UGLY WINS ARE STILL PRETTY VICTORIES The past is history. The future has yet to arrive. Stick to the present. For the West Branch football team, 2012 began on a high note: a 28-7 victory over defending Class A state champion Lisbon. Not just a victory, but a bit of redemption and revenge of a dreadful performance against the Lions in 2011 (losing 18-8). COMING UP BIG In big games, big players usually come up big. The captains of the 2012 Bear squad are all big game tested and ready for battle. Let's look into that a little more. CADE JONES - a third year varsity starting running back carried the ball just 15 times and gained 211 yards. He scored three times. One of which, was a cutback visionary thing of beauty for a 79 yards. BO BOWER - another third year varsity player. He amassed 70 yards of total offense, and scored a touchdown on the ground from 14 yards out. GARETT LYNCH - are we seeing a theme yet? Yet another third year varsity starter. He helped open the seams for Jones and Bower to run through on offense. Lynch is also the leader of the defense, and tallied 13 tackles and a forced fumble. MICHAEL MADSEN - a second year starting center and defensive tackle. He co-led the team with 13 tackles, including a bone jarring sack of the Lisbon QB Logan Rickard. VICTORIES ARE ALWAYS A TEAM THING Many other players joined the fray. The St John brothers - senior Josh and sophomore Big Jon - each had 11 tackles and stymied would be ball Lion carriers all night long. Josh had two big fumble recoveries as well. The Iron Dong, aka place kicker Brandon Wasion, was a perfect 4 for 4 on extra points. He also averaged 51 yards per kickoff, which helped to limit Lisbon from getting a leg up in the field position battle. A big hats off to Jarod Tylee, who took over the offensive play calling from retired Coach Larry "Lurch? Rummells. He kept it simple, and the Bears responded in a big way: gaining a total of 273 yards rushing, which is puts West Branch in third spot in all of Class 1A in that category. How about a welcome back to former Bear standouts Caleb Walter and Tyler Bailey! The duo worked well together as quarterback and center for two seasons while wearing the black, red, and white in 2006 and 2007. Walter is in his first year as QB coach, and Bailey will be helping out the offensive and defensive lines. QUOTABLE: "It was a typical first game. We had a lot of penalties and made mistakes. But, they are correctable mistakes and we will continue to work to get better.? - Head Coach Butch Pedersen "We are happy with getting the win, but not satisfied. It is nice to beat Lisbon after last year's game against them.? - Cade Jones "I was happy with the effort, but we have to cut down on the penalties to get better each week.? - Jarod Tylee FAMILIAR FOE, FAMILIAR PLACE, FAMILIAR FACE The Bears travel to Durant in week two, for a cross-district Class 1A battle. Coming off of a 24-19 heartbreaking loss to Louisa-Muscatine, the Wildcats will look to claw its way to an upset of the top ten and heavily favored Bears squad. If you attend the game, and look at the home team sideline, you may see a face familiar to many. Casey Bouska, who was a teacher and coach in West Branch, is now the head coach and a teacher in Durant. This will be Bouska's first time coaching against the Bears. He hopes to gain one of two things: a) victory, or b) a good learning experience on which to draw from. CLOSING IT UP Victory in week one is always a good thing, and definitely helps bring to light all the hard work in the offseason. BUT, the Bears need to limit the penalties if they hope to be at the top of District 6 this year. With two-time defending state champ Reg... ...let's stop right there. Getting a victory on Friday night in Durant is the number one goal. Always keep your eyes on the goal right in front of you. Obstacles occur if you don't.