Coach Pedersen interviewed about "deep" season schedules

By Jason Miller  |   March 3, 2016, 8:29 p.m.

Saddle up your horses because there is a new trail (or two) to blaze in 2016 or 2017.

Earlier this year, the Iowa High School Athletic Association released the groupings for the next two years of football. West Branch will be facing: Durant, Maquoketa Valley, Jesup, Bellevue, Tipton, North Cedar, and Clayton Ridge. The final two teams on the schedule were revealed on February 26: West Liberty and West Burlington-Notre Dame.

The Bears have played against every team in recent years outside of Jesup, whom has never been on the other side of the ball against West Branch.

Head Coach Butch Pedersen feels this district may be as strong as any he's ever seen.

"This may be the deepest league we've seen since the EIHC disbanded in 1992." says the Hall of Fame coach. "Jesup is deep. Maq Valley is deep and return a 1400 yard rusher. Clayton Ridge is always competitive."

Pedersen feels that familiar foe Bellevue may be the sleeper team to watch.

"They (the Comets) beat our JV by 40 points last year and return most of their team. Coach Knake does a good job developing kids into good players."

He mentions that the out of district schedule was both predictable and puzzling.

"We wanted to play West Liberty. That is a long standing rivalry and a great gate for the schools." explained the 33 year head man. "But having West Burlington on the schedule confused us. Neither one of the schools listed the other. They are a 3A and we are a 1A. That's a huge enrollment differential."

West Branch is one of only a few teams in Class 1A who will play a 2A and a 3A school outside of district play.

Home field will be in favor of West Branch 5 out of 9 weeks in 2016, which Pedersen said is a "big positive for the team and the community."

As far as the Bears, the team will return 11 starting positions out of 22. The defense returns six, and the offense 5. But, the offense returns 3 of the 5 starting offensive linemen, a two year 1st team all-state running back, and a tight end. The ol' ball coach points to that as being something every team would like to build off of.

"Luke (Lenoch) is one of the best returning backs in 1A and that is a good thing to have back." states Pedersen. "Returning Barney (Jacob Barnhart), Cole (Tisinger), and Johnny (John Krall) is a strength.

They are all quality players. Cooper's (Kabela) leadership and experience is something the young players can look to also."

Football season is 5 months from its beginning, but for the Bears to be successful the work needs to start now.

"The time leading up to August 1st is a big key for the development of this team." Pedersen says. "The season needs to begin now. There is a big difference from a summer player and a winter player. Work in the weight room will take care of that."

Sixty-six players are currently pledging to play in the fall, which would be the most for one season in the history of the school.

"It's great to see that many kids interested in playing," Butch proclaims. "Usually a few kids change their mind before the season starts due to the physical demands of the sport."

Coach Pedersen encourages all who have signed up to remain committed.

"Football is a tough game played by tough people. If you stay on the team all season it will help your development for all other sports. We encourage any kid who is wavering to come and talk to us. The development as young men and women is as much a part of football as practicing and playing, if not more."