Location: Little Rose Bowl

Date: August 28, 2020

Time: 7:00pm CDT

Game Notes

TIPTON enters the 2020 season with a few holes to fill. However, Peyton Elijah should help cement things quickly. The speedy left-handed signal caller will play a central role in the play of the Tigers. He scored three different ways last season: rushing, receiving, and passing. The talented back also averaged nearly 40 yards a punt and picked off seven balls on defense. For he and his backfield mates, Lake Anderson and Levi Daniel, to find success, they'll look no further than the beef in front of them. The Tigers may have one of the larger and stronger offensive lines West Branch will face all season. Led by very talented Nile Schuett, Tipton will average nearly 250-270 pounds across the board. That could play a role in wearing teams down.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Levi Daniel - the sophomore running back takes over as a lead ball carrier. 

WEST BRANCH faces a similar challenge to Tipton as it begins the 2020 season: filling in holes left by graduation. 17 of 22 starting positions were open as The Bears began practice in early August. However, the Bears return players at very key positions. Future Iowa Hawkeye Jeff Bowie returns to lead the line play on both sides of the ball. A four-year starter on defense, Bowie collected a staggering 22 tackles for loss in the 2019 campaign. Also returning,  Senior QB Gavin Hierseman (over 2000 total yards and 27 TD) hopes to find new targets and continued success. Morgan Hartz returns on the offensive line as well. Senior Cael Fiderlein is back to be called upon for kicking duties. He was near perfect last season, going 44 of 45 on extra points and 7 for 7 on field goal attempts.

QUOTABLE: "We are a very quick team, but a very green team. I am anxious to see how our young guys react to the lights on Friday. I feel they are ready for some live game action." - West Branch Head Coach Butch Pedersen

Team Records & Rankings

Tipton begins the season unranked. West Branch is ranked 3rd in the CR Gazette and 9th in the Des Moines Register.

Last Meeting

In 2019, outlasted the Tigers 24-14 in a hard-fought battle on the gridiron of Tipton. 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.