Location: West Liberty High School

Date: September 4, 2020

Time: 7:00pm CDT

Game Notes

WEST LIBERTY began their season with a ground and pound victory over Mediapolis. The Comet attack was led by junior Jahsiah Galvan with 244 yards (10.8 yards per carry). Galvan has always been known as a speed back, but he showed grit and drive on inside runs. Once he gets into the second level...forget about it. Hello, Endzone. One of his favorite blockers, and a guy who saw the endzone two times himself, Kobi Simon, is an absolute nightmare to block when he is on defense. An elite level wrestler as well, Simon stands at six feet four and weights around 230. Junior Caleb Wolf takes over under center. His main target in week one, Joshua Zeman, averaged 27.5 yards PER RECEPTION. That big time playmaker ability may give the Bear defense question to pause. West Liberty is hoping to end a West Branch's nine-game win streak in the series. The Comets last defeated the Bears in 2004 (14-7 final score). 

KEEP AN EYE ON: Galvan - as if there would be any question who might be listed here. The speed and agility combination this young back possesses might not be matched by anyone on the WB schedule all season.

WEST BRANCH answered a few of the questions it faced entering the 2020 campaign. In particular, could it's defense be as stout as it was a year ago. Only allowing 200 yards and 8 points against a talented and physical Tipton squad is a good sign. Senior QB Gavin Hierseman picked up where he left off in 2019, throwing for 222 yards on a school record 23 completions (32 attempts). His main target was junior Peyton Miller, who hauled in 9 passes for 106 yards in his varsity debut. Cael Fiderlein paced the defense with 8.5 tackles - he also chipped in on the scoreboard with a 37 yard field goal to open the scoring for the Bears (his 8th career varsity FG in as many attempts). Tackle for loss machine Jeff Bowie did just that, adding 3 TFL on the night. Senior Morgan Hartz, and the Boelk Brothers (sophomores Carver and Kinnick), collected a turnover on defense. Sophomore RB Andy Henson racked up 69 yards in his first game as a varsity starter.

QUOTABLE: "This rivalry dates back a long, long time. They (WL) are a 2A team and a good team, so are probably the favorite. But we will be prepared to go down there and see what we can do." - WB Coach Butch Pedersen

Team Records & Rankings

West Liberty (1-0) is ranked number 7 in the first AP poll. West Branch is ranked 5th in the AP and CR Gazette; 7th in the Des Moines Register.

Last Meeting

In 2019, the Bears defeated the Comets 28-6 at West Liberty High School. 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.