Friday night in Wilton, the Bears clinched the school's 17th district championship by defeating the Beavers 56-0.
Coming into this game, the West Branch coaching staff did not want to see the Bears have a cold start. The players heard that message as the Bears started scoring early and often. On the first play of the game (after the kickoff), Matt Shawver intercepted a Wilton pass and ran 30 yards into the end zone to put the Bears up 7-0 after only 16 seconds of play.
After stopping the Beavers on their next possession, the Bears marched right down the field and scored on a 4 yard touchdown run from Luke Lenoch to put West Branch up 14-0 early in the first quarter. Still in the first, Lucas Lamont completes a screen pass to Matt Shawver who takes it 46 yards down to the 2 yard line to set up another Lenoch touchdown. The Bears once again marched the length of the field on their next possession to scored on a 1 yard quarterback sneak from Lucas Lamont as time expired in the first quarter.
The second quarter was a bit more quiet from the Bears offense but their only score was a big one. Luke Lenoch zipped through the Wilton defense line and linebacking core untouched and took the ball 41 yards downfield for a West Branch touchdown. Kindon's PAT was no good and the Bears lead 34-0 going into the half.
The third quarter has arguably been where this West Branch offense shines the most. Friday night in Wilton certainly was not an exception as the Bears scored 22 points in the quarter. On the first drive of the second half, Luke Lenoch had another 40+ yard run that set up his own 2 yard touchdown run. After a successful 2 point conversion pass and catch between Lamont and Shawver, the Bears were up 42-0. Later in the quarter, the Bears are driving at the Wilton 23 yard line when Lucas Lamont decides to call his own number on an option play and he takes it into the end zone for a touchdown. Late in the third quarter after forcing a Wilton punt, Devin Kindon plows through a Wilton defender and takes the first play of the drive 49 yards for a West Branch touchdown. At the end of the third quarter, the Bears were up 56-0.
West Branch was scoreless in the fourth quarter despite a couple great drives from the Bears second team offense. On the defensive side of the ball, the Bears held Wilton scoreless and to a school record -16 total offensive yards, including -39 rushing yards.
