Prior to the season officially kicking off on August 26th against West Liberty, the West Branch football team will once again travel to Mount Vernon for a pre-season scrimmage with the Mustangs. Held on the campus of Cornell College, the two teams will play in a controled, no-contact scrimmage on the Rams' all-weather turf field.
The evening of August 19th will begin with a scrimmage between the JV teams starting at 5:30pm. Once finished, the Varsity teams will take the field for their scrimmage, likely around 6:30pm.
In the past, the Bears held their pre-season scrimmage against themselves following Meet the Teams Night at the Little Rose Bowl. Last year, that changed and the team decided to play against the Mustangs.
"I think this is a tremendous opportunity that we could not pass on," states West Branch head coach Butch Pedersen, speaking of the scrimmage. "The quarterbacks will wear a vest and be non-contact. The running backs will only be able to be hit above the waist, and will not be driven to the ground on contact."
The scrimmage gives the Varsity and JV teams an opportunity to see how they're shaping up heading into week one, and to play against an opponent other than themselves, something they'll be doing once camp begins August 2nd.
The Mustangs are coached by Lance Pedersen, the oldest son of Butch and his wife, Jenny, and 1990 graduate at West Branch. In 2015, Lance's second season at Mt. Vernon, the team finished with a regular season record of 7-2 and lost in the state championship game, returning to the postseason for just the third time since 2006.
Check out an album of photos from last season's scrimmage by clicking here.
The night before the scrimmage on Thursday, August 18th, the Little Rose Bowl will once again play host to West Branch Community Schools' Meet the Teams Night. The annual event is held to introduce the West Branch community to the Cheerleading, Cross Country, Football, Marching Band, Soccer, Swimming, and Volleyball squads. The night's festivities will begin at 6:30pm.
We look forward to seeing everyone at each of these events!
RECAP
What: Meet the Teams Night
When: Thursday, August 18th - 6:30pm
Where: The Little Rose Bowl (Oliphant Street Field)
What: Football scrimmage
When: Friday, August 19th - 5:30pm
Where: Cornell College in Mt. Vernon
