The annual tradition of the West Branch Football Throwback Game will be continuing this season for its fifth edition.

The game will see players wearing purple and white uniforms, similar to those worn by Polar Bear players, West Branch High School's former mascot. More importantly, however, players who once dawned the red and black (or purple and white), will be recognized and honored to celebrate their contributions to the program.

Before the Bears began sporting red and black, they were the Polar Bears and took the field with a purple and white color scheme. However, due to war time efforts in the early '40s, West Branch Schools were no longer able to obtain purple-colored uniforms; thus, the red and black Bears were born.

The 2018 edition of the Throwback Game will be Friday, September 7th at the Little Rose Bowl against the Williamsburg Raiders, a fitting throwback to the EIHC days. Between the JV and Varsity games, members of the 1988 and '89 squads will be honored. The 1988 team was the first West Branch Football team to reach the playoffs. The following season, the '89 team was the first team to win a State Championship in West Branch Football history.

Members of each of these teams will be recognized for their contributions to the success of the football program. Football players, coaches, cheer squad, team managers, and everyone else who played a part in the two squads' successful seasons are all welcomed to attend and be recognized. Those who would like to be honored on the field between the games should meet in the northwest corner of the Little Rose Bowl around 6:30pm.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the Little Rose Bowl wearing purple and white!