Location: Little Rose Bowl

Date: October 21, 2022

Time: 7:00pm CDT

Game Notes

SOUTH HARDIN is a team that really wants to lull you to sleep…and then pounce. And it comes in a somewhat enigmatic way. The Tigers have run a total of 443 plays: 262 rush, 181 pass (59 percent to 41). However, they have passed for 1459 yards, compared to 1338 rushing yards - and all of their big scoring plays have come through the air. QB Josh Vander Wilt has just over 1300 passing yards and 12 TD. His number one target, without a doubt, is Ryan Walters (55 rec, 716 yards, 8 TD). His 55 receptions lead all of Class 1A. They are a very lethal combination, for sure. Just when you think Walters is the blanket, in comes freshman Bo Starr and his 4 receiving TD on just 13 receptions (one of which went 70 yards). Vander Wilt and Josh Feris are the dogs of the defense. SH has collected 14 turnovers (10 INT, 4 Fumble Rec), so keep hold of the rock. 

WEST BRANCH has been on a sun run so far this season. The offense is putting up points by the truckload, and the defense is stingy. West Branch is averaging 50.12 ppg (2nd in 1A), and giving up 8.25 ppg (2nd in 1A). RB Andy Henson finished the regular season with 1079 rushing yards and a Class 1A leading 24 rushing TD. His backfield mate QB Tye Hughes has passed for exactly the same amount of yards (1079) and is completing 70.9 percent of his passes (78 of 110) with 11 TD. Defensively, DL Logan Wright (13.5 TFL), DB Kinnick Boelk (3 INT, 2nd on team with 24.5 tackles), and LB Reese Trepanier have really stepped their game up as the season has worn on. 

KEEP AN EYE ON: #24 Walters. If the ball goes in the air, he will more than likely be the target. 

ANOMALISTIC: Henson and Hughes are the only RB-QB duo in all of Class 1A with 1000+ yards rushing (Henson) and passing (Hughes). Interestingly enough, they both have 1079 yards. Talk about oddity, right? 

QUOTABLE: “We are extremely pleased with the undefeated season. We hope that this journey continues; we are only looking one game at a time though. South Hardin is a dual-threat team with some weapons. A tough opponent, indeed. Hopefully, the Bear fans will be there to help us out.” - Head Coach Butch Pedersen

Go Bears!!

Team Records & Rankings

South Hardin is 3-5 on the season and is unranked. West Branch is 8-0 and is ranked #1 in the AP poll and #3 in the Des Moines Register poll.

Last Meeting

West Branch and South Hardin have never played. However, the Bears did face Eldora-New Providence in the 2003 State Semifinals. Eldora-NP and Hubbard-Radcliffe combined to form South Hardin. 

The ENP Tigers defeated the Bears, 41-7. They would go on to defeat St. Albert (Council Bluffs) 32-22 to claim the Class 1A crown.

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 Mike Quinlan and Sideline 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.