Brandon Young threw for 253 yards and a touchdown, and ran for another score, as the Bears chalked up a homecoming victory on September 24th. Overcoming two early turnovers, and penalties, West Branch wore down Wapello - winning 46-6. The Bears drew first blood in the opening stanza as Young hit senior Rilen Carew on a 37 yard crossing route. Carew would end the night with five receptions and a single game school record 140 receiving yards. The previous record was held by Pat Gates, who turned the trick in 1996. That was part of then Bear quarterback Aaron Vincent's single game school record 303 yards passing. Carew caught two additional passes....from Indian quarterback Jacob LaFayette. That gives him six interceptions in five games this season, which equals a single season school record he already shares with Dale Lumpa (1978). It also gives the senior all-stater 12 for his career. That is yet another school record. Cole Kelly, with 11 interceptions, had just got the ink to dry on the record from last season. Kevin Stout (1990-92) held the record for 16 years before Kelly surpassed his mark. Senior tight end Logan Murry continued his strong season by hauling in three passes for 97 yards. Most of that came on a second quarter 47 yard strike from Young. Both Carew and Murry are at or nearing 400 receiving yards on the season. The season record for receiving yards is 552, set by Pat Reid in 1987. Junior fullback Eli Elliott added two short TD plunges, and tallied 11 tackles defense to help lead a stingy Bear defense. Through five games, West Branch is allowing just 5.2 points per game. That is second in Class 1A football. Oh, by the way, the Bears' final regular season opponent, North Cedar, leads that category. The final touchdown of the evening came on a 10 yard strike to Jesse Lumpa from Conor Paulsen. After the game, Coach Pedersen talked about how this was a big victory. He also mentioned how great it was that the whole team played a role in the final outcome. It was a trademark WB victory: hard-hitting defense, big strike offense, scratch where it itches. The Bears move to 5-0, 3-0 in District 6 play. Wapello fell to 4-1, 2-1. The Indians entered the game with the top offensive unit in District 6. West Branch's defense held them below 200 total yards. That is a pretty big accomplishment considering Wapello running back Jacob Lund stampeded out 296 yards the previous week. Follow the Bears next Friday, October 1st, as they travel to Riverside to take on Highland in Class 1A District 6 play. Go Bears!