Big Bear football 2026: A new QB, two injured players, and a first-year coach's early optimism

Sophomore Ryder Prudhomme steps in under center as Big Bear High opens its 2026 season without two-year starter Mason Duprey, who is facing knee surgery that could sideline him for the entire year. First-year head coach Nolan Brammer says the team is disciplined and coachable despite the injuries and roster depth concerns that will define Big Bear's season. For fans in the valley, the story is simple: a young, small-roster Grizzlies squad is rebuilding on the fly, and health will determine just how far they go.

A quarterback competition that ended early

Junior Mason Duprey had been Big Bear's starter for the past two seasons, but a knee injury changed everything heading into 2026. "He's scheduled for knee surgery so we're not sure he will be able to play this year," Brammer said^[1]. Duprey's own timeline and outlook were not available at the time the original report was published.

Into that void stepped Prudhomme, a sophomore who impressed Brammer enough in practice and the Aug. 6 intrasquad scrimmage to earn the starting job. "Ryder is a good kid, has an even keel, which is what you really want in a quarterback," Brammer said. "He's done a phenomenal job learning the offense."^[1]

Brammer also praised junior wide receiver Jacoby Cummings, who stood out during the intrasquad scrimmage^[1].

Injuries cloud a small roster

The depth concern got sharper during that same Aug. 6 scrimmage, when senior Jordan Weisshart hyperextended his knee and was seen on crutches on the sideline. "We'll see what happens with Jordan," Brammer said^[1]. Weisshart's own assessment of his injury was not included in the original reporting.

Brammer has been direct about what that means for the season. "The biggest thing going forward is staying healthy," he said. "The healthier we stay, the more successful we'll be this season."^[1] With a small roster, every player lost to injury carries more weight than it would at a larger program.

A coach who likes what he sees

Despite the early setbacks, Brammer was upbeat after the intrasquad scrimmage. "I'm so glad about the progress we've made," he said. "It's come a long way the last couple of weeks. I've never been part of such a disciplined and coachable team before."^[1]

The team's Aug. 14 scrimmage against Burroughs at BBHS Stadium — run like a real game with referees, two 12-minute periods, and a 10-minute break — was designed to give Brammer a first honest look at his squad against outside competition^[1]. The Grizzlies then opened the regular season at home against Boron on Aug. 21, with varsity kicking off at 7 p.m.^[1]

The balance of the season will depend heavily on whether Prudhomme can hold the offense together and whether the roster stays intact enough to compete in a demanding schedule.