Location: Little Rose Bowl

Date: October 23, 2020

Time: 7:00pm CDT

Game Notes

MEDIAPOLIS is a team that is used to being in postseason, evidenced by this being the 18th time the Bulldogs have qualified. Tough, powerful, relentless. Just some of the words that are usual synonymous with football in Mepo. In 2020, that is definitely the case. The Dogs only have 6 seniors on their roster, so it could be the beginning of a return to the Dome (2012 - Runner Up). Do-it-all sophomore RB/LB Anthony Isley seems to be the head of the pack. He leads the team with 669 rushing yards and 9 rushing TD. Isley is also the leading tackler and tackle for loss man on defense (52 and 14.5, respectively).

Mediapolis has five players with 260 yards rushing or more, compared to West Branch's two. Josh Darbyshire (260), Kadin Salek (446), and Regan Thornburg (283) round out the foursome. Meaning: they come at you from different directions,

However, do not let that lull you into thinking the dogs are a one dimensional football team. Thornburg has thrown for just shy of 1000 yards and has 16 TD passes as well. His top receiver is Cole Lipper (166 rec yards, 3TD).

Freshman place kicker Drew Miller is a weapon. He leads all of Class 1A with 16 touchbacks, and is third in total kickoff yards. When you make a team play the field position game...on every possession...that is like novocaine - sooner or later it will wear you down. 

Misdirection. Play Action. West Coast. Zone Read. This team will throw the kitchen sink at you...and you had better be prepared for a literal dog fight.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Isley - he has a noticeable initial speed burst, and will not let go on defense. A talented young player. 

WEST BRANCH enjoyed its first in-season bye week since October 8, 2010. That goes with being a district champion in 2020. Now, it is back to work - punch in at the time clock. 

The Bears ended the regular season on a 4-game win streak. It also entered itself back in the conversation as a balanced contender.

Andy Henson has emerged as one of the better running backs, statistically, in Class 1A over that time. Averaging over 170 yards in the final two games of the regular season, the Bear offensive line may be hitting their peak. 

QB Gavin Hierseman finished the season with 1232 passing yards in just six games. It is the reemergence of his rushing that has helped Henson as well. You cannot just pack the box to stop one guy with the Bears anymore. 

Much like Mediapolis has a multi-dimensional rushing attack, the Bears pack a multi-receiver punch. West Branch is the only team in Class 1A with at least four players at 20 receptions or more. Henson, Simon Palmer, Peyton Miller, and Carver Boelk are that foursome. 

Defensively, Cael Fiderlein and Jeff Bowie lead the way. The senior duo have collected 49 tackles and 10 TFL, respectively.

While the numbers are not there, the improved play of DT Jack Buol has been a significant strength for the Bear defense. He has bottlenecked the interior, forcing would be runners to halt in their tracks and allowing WB defenders to run them down in the backfield.

QUOTABLE: "They (Mediapolis) are a very fundamentally sound football team. They will blitz you from all over and run a very diverse offense. We will need to be at our best to win this game." - West Branch Head Coach Butch Pedersen

Team Records & Rankings

Both teams ended the season unranked.

Last Meeting

This will be the first meeting between the two teams.

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.