Location: Durant High School

Date: October 2, 2020

Time: 7:00pm CDT

Game Notes

DURANT is playing very solid football in 2020. Their lone loss came in Week 5 to Dyersville Beckman (whom West Branch will face in Week 7). Most of their damage and success coming on the fleet feet of sophomore RB Nolan Delong. He, along with Cascade RB Jack Menster, leads all of Class 1A with 893 rushing yards. Quick math: he is averaging 223 yards per game. Delong gains a mind boggling 12 yards per tote. Durant's offense pretty much goes where he goes. Although, QB Keagan Head is totaling 62 yards rushing per contest and 100 yards passing as well. The number one receiving target is Tony Dillabough (155 yards). Delong also paces the Wildcat defense with 29.5 tackles. 

KEEP AN EYE ON: Could there be any other player here? Obviously, Mr. Delong. Where he goes, so go the 'Cats.

WEST BRANCH is playing at or near its peak...at the right time. The Bears have a pretty solid sophomore RB (Andy Henson) as well. Henson has eclipsed the 100 yard rushing barrier the last two weeks, and has scored two times in each of the last three games. QB Gavin Hierseman scored his first, second, and third rushing TD's in week five. West Branch is holding its opponents to just shy of 13 points on defense (subtracting a Cascade INT for TD), and have not allowed an opponent over 260 yards in district play. WR Peyton Miller has 26 receptions on the season, which paces ALL of Class 1A. 

QUOTABLE: "He (Delong) is a great back that will be tough to slow down. We have played in some close games at Durant the last few times there. We need to come out ready from the opening kickoff. This is a big game for both teams." - West Branch Head Coach Butch Pedersen

Team Records & Rankings

Durant is 3-1 (1-1 in District 5) and unranked, but receiving votes. West Branch is 3-2 (1-1 in D5) and unranked, but receiving votes. 

Last Meeting

In 2017, Beau Cornwell booted a 42 yard field goal with less than a minute remaining. Evan O'Neil intercepted a Wildcat pass attempt on the ensuing drive. The Bears won a thriller, 24-23. 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.