The Bears opened their 2021 season with the tall task of taking on the Class A #7 and 2020 quarterfinalist Lisbon Lions and it was a battle. Despite both teams dealing with the extreme heat and having the first-game jitters, the Bears and Lions put up strong defensive efforts in a game that was decided on execution in key moments and turnovers.

West Branch just had that edge in both categories and were able to outlast the Lions by a final score of 12-6.