Location: Little Rose Bowl

Date: October 2, 2015

Time: 7:00pm CDT

Game Notes

One of the two teams on the field Friday night will be looking for not only a signature victory but also a season-saving victory, That would be the Durant Wildcats. If this is reading like it did last week, it should...because it is exactly what I said about the Bears' Week Five opponent, Bellevue. After winning its district opener in Week Three, the Wildcats have lost back to back district games by a combined 82-28. QB Will Bentley has stepped up at quarterback and thrown for just over 650 yards. His favorite targets are also Durant's two leading rushers: Brandon Dykes and Gavin Blake. They both are over 300 yards rushing and 200 yards receiving....West Branch scored early and often versus Bellevue last week, including a 64 yard Luke Lenoch TD run on he game's first play from scrimmage and a 75 yard punt return touchdown after the defense held the Comets down their first drive. Cooper Koenig continued his strong statistical play with 115 yards passing 7/10 and 105 yards rushing, which includes a 90 yard TD dash. WR Hunter Wargo got in the scoring column as well on a TD reception. Devin Kindon and Cale Donovan paced a strong defensive performance with 10 tackles each, and DE Jake Evans recorded 2 sacks (the 3rd consecutive game in which he has recorded at least 2 QB sacks....With a win, the Bears will all but lock up their 24th IHSAA postseason berth.

Team Records & Rankings

West Branch (5-0, 2-0 in Class 1A District 5) is ranked #3 by the CR Gazette/KGYM-KCRG and #3 by the Des Moines Register. Durant (1-4, 1-2 in Class 1A District 5) is unranked.

Last Meeting

In 2014, the Bears scored 33 unanswered points in the second half en route to a 53-13 victory at Durant. 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 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.