The feeling of déjà vu hit Damon Floyd somewhere along the drive home after a recent preseason scrimmage.
The memory of the rash of injuries that sabotaged his program’s 2024 season were still fresh in Floyd’s mind when Bradley Central’s veteran head coach began to wonder if his 2025 team was experiencing a repeat. After all, that injury bug began biting the Bears extremely early last year when starting quarterback Tyler Cook was lost to a knee injury on the third play of the season opener, and now it had happened again.
Cook, now a senior, suffered a shoulder injury during a recent scrimmage against Alcoa and will be lost for the season once again. This time, however, Floyd believes the Bears are better prepared to respond.
That includes having sophomore Tucker Cook, Tyler’s younger brother, ready to take the reins on offense. The younger Cook started six games at quarterback last year — despite being just 5-foot-8 and 110 pounds — before he was injured, too.
Floyd said he and his staff already have a contingency plan if an emergency starter is needed.