Location: Osage High School

Date: October 26, 2018

Time: 7:00pm CDT

Game Notes

OSAGE is the number one total offense in Class 1A. Make no bones about it, the Green Devils are not ashamed to throw the football...a lot. QB Brett Bobinet tops the yardage list for 1A with 2614 yards. Most of which is sprinkled over a trio of high octane WR: Gage Belz (922 yards, 7TD), Thor Maakestad (830 yards, 12TD), and Hayden Meek (711, 7TD). Add in a 1000 yard rusher in Zack Williams, and you see just what I am talking about. They average just over 38 points, 30 passing attempts, and 290 yards passing per game. This is high octane, new school football at its best.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Pick a receiver any receiver. I will go with Meek. He is the possession guy and Bobinet's top target.

WEST BRANCH enters the postseason on the heels of its best offensive output in near 29 seasons, a 563 yard gem last Friday in Dyersville (2nd most in program history, 569 vs Regina in 1989). QB Beau Cornwell has been very efficient and stingy with his passing in 2018. He currently leads Class 1A in passing completion for anyone over 100 attempts at 68 percent. He sits at 1712 yards and 20 TD on the season, the latter tying his own record from 2017 for a season along with Caleb Walter in 2005. RB Tanner Lukavsky eclipsed the 1000 rushing mark for the season. John Hatfield leads a Bear defense ranked 4th overall in 1A.

It's the immovable object vs. the unstoppable force. Something has got to give in Osage.

QUOTABLE: "In games like this, special teams and penalties will play a major role. We cannot go up (to Osage) and play not to get beat. You have to play to win. There is a major difference. If you do the first thing, Osage is going to burn you....We are blessed to be in the playoffs (for the 26th time). Some teams have never been there." -- Head Coach Butch Pedersen

Team Records & Rankings

Osage finished the season 7-2 and ranked #10 in the IAHSAA Class 1A RPI rankings. West Branch finished at 8-1 and in the #5 spot.

Last Meeting

This will be the first matchup between the two schools.

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.