Who would have figured?

When the Butler County Bears were formed four years ago, the team was met with a bit of skepticism.

Semi-pro football teams had come before them around here — the Western PA Warhawks and a New Castle squad come to mind — only to fade away rather quickly.

Finding enough players to commit to practice is difficult enough. Finding enough sponsors and fundraisers to keep a summer football team viable financially is an even bigger challenge.

Finally, gaining support from the community is the toughest hurdle to overcome.

But the Bears may have done it.

Their Ohio Football League playoff game last weekend at Butler’s Memorial Park carried the atmosphere of a Butler Area Midget Football League Saturday night in terms of spectator turnout.

The stands were filled and people were camped out along the hillside behind the bleachers. Many of the folks on hand were donning Butler County Bears shirts and caps.

It was football.

And people around here like football.

This is the Bears’ fourth different league in as many years. That’s how shaky semi-pro football can be.

Teams fold. Teams forfeit games. The future stability of a league can come under question.

Bears owner-coach Kirk Bergbigler has recognized all of that. He’s moved his team to different leagues to ensure its survival and may have finally found a home in the Ohio Football League.

There’s not much travel involved and the competition has been solid.

Other than more personal foul penalties than most fans care to see — an unfortunate by-product of football at this level — the Bears have proven to be an entertaining product.

They’ve rushed for 1,500 yards and 21 touchdowns this season. They’ve thrown for another 1,400 yards and 20 TDs.

Quarterback Erik Fuhrer, leading receiver Stephon Conto and leading tackler Justin Switzer are former Karns City High School players. Running back James Shope played at Moniteau. Backup quarterback Bob Manno played at Slippery Rock.

Receiver Brian Perry is from Seneca Valley, defenders Bill and Josh McCaslin from Butler. Stellar linebacker Randall Palakovich played at Aliquippa.

Most of these guys are in their 20s now, still athletic, still desiring to don the helmet and shoulder pads.

The Butler County Bears have grown into a 52-player unit. They practice twice a week and go through offseason conditioning together.

This group is still very serious about football.

The Bears have reached the playoffs — and won playoff games — in each of their past two seasons.

But they’re doing more than winning games these days.

They’re beginning to win over the public.