Location: West Branch

Date: October 11, 2024

Time: 7:00pm CDT

Game Notes

WILTON is a team with big hopes and big dreams. It is also a team that is dominated by experienced senior starters. The vast majority of the Beaver mainstays have two and even three years of varsity seasoning. Led on offense by QB Drew Keith (1012 passing yards, 15 TD/2 INT) and RB Owen Hassell (635 yards, 11 TD), Wilton has weapons everywhere. Not to be overlooked, the top three receiving targets for Keith - Jordan, Dusenberry, Jake Souhrada, and Kale McQuillen - are all seniors and all average at least three receptions per game. It all starts up front. Do NOT get it mixed, Carter Drake-Metzger (shortened to CDM going forward) and Owen Milder bolster a senior dominated line. If you look at the names above: they've all either started or played significant minutes since 2022. Milder and CDM are also big playmakers on defense, and will clog up any leaky hole an offense can find. Leave no doubt: the Beavers have big hopes and big dreams. They all end with an hour and a half trip to Cedar Falls to play in the UNI-Dome.

WEST BRANCH is a team with hopes and dreams of making the postseason. The goal: win one of its final two two games, and the Bears are IN. Week 7 will be one of the toughest of all eight games on the slate. To defeat a team like Wilton, the home squad will need to be mistake-free and iron steady. RB/LB Cooper Gates continues to play a big role in the Bear gameplan. He is a tough nut to crack for would be blockers, and a tough out for would be tacklers. C/DL Tate Frantz has been a constant presence on each play. His tenacious approach helps guide any success the Bears have found. Punter Nolan Staker was fantastic in flipping the field in Week 6. Special Teams will play a key role in the outcome of the football game.

KEEP AN EYE ON #54 CDM: Carter Drake-Metzger. At 6'3, 250 pounds he won't be difficult to spot. He will be the guy leading the way for Keith and Company on offense, and the guy in the backfield mucking things up on defense. 

ONE SHRINING MOMENT Wilton Coach Ryan Hetzler was one of the coaches on Former Bear Head Coach Butch Pedersen's staff for the 2019 game in Cedar Falls. I know from personally speaking with Coach Hetzler how much it meant to him to be considered for the honor. 

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES It will be Senior Night in West Branch. Before the game, all participating members of the 2025 class will be honored. Band, Cheerleading, and Football will be a part of the ceremony. 

Go Bears!

Team Records & Rankings

Last Meeting

In 2023, Wilton defeated West Branch 21-17 in Wilton. View more from that game.

Media & Broadcast Coverage

The BearCast will be streaming the game live on our YouTube and Mixlr channels. Play-by-play Jason Miller will be joined by special guest John Hierseman. Watch live on YouTube. The stream goes live 20 minutes before kickoff. Learn more about the BearCast.

The West Branch Times, WestBranch.Football, Cedar Rapids Gazette, and Your Prep Sports will all be on hand covering the game.