Location: Little Rose Bowl

Date: October 22, 2021

Time: 7:00pm CDT

Game Notes

CARDINAL enters the postseason on a little bit of a lull. After beginning the season 5-0, the Comets have stumbled the last three weeks against Sigourney-Keota, Pella Christian, and Pleasantville (three postseason qualifiers). However, the offensive unit for this squad is a bit of a powder keg. It can explode quickly. QB Maddux Jones (1702 yards passing, 22 TD to 4 INT) is the highlight film. He averages just shy of 240 yards of total offense per game. When he drops back, he looks for big play WR Griffin Greiner (624 rec yards, 10 TD) and Landon Becker (436 rec yards, 5 TD) a majority of the time. The Comets average a staggering 17 yards per completion. Oh, by the way, Greiner leads the Comet defense with 83.5 tackles on the season, 7.5 of which are for a loss. 

KEEP AN EYE ON: Jones. The Bears will need to, at the very least, keep up with him.

WEST BRANCH is hoping it can continue to grow on offense as it has throughout the season. RB Andy Henson continues to grow into his position, eclipsing the 1100 yard barrier in just eight games. Coming off of a career best 236 yard, 4 rush TD performance…confidence is high. The majority of the credit goes to the confluence of the five offensive linemen (Aiden Dingbaum, Max Lodge, Cole Bailey, Logan Wright, and Drake Berry). QB Carver Boelk has also become more comfortable in his role as the season has progressed. Perhaps the biggest key for the Bears on Friday is the growth of sophomore DB's Holden Arnaman and Cale Seydel. They're about to face perhaps the steepest test of the season to date.

QUOTABLE: “Getting a postseason game at the Little Rose Bowl is huge for these kids. We hope to continue to grow and get better. Cardinal is very, very good. We look forward to playing on Friday." – Head Coach Butch Pedersen

Team Records & Rankings

Both teams are unranked.

Last Meeting

In 2013, the Bears defeated the Comets 47-0 on Senior Night in West Branch. 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.