Recap
Friday night on the bank of the Mississippi in Bellevue, the top two teams in Class 1A District 3 took the field, winner to not only stay undefeated in the district, but to gain an early leg up in the standings.
The 4-0 (2-0 district) Comets got on the board early by marching their opening drive down the field thanks to several big runs from running back Peter Kilburg, who caped off the drive with a 21 yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion was successful to put the Bears down 8-0 early.
The Comets' early score didn't seem to phase the Bears. First play of the game for the offense, Luke Lenoch broke loose for a 65 yard touchdown run to answer the Comets. The Bears' two-point conversion attempt to tie the game was unsuccessful.
Just as the Bears weren't phased, neither were the Comets. Kilburg found himself in the end zone once again, this time on a 15 yard pass and catch from quarterback Daugherty. This time, the two-point conversion attempt was no good. 14-6 Bellevue at the end of the first quarter.
Early in the second quarter, Bellevue was interested in extending their lead. And that's just what they did. Deep within the Bears' territory, Daugherty rumbled ahead on a quarterback keeper that extended the Comets' lead to 20-6, where it stayed through the rest of the half.
After a great message and study session from Coach Pedersen and his staff at halftime, the Bears came into the second half ready to get back in the game. After the team's first second half drive stalled out around midfield, the defense forced a Comet punt and the offense went to work. A long and patient drive by the Bears was rewarded with a one-yard touchdown score from Luke Lenoch to pull West Branch within 7 points of Bellevue late in the third quarter.
Bellevue's next drive finished out the third quarter and clocked half of the fourth, converting on several key third and fourth down plays. The drive was capped off with a touchdown that put the home team up 26-13 with six minutes left.
The Bears were not ready to throw in the towel just yet. An efficient aerial attack from the West Branch offense only took a minute of game time to get down to the Bellevue 20 yard line. On a big third down play, the Comet defense picked off the Brandon Rummelhart pass in the end zone to put an end to the Bears’ comeback plans.
Bellevue remains undefeated on the season and the Bears drop to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the district.
West Branch welcomes Durant to the Little Rose Bowl next Friday night for the annual Homecoming game.
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