Location: Cascade High School

Date: October 18, 2019

Time: 7:00pm CDT

Game Notes

CASCADE has seen highs, lows, and then highs again this season. Having played one of the tougher out of district schedules of any team in Iowa, the Cougars know what it takes to compete. Since starting the season 1-4, they have rattled off back to back wins to keep their playoff hopes alive....and they need to win out to secure a spot. Leading that charge is 6'5" signal caller Jackson McAleer (515 yds, 4 TD, 39 pct completion rate). He has three main targets in Carter Green, Tanner Simon, and big TE Alex Aitchison. At RB, Colby Holmes is tallying over 100 rushing yards per game (725 total, 7TD) and is a threat. It is Senior Night in Western Dubuque county. The Cougars want nothing more than to win this game and stay alive in the Class 1A, District 4 title race. A loss would end any chance at a postseason berth for Cascade.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Aitchison. A big offensive target but a menacing defensive lineman. At 6'6" an 210 pounds, he uses his size and athleticism to punish would be blockers. Currently leads Class 1A with 7.5 sacks.

WEST BRANCH played, arguably, its best all-around game of the season in Week 7. Offensively, 42 points was good. 380 yards was good. Completing nearly 75 percent of its passes was good. Gaining over 200 yards on the ground was good. Scoring another defensive touchdown was good. Limiting a team to just over 100 yards was good. I could go on but you get the point. RB Tanner Lukavsky had his best game, statistically, of the season. 190 rushing yards. 3 touchdowns. He also completed a pass. DL Jeff Bowie rumbled 93 yards for a score after recovering a fumble. That is a school record for the longest fumble recovery return and longest fumble recovery return for a TD.

QUOTABLE: "We need to keep in mind to go out and work hard on every single play. From practice to Friday nights under the lights. You will improve each day and become a better team." - Head Coach Butch Pedersen

Our weekly game preview is presented by EMS Detergent Services and Main Street Sweets.

Team Records & Rankings

Cascade (3-4, 2-1) is unranked. West Branch (7-0, 3-0) is ranked 3rd in Class 1A by the Cedar Rapids Gazette and DSM Register, and 6th in the AP poll.

Last Meeting

In 2018, West Branch defeated the Cougars on Senior Night in West Branch, scoring 26 unanswered points to win 26-6. View more from that game.

Media & Broadcast Coverage

The BearCast will be on the play-by-play call. If you cannot be at the game, let us bring the game to you on your computer or smartphone. Head to the BearCast page here on the website, or, on iOS and Android devices, download the Mixlr app and search for "West Branch Football."

Tune in to the BearCast at 6:30 for the pregame where Steven Grace, Mike Quinlan, and Jerry Fleagle will be calling the game live, offering in-game analysis and halftime/postgame interviews.

For print media, the Cedar Rapids Gazette, the West Branch Times, YourPrepSports.com, and WestBranch.Football will be at the the game.