Location: Williamsburg

Date: August 25, 2023

Time: 7:30pm CDT

Game Notes

WILLIAMSBURG may be listening to some music by rock band The Outfield before kickoff. They have one mission: “Winning It All.” Graduation may have hit the Raiders at a few positions. Williamsburg does have one of Iowa's top 5 individual players (by ranking) in Derek Weisskopf. The 6'3", 220 pound Iowa Hawkeye commit is a very versatile player (he led Williamsburg in receptions, receiving yards, receiving TDs, interceptions, and punting average in 2022), Not a one-trick pony, he will get help on the back side of the defense from Rayce Heitman (leading tackler in 2022). Bryan Riedel and Trenton Davies, along with Simeon Armbrecht, will lead the way up front for the 2022 Class 2A runners up. Head Coach Curt Ritchie (entering his 23rd season at Williamsburg) always finds a way to get the best out of his teams.

WEST BRANCH will be a team looking for an answer to a question that will be on everyone's mind: “How will the Bears fare without Coach Butch Pedersen?” Well. What you do is put on the pads, helmet, and cleats. Strap ‘em on tight and play Smashmouth football. The Bears will rely on that physicality all year. When you return 6 offensive linemen with significant starting experience, that’s a great place to start. RBs Cooper Gates and Zach Capper should have ample opportunity to get north-south. It may be the defense who the Bears hang their hat upon. All-State DL Logan Wright and All-District LB Reese Trepanier will spearhead the attack. Quinton Rocha and Mike Montgomery will help clog things up along the line. Look for senior captains Cale Seydel and Trenton Schutte to play big roles on both sides, also. 

KEEP AN EYE ON: #12 Weisskopf. A US Army All-American game invitee, he's all over the field. 

QUOTABLE: “Be about the man next to you; Play as a family. That's all there is to it.” - Butch Pedersen

Team Records & Rankings

Williamsburg is ranked #2 in Class 3A by the CR Gazette. West Branch is ranked #9 in Class 1A by the CR Gazette.

Last Meeting

In 2019, the Bears defeated the Raiders 39-33 in Williamsburg. 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 7:15 for the pregame where Mike Quinlan and Jarod Tylee will be calling the game live, offering in-game analysis and halftime/postgame interviews.

KCRG TV9 and the Williamsburg CSD YouTube will have live video of the game. More info.

For print media, the Cedar Rapids Gazette, the West Branch Times, YourPrepSports.com, and WestBranch.Football will be at the the game.