With a new season brings new goals.
New dreams.
New realities.
And...new accomplishments.
In the opening week, the Bears defeated longtime rival West Liberty 40-20. The victory stands to be an important one as the team moves forward to this week's home opener against 3A West Burlington-Notre Dame. The Falcons also won their season curtain raiser, in thrilling fashion, by defeating Mediapolis 14-12 in OT.
Now, back to the numbers.
1: Cale Donovan's varsity career rushing touchdown total. The senior captain bulldozed 5 yards into the south endzone at Memorial Field in West Liberty. "It felt good. Stepping into the endzone for the Bears is unlike any other feeling in the world." .... It also symbolizes the number of interceptions senior DT Colton Dietz has in his career. A hot potato fell into his arms last Friday; the team started falling to the ground as the big fella was bowling people over with excitement on his way to the sidelines after turning the trick....and, throw in the (1) fumble recovery by junior DE Billy Friis in his first varsity game as a starter.
2: That's the number of West Branch players who rushed for more than 100 yards in week 1. Luke Lenoch (178) and Beau Cornwell (117) carried the load for the Bears on offense. For Lenoch, in his 3rd year starting as the lead ball carrier, eclipsing the century mark is a fairly normal thing. For Cornwell, a sophomore in his first career varsity game at QB, it was a great accomplishment. It looked...well...normal for him, also. The aforementioned Donovan nearly made it 3 Bear ball carriers with 100 yards rushing, he logged 10 carries for 87 yards.
3: Touchdowns credited to the play of Cornwell. He rushed for two scores (31, 24) and completed a pass to senior WR/TE Cooper Kabela (27) for another to help put the Bears up 19-0 heading into halftime
4: Extra points for Cornwell
6: Touchdowns scored by the Bear offense on Friday. Cornwell (2), Lenoch (2), Donovan (1), and Kabela (1).
8: Tackles recorded by freshman Tanner Lukavsky in his first game as a Bear. He looked the part on special teams as well, recording a 39 yard kickoff return that helped set up a second half touchdown...also the number of freshman or sophomores that saw varsity action in this first game.
9: Billy Friis tackles on Friday. He led the defense in this category. Followed by Lukavsky and Donovan (7)
12.7: The Bear defensive points allow per game in its last 10 regular season games played.
20: The number of consecutive regular season victories the Bears have racked up. Week 8 of the 2013 season vs Eddyville-Blakesburg (18-14, L) was the last game West Branch has dropped in the pre-playoffs.
40: The average number of points the Bear offense is putting on the scoreboard in its last 10 regular season games played.
59: Yards....as in how many rushing yards Lenoch (4,362) needs to become the all-time career rushing yards leader in West Branch football history. Cade Jones (4,420) holds the current mark.
68: Losses....over 34 seasons....that is how many the Bears have accumulated in Coach Butch Pedersen's amazing career.
282: Victories in the illustrious 34 year career of Pedersen. He is top 20 in this category all-time in Iowa HS football history.
With a new week brings new goals.
New dreams.
New realities.
If you like numbers, here is where you focus should be:
1-0.
Every week.
