Location: Dyersville

Date: October 9, 2020

Time: 7:00pm CDT

Game Notes

BECKMAN CATHOLIC has a chance to finish the Class 1A District 5 slate unscathed. They also have the chance to do something they've never done before: defeat West Branch. You can bet that tidbit is not lost on the players in Dyersville. Senior QB Nick Offerman is what Clark Kellogg would refer to as a "Stat Sheet Stuffer". He leads the Blazers in passing yards, rushing yards, and TD scored. His 18 total TD lead the entire district. Offerman's top target is Trent Koelker (28 rec, 497 yards, 6 TD). The speedy receiver leads the district in receptions, receiving TD, and receiving yards. WR Elliot Naughton has caught just seven balls on the season. However, (3) of those have led to touchdowns. He also leads the team with 7 TFL. Left-footed P/K Logan Burchard is a weapon in his own right. He leads the district with (4) touchbacks. That is a weapon that doesn't go unnoticed in a scouting report.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Naughton. He stirs the pot on defense; makes things happen. A player that is always around the football.

WEST BRANCH is playing at or near its peak...at the right time.  The Bear defense has been doing that all season. It held Class 1A leading rusher Nolan DeLong to just 17 yards last week on 14 carries (he was averaging 223 yards before the contest). Cael Fiderlein continues to lead the attack at LB, but DT Jack Buol is playing spirited football. Gumming up the works on the interior for would be ball carriers. RB Andy Henson rushed for a career high 170 yards in Week 6, showing the state that there is another sophomore RB in Class 1A to keep an eye on. Simon Palmer has become a nice safety valve for QB Gavin Hierseman, leading the Bears with (4) receiving TD. He, along with his WR mates Peyton Miller and Carver Boelk, will play pivotal roles in a West Branch offense that aims to be balanced on the ground and through the air.

QUOTABLE: "We have a chance to be a district champion with a win on Friday. It isn't going to be easy, because they (Beckman) are the best team we have seen on film. But we are going to do our best and hopefully that is enough." - West Branch Head Coach Butch Pedersen

Team Records & Rankings

Dyersville Beckman is 4-1 (4-0 in 1A-5) and ranked 9th in the DSM Register; receiving votes in the AP and CR Gazette. West Branch is 4-2 (2-1 in 1A-5) and unranked.

Last Meeting

In 2019, the Bears completed a perfect regular season by defeated the Blazers 44-20 at the Little Rose Bowl. 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.