Location: Little Rose Bowl

Date: September 15, 2023

Time: 7:00pm CDT

Game Notes

CASCADE is hoping a change will do them good. Every team is 0-0 as it pertains to district and postseason dreams. IF the Cougars are going to make some noise, they will do so on the strong arm of QB Will Hosch (43/99, 434 yards). The completion and attempt totals are both top 9 in Class 1A. Some of the attempts were a product scoreboard management…but Cascade is going to air it out (63 percent of their plays have been passing). Nathan Schockemoehl is the top target. Defensively, the Cougars play a physical brand of football – wanting to punish a team at the line of scrimmage. A win on Friday would go a long way in building confidence. They are short on numbers (26 players from grades 9-12), but tougher than nails. Don't let the roster predicament fool you. Cascade is going to bring it.

WEST BRANCH is fresh off a dramatic road victory against a ranked opponent. Excitement levels are above the median entering week 4. For the momentum to remain, the Bears will need to stick with the plan. West Branch is a run-first team (111 out of 167 plays); five players have at least 15 carries. The run can set up the passing game. For Bear sophomore QB Brennen Dale - completing 15 of his 25 attempts for 144 yards in week 3 - that is truer that true. Dalee also added two scores on the ground. DT Logan Wright scored his first touchdown, a 39 yard go-ahead interception return. WR Joe Hamann hauled in 6 passes for 101 yards, and for the second time in as many weeks. Placekicker Reese Gingerich booted his first varsity FG, a 35 yarder that clanked off the left upright and through…oddly, he made another 35 yard attempt on an extra-point after a Bear penalty. Keys to winning a game: All (3) units need to contribute.

KEEP AN EYE ON: #8 Schockemoehl. Leading receiving. Leading Tackler. Leading thorn in the side of the opposition. 

CATCHING UP: Hamann has all of the sudden become the big play threat. Not bad for kid who hasn't played football since junior high. He is a strong performer on the pitch for the West Branch soccer squad.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE: Military Appreciation Night festivities begin at 6:40. All active and retired military (from both schools) will be granted free admission. The Bears will wear red digital camouflage jerseys to pay tribute.

Team Records & Rankings

Cascade is 0-3 on the season and is unranked. West Branch is 1-2 and is not ranked.

Last Meeting

In 2020, the Cougars defeated the Bears 21-14 in a rainy game that took place in Solon. 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. Head to the BearCast page here on the website to learn how to watch or listen to the game.

Tune in to the BearCast at 6:40 for the pregame where Mike Quinlan and Jarod Tylee 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.