watching the kids grow and develop as players and young men,” he said, about to blow his whistle signaling the start of another hot August practice. “Football offers the kids not only a great athletic experience, but a great life experience. We’re a family out here.”

Bearse, like most football coaches, is tough, but he has a sentimental streak as wide as the Grand Canyon and as long as Foothill Blvd.

“The memories these kids make out here last a lifetime,” he said. “I love seeing it. The evidence that I’m doing something right is having a past player, from high school or even out of high school,  stop by and say hello and root us on.”

For example, the Bonita varsity’s Justin Darbyshire, a defensive back, and Jake Riley, a quarterback, played for Bearse and now practice and play on Friday nights on the Bearcats’ artificial turf inside Glenn Davis Stadium.

Bearse believes he’s got some new up-and-comers that will soon be filling out the Bearcats’ and San Dimas Saints’ rosters.

“Quality, yes,” Bearse said. “There’s a lot of talent on this team. They’re very coachable and very moldable. They’re good kids. They have a lot of enthusiasm. Their attendance has been strong.  Now, we’ve got to coach ‘em up and get ‘em to where they need to be.”

In two early-season scrimmages, LVSD tied Diamond Bar and beat Pasadena. But lying in wait are regular-season powerhouses Fontana and Rancho Cucamonga, teams that draw from much larger cities. Still, Bearse like his team’s chances.

The Romans feature quarterback Andrew Garcia, an outstanding baseball player who is trying football for the first time. “He’s still learning the position,” said Bearse, who clearly sees enough potential in Garcia to start him in such a strategic role.

The Romans’ running back corps includes standouts Romeo Gutierrez, Eric Ware and Richard Cochran.

Opening the holes for them will be top players like David Label and Jesse Toro. “My ‘O’ line is outstanding,” Bearse added. “They’re outstanding.”

On defense, Bearse again said he was pleased with his players’ intensity, citing the efforts of Nick Provenzano, Nathan Evarez, Amir Ainsworth, and Nathan Smedley, in particular. He added that other players on his team will also soon be making names for themselves as the season progresses.

It’s not certain how this year’s season for the Romans will unfold. You can count on one thing, however. Bearse will be back win, lose or draw.  Bearse is assisted by Mario Provenzano, also in his 13th year of coaching, Christopher Bearse, Steve Ojeda, Steve Sizemore and Mark Lowary.

“I’d like to start over with another young team and take them through every division,” said Bearse, an L.A. County Sheriff.  His wife, overhearing the conversation nearby, just smiled.

Player and parents both need to be in great shape all season long. For the best results, call Fitness Results at either its San Dimas studio at (909) 305-0188 or our Upland fitness center at (909) 608-1780. Also, visit the Fitness Results website at www.fitnessresults.com.

Romans Roster

Amir Ainsworth

Brett Browning

Ryan Cheyne

Richard Cochran

Nathan Collier

Matthew Corona

Christian Fitoria

Al Franco

Andrew Garcia

Romeo Gutierrez

Matthew Johnson

David Label

Blake Lowary

Jaylyn Medina

Danny Muller

Grant Muller

Nathan Nevarez

Tristan Newlon

Steven Ojeda

Tyler Pina

Nick Provenzano

Christian Sims

Kevin Sizemore

Nathan Smedley

Baylee Smith

Adrian Sosa

Jess Toro

Tarrant Vinciguerra

Eric Ware