Location: Little Rose Bowl

Date: September 9, 2022

Time: 7:00pm CDT

Game Notes

MAQ VALLEY is in full blown Black Eyed Peas mode: runnin, runnin and runnin, runnin. Through two weeks, the Wildcats have 697 yards of total offense…a whopping 637 of them (or 91.3 percent) have come on the ground. Lance McShane has 452 of those yards on just 42 carries (over 10 yards a tote), with 9 TD. He has rushed for over 200 yards and had at least 4 TD in each of the first two contests. Four other ball carries are averaging at least 3 yards per carry (Taten Indorf, TJ Cook, Dylan Knipper, and Devin Meeks). Don't sleep on the MV defense, however, They may be as stingy on defense as the Wildcat rushing offense is powerful. Led by Aidan Salow (5.5 TFL, 18 tackles) and McShane (7 TFL), MV has allowed just 130.5 yards and 7 points per game to opponents. 

WEST BRANCH had its first road test of the season, it passed with high marks. Back home in week 3, the Bears hope to be able to break the MV Wildcat barrier. Andy Henson had his first 100 yard game of the season. His backfield mate, QB Tye Hughes, did much of his damage on the ground in week 2 - 55 yards and 2 rushing TD. What is even more impressive, is the Bear defense collected yet another scoop and score. This time by OLB Jack McCullough, 27 yards out. That is 4 of 4 on fumble recoveries going for touchdowns if you're keeping track at home - one of the more odd/impressive statistics I've ever seen. The Bear defense, led by Henson and Reese Trepanier (among others), are giving up just 96 yards per game on the ground to opponents. It'll be a classic immovable object vs. unstoppable force scenario (WB rush defense vs. MV rush offense).

KEEP AN EYE ON - McShane. He is the bell cow on offense, and is the heart of the Wildcat defense as well.

QUOTABLE - “We are excited to play a good team for our Throwback Night. A lot of former players are returning to West Branch for this game. It will be a hard fought battle by both teams.” - West Branch Head Coach Butch Pedersen

Team Records & Rankings

Maquoketa Valley is 2-0 on the season and is unranked. West Branch is 2-0 and is ranked #4.

Last Meeting

In 2021, the Bears defeated the Wildcats 52-0 at Delhi. 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 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.