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Player of the Game: Andy Henson

Presented by the <a href="https://hooverpresidentialfoundation.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hoover Presidential Foundation</a>.

Hoover Uncommon Play: Cash Woody

Presented by the Fulwider Insurance Agency.

Coach Pedersen

Photos from the West Branch Times.

<h3>Team</h3>Offense: 12 points, 128 total yards (24 passing, 104 rushing), 3 turnovers Defense: 6 points allowed, 99 yards allowed, 3 sacks, 3 forced turnovers, 1 TD<h3>Offense</h3>Carver Boelk: 3/6, 24 yards passing Andy Henson: 23 carries for 108 yards, 1 TD Wyatt Fiderlein: 5 carries for 13 yards Kinnick Boelk: 1 reception, 14 yards Peyton Miller: 1 reception, 10 yards<h3>Defense</h3>Cash Woody: 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT, 1 TD Drake Berry: 1 sack, 4 tackles Andy Henson: 3.5 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack Cole Bailey: 4.5 tackles, 1 TFL Logan Wright: 1 sack

The Bears opened their 2021 season with the tall task of taking on the Class A #7 and 2020 quarterfinalist Lisbon Lions and it was a battle. Despite both teams dealing with the extreme heat and having the first-game jitters, the Bears and Lions put up strong defensive efforts in a game that was decided on execution in key moments and turnovers.West Branch just had that edge in both categories and were able to outlast the Lions by a final score of 12-6.

Player of the Game: Logan Wright

Coach Pedersen Postgame

Provided by the <a href="https://westbranchtimes.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">West Branch Times</a>.

<h3>Team</h3>Offense: 6 points scored, 89 total yards (21 rush, 68 pass) Defense: 17 points allowed, 244 total yards allow (109 rush, 135 pass), 1 INT<h3>Offense</h3>Carver Boelk: 6/17 and 68 yards passing; 1 TD rushing Andy Henson: 13 attempts and 28 yards rushing Wyatt Fiderlein: 1 reception and 29 yards receiving Holden Arnaman: 2 receptions and 20 yards receiving<h3>Defense</h3>Cole Bailey: 10 tackles, 2 sacks Logan Wright: 2.5 tackles, 1 sack Brady Hunger: 5.5 tackles Peyton Miller: 1 INT, 2 tackles Wyatt Fiderlein: 4.5 tackles<h3>Special Teams</h3>Wyatt Fiderlein: 0/1 PAT

For the first time in 372 days the West Branch Bears played a regular season game at their home field, the Little Rose Bowl. And it was against powerhouse Class 1A opponent, the Waterloo Columbus Catholic Sailors.The Bears came into the game at 1-0 after defeating Class A #4 Lisbon in week 1, while the Sailors, ranked #3 at the time, were coming off an opening-week loss and looking to right their ship.A chilly and wet evening in West Branch yielded a defensive battle that ended with the Sailors ahead and the scoreboard and both teams entering week 3 at 1-1.

Player of the Game: Peyton Miller

Presented by <a href="https://hooverpresidentialfoundation.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the Hoover Foundation</a>.

Uncommon Play: Wyatt Fiderlein

Photos via the <a href="https://westbranchtimes.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">West Branch Times</a>.

<h3>Team</h3>Offense: 52 points scored, 340 total yards (93 passing, 247 rushing) Defense: 0 points and 79 yards allowed, 1 sack<h3>Offense</h3>Carver Boelk: 4/6, 93 yards, 2 TD Andy Henson: 18 carries, 206 yards, 2 TD Peyton Miller: 3 receptions for 77 yards and 2 TD; 1 carry for 5 yards and 1 TD Wyatt Fiderlein: 3 caries, 17 yards, 1 TD Carver Boelk: 3 carries, 22 yards<h3>Defense</h3>Andy Henson: 6 tackles, 2 TFL Jaxson Kaalberg: 6 tackles Holden Arnaman: 1 tackle, 1 INT Cale Seydel: 3 tackles Wyatt Fiderlein: 2.5 tackles, 1 sack Cash Woody: 3 tackles, 1 forced fumble<h3>Special Teams</h3>Wyatt Fiderlein: 7/7 PAT, 1/1 FG (34)

For the second straight year the West Branch Bears made the trek up to beautiful Delhi to take on the Maquoketa Valley Wildcats. Both teams entered the game a 1-1 on the young season, looking to get some momentum heading into District play the following week.The Bears specifically were looking to find a rhythm on offense to pair with their outstanding defense. Find a rhythm they did, putting up 45 points on offense to go along with 7 points on special teams. The Bears had everything clicking on their way to a 52-0 shutout of the Wildcats.

Player of the Game: Cole Bailey

Hoover Uncommon Play: Carver Boelk

<h3>Team</h3>Offense: 42 points, 263 yards (51 passing, 212 rushing), 12 first downs Defense: 6 points allowed, 56 yards allowed (36 passing, 20 rushing), 3 first downs allowed<h3>Passing</h3>Carver Boelk: 1/1, 22 yards Connor Rios: 1/2, 29 yards<h3>Rushing</h3>Andy Henson: 100 yards on 7 attempts, 4 TDs Carver Boelk: 50 yards on 2 attempts, 1 TD Jarret Ellyson: 20 yards on 8 attempts Peyton Miller: 19 yards on 2 attempts<h3>Receiving</h3>Trenton Schutte: 1 reception, 29 yards Peyton Miller: 1 reception, 22 yards<h3>Defense</h3>Evan Striegel: 1.5 tackles, 1 INT, 1 TD Cole Bailey: 2.5 tackles, 1.5 TFL Andy Henson: 2.5 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack Trenton Schutte: 3 tackles, 0.5 TFL Brady Hunger: 3 tackles, 0.5 TFL Max Lodge: 1.5 tackles, 1 sack Drake Berry: 1.5 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack Jaxon Kaalberg: 2.5 tackles, 1 TFL<h3>Special Teams</h3>Wyatt Fiderlein: 7/7 PATs

The Bears opened the all-important district portion of their schedule Friday night at the Little Rose Bowl against Class 1A D5 foe, Louisa-Muscatine. Coming into the game, the Bears were sitting at 2-1 looking to start district play off on the right foot. The Falcons, however, came in at 0-3 simply looking for their first win of the season.Prior to the game we honored our Veterans with an incredible pregame slate of festivities including a field lined with American flags, four skydivers dropping onto the field from high above, and much more. A huge thank you to Dave McIlrath for making tonight possible.After the starters put up 37 points in the first quarter, the Bears' Varsity backups and Fresh/Soph squad got plenty of playing time during the rest of the game. 51-6 was your final score. Check out highlights, the full game, photos, stats, and more from the game.

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Uncommon Play: Kinnick Boelk

Photos provided by the West Branch Times.

<h3>Team</h3>Offense: 297 total yards (73 passing, 224 rushing), 24 points, 1 turnover (fumble) Defense: 358 yards allowed (107 passing, 251 rushing), 21 points allowed, 1 forced turnover (fumble)<h3>Passing</h3>Carver Boelk: 5/11, 67 yards, 1 TD Andy Henson: 1/1, 6 yards<h3>Rushing</h3>Andy Henson: 31 carries, 172 yards, 2 touchdowns Carver Boelk: 8 carries, 42 yards Peyton Miller: 2 carries, 11 yards<h3>Receiving</h3>Brady Hunger: 1 reception, 28 yards Peyton Miller: 2 receptions, 26 yards Kinnick Boelk: 2 receptions, 13 yards, 1 TD<h3>Defense</h3>Kinnick Boelk: 6 tackles Wyatt Fiderlein: 5.5 tackles, 0.5 TFL Andy Henson: 4.5 tackles, 1.5 TFL Cole Bailey: 5 tackles Logan Wright: 2 tackles, 1 sack, 1.5 TFL Drake Berry: 4 tackles, 0.5 TFL<h3>Special Teams</h3>Wyatt Fiderlein: 1/1 FG (36), 3/3 PAT

Mediapolis, Iowa played host to an important Class 1A District 5 matchup between the home Bulldogs and the visiting West Branch Bears Friday night. The Bears came into the game at 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the District. Mediapolis also came in at 3-1 overall but 0-1 in the District and needed a win to keep pace.In a playoff rematch from the 2020 season, the game saw several lead changes, many tense moments, and a thrilling ending that allowed the Bears to escape with a 24-21 victory.Check out video highlights, photos, and more from the game below.

Player of the Game: Drake Berry and Defensive Line

Hoover Uncommon Play: Jaxson Kaalberg

<h3>Passing</h3>Carver Boelk: 9/14, 116 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT<h3>Rushing</h3>Andy Henson: 26 carries, 226 yards, 1 TD Carver Boelk: 6 carries, 39 yards, 1 TD, 1 fumble lost Wyatt Fiderlein: 9 carries, 22 yards<h3>Receiving</h3>Kinnick Boelk: 3 rec, 38 yards, 1 TD Peyton Miller: 4 rec, 28 yards, 1 TD Holden Arnaman: 1 rec, 34 yards Cash Woody: 1 rec, 16 yards<h3>Defense</h3>Kinnick Boelk: 5.5 tackles, 0.5 TFL Cale Seydel: 4.5 tackles, 1 TFL Holden Arnaman: 1.5 tackles, 1 INT Cash Woody: 3 tackles, 1 INT Jaxson Kaalberg: 1 sack

Butch Pedersen Field at the Little Rose Bowl played host to an important Class 1A District 5 matchup between West Branch (2-0, 4-1) and Durant (1-1, 1-4). The Bears were looking to stay tied at the top of the district and earn a playoff birth while the Wildcats were looking to keep their playoff chances alive.The Bears had the tall task of stopping one of the best running backs in the state, junior #10 Nolan DeLong. And stop him they did. Outside of a long 84 yard touchdown run, the West Branch defense held DeLong to under 50 yards rushing and force three Wildcat turnovers. On the offensive side of the ball for the Bears, QB Carver Boelk accounted for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) and Andy Henson had another monster game on the ground, putting up 226 rushing yards on 26 carries and one touchdown.Check out highlights, stats, photos, and more from the game below.

Regina High School in Iowa City played host to a pivotal Class 1A District 5 matchup between two unbeaten teams (in district play) in a pseudo District Championship game. It was West Branch vs Regina in a rivalry game where each school is separated by just eight miles.Despite the Bears scoring twice on defense and having the lead twice, the Regals controlled the line of scrimmage and defeated the Bears 26-8. Check out highlights, photos, stats, and more from the game.

Players of the Game: Kinnick Boelk, Andy Henson

Hoover Uncommon Play: Brady Hunger

Photos via <a href="https://westbranchtimes.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the West Branch Times</a>.

The Little Rose Bowl played host to a regular season finale matchup between the Bears and Beavers that had many playoff implications. The Bears were looking to win to secure a second place spot and a first-round home game next week. The Beavers, on the other hand, had to win to finish within the top four of the district and make the playoffs.On Senior Night, West Branch came out victorious with a 28-12 win and move on to the playoffs. Check out video highlights, stats, interviews, and more from the game.

Players of the Game

Hoover Uncommon Play

The Little Rose Bowl and the Bears played host to the Cardinal Comets in the first round of the 2021 IHSAA Football Playoffs and a matchup between the Comets' high-flying offense and the Bears' shutdown defense. The West Branch defense lived up to the hype by pitching a shutout through almost 45 minutes of the 48 minute game. At the same time, the West Branch offense was the offense to light up the scoreboard, putting up 35 in three quarters of play before salting the game away in the fourth.Check out highlights, stats, photos, and more from the game.

Headed into Friday night's second round playoffs matchup between West Branch and Beckman, the Bears had won all three meetings between the two squads (2018, 2019, 2020) and they were looking for the fourth to move on to the quarterfinals. Standing in there way, however, was a big, senior-dominated Blazers squad who were looking to keep their undefeated season (9-0) alive.The Blazers got out to a 17-0 lead and didn't look back, finishing the Bears' season 24-7. Check out highlights, photos, stats, and more from the game.