There are a few games that come to mind. On August 26, 2011, the history book was once against opened and penned. The score: West Branch 21, West Liberty 20. The story: Well...this could take a while. West Branch head coach Butch Pedersen will tell you that when WB and WL play a football game, you may as well throw out everything you know about the two teams. Why? Previous history is not one of the two teams on the field. The Bears take an early 6-0 lead after stopping the Comets on the opening possession. Then, after a fumble recovery on the ensuing WL possession, WB takes over on offense just 51 yards away from opening the game up. But, when the Bears and Comets play, nothing goes as you would hope and plan. WB completes a pass for a would be first down, but it is fumbled by the receiver, and the Comets recover. They, the Comets, then drive 61 yards and, after being halted on the first three downs, send in a kicker who successfully makes a 40 yard field goal with about 15 yards to spare. Then after a Brandon Young 50 yard punt was downed at the WL 7 yard line, a real Comet showed up at the Little Rose Bowl. Its name? Nick Boehme...traveling 93 yards around left end to give WL a 10-6 lead. Fast forward to the 4th quarter, the Comets' Erik McKillip scampers 13 yards with 2:25 remaining to cap a 79 yard drive, giving WL a 20-13 lead. Seemingly all hope was beginning to drive away. Now let's rewind a bit...to October 2010...or September 2006...or October 2003...or November 1992...or October 1991...or about 59 other times when the issue was in doubt. October 2010: After falling behind 21-0, the Bears score 28 unanswered points in Stanwood to complete the biggest comeback victory margin in the Butch Pedersen era. September 2006: Caleb Walter's 3 yard TD run with less than 2:00 remaining helps cap a 73 yard, 5:00 drive, and lift West Branch to a 15-13 win @ Montezuma. October 2003: After losing to NE-Gooselake just five days earlier, the Bears travel back to NE-G for a first round playoff game...winning 14-2. November 1992: OT Thriller...Ryan Gordon's 3 yard plunge in overtime leads WB to a dramatic 12-6 semifinal victory against powerful Aplington-Parkersburg. October 1991: 93 yards from the goal, and trailing by one point with 6:30 remaining on the clock, the Bears take 15 plays to complete the drive and beat Columbus Junction in CJ in the state quarterfinals. Fast forward back to August 2011. After a small kickoff return, the Bears had to cover 90 yards in less than 4:00. Not inconceivable by any means. But, considering how well the Comets had played at the line of scrimmage for the previous 44:00, the task seemed quite overwhelming. Then it happened.....13 yards doesn't seem like that big of a deal. Considering you are still 69 yards away after you travel the 13 yards. But, when you think of breaking three tackles to get the 13 yards, it makes it a bit more interesting. Oh, and that whole it was on 4th down and 9 thing. Then a pass to Sid Thompson. A rush by Cade Jones. A pass to Bo Bower. and then another pass to Bower. For 36 yards...and a WB touchdown. 36 seconds left in the game. 20-19 West Liberty. To be or not to be, is that that question? To be safe, or go for it. Well, given the Bears had botched an extra point after their first touchdown. And, given it was the first game of the season. I think 'to be' was the only option. Pedersen agreed. To make the unfolding drama more drama-tic, West Branch called two timeouts before attempting the possible game winning two-point conversion. The play? Well...do you seriously think I am going to give you the name of the play on a public website? Not a chance. Let's just call it the "hand the ball to your 205 pound tailback, who will follow a 250 pound all-district right tackle, a 210 pound all-state right guard, a 210 pound all-state fullback/tight end, and a 210 pound all-district fullback into the endzone" play. It worked. Jones barreled his way to the goal-line and the line judge nearest the play lifted his arms straight up - signaling the overwhelming was now the obvious: West Branch had just completed another one of those history reliving drives in a big game. Upon completing the mandated team handshake line after the game, Coach Pedersen spoke to his team. "You guys just beat a helluva team....do you know what that makes you? A helluva football team." Very concise. Very simple. Very poignant. Very true? Well, we will not have to wait long to find that out. The Bears travel to Lisbon this week for a clash of top 5 ranked teams (WB: ranked 3rd by the AP in 1A, Lisbon is 4th in A). The memory of the victory last Friday will soon fade away from recent thought with every (hopefully) Bear victory this season. But, you cannot win every game unless you win the first one. A few games come to mind, which I have already outlined. But this is the only game that comes to mind that was played at the Little Rose Bowl. A place where only 3 teams have beaten West Branch in the last 11 seasons. A place where the Bears have only lost 10 games since 1989 (105-10, 91.3 percent). It is a place that is revered all over Eastern Iowa. Where reporters love to cover a game. Where visitors marvel at the 'bowl' like atmosphere. A place where memories may fade, but championships are made. And THAT is a Bear Fact.