Location: Mediapolis

Date: September 24, 2021

Time: 7:00pm CDT

Game Notes

MEDIAPOLIS is a team that isn't going to hide from their identity. They want to punish you at the line of scrimmage and run the ball 75 percent of the game. It will waste the clock away, and it will wear down their opponents. Wearing on opposing teams this season is RB Anthony Isley (707 yards, 8 TD, 12.2 yards per carry). He rushed for 285 yards against the Bears in the 2020 matchup (2nd most yards all-time as a postseason visitor to the Little Rose Bowl). Very shifty, yet very powerful back. QB Ben Egan is also quite capable of beating you with his feet (5.2 yards per carry, 37 rushes). He also throws the ball an average of 14 times per contest. K/P Drew Miller is arguably one of the best in the entire state of Iowa. Oh, by the way, the trio of Isley, Egan, and Miller are junior, junior, and sophomore, respectively.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Isley. Need I say more?

WEST BRANCH began its district season with a comfortable win over Louisa-Muscatine. Many players, including fresh-soph team members, were able to see action. After two weeks of no real challenge from an opponent, you had better believe the Bears will need to have the helmet strapped on tight this week. A majority of the varsity players remember the feeling of losing in 2020. They will need to forget that, and focus on each play. The defensive unit will be tested. Let's hope they are up to the challenge as much as they have been the first four weeks of the season. Giving up just 29 points combined and less than 140 yards per contest. 

QUOTABLE: “This is one of the better teams we will face. They are very well coached. We will need to play our best." -- Coach Butch Pedersen

GO BEARS!

Team Records & Rankings

Both teams enter this week unranked; West Branch is receiving votes, and sits at 3-1 (1-0 in Class 1A District 5). Mediapolis is 3-1 (0-1).

Last Meeting

The Bulldogs defeated the Bears 20-13 in the 2020 postseason. 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 Jarod Tylee 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.