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Two-touchdown win over Jesup by FS football
Sports · September 14, 2017


West Branch’s freshman-sophomore football team beat the visiting Jesup J-Hawks 21-7 Friday at the Little Rose Bowl.


The team improved to 2-1 on the season.

“This team has turned a corner,” Coach Matt Hills said. “This was a solid Jesup team that did not quit after falling behind by 14.”

The game stood tied a zero after the first period, but West Branch struck twice in the second to take a 14-0 lead at the half. Jesup scored a touchdown in the third period to close the gap to one score, but then the Bears scored again in the final quarter to win.

The first score came when Jesup, continuing a drive that started in the first quarter, fumbled the ball. Matt Paulsen picked up the ball at the Jesup 10-yard line and scored.

“Our defense scored the first touchdown and held Jesup to five yards offense in the first half,” the coach noted. “You can’t ask for a better defensive performance. The offense got rolling and added two touchdowns for a 21-7 lead.”

The other two scores came on rushing plays by Dakota Kaalberg from 4 and 6 yards away. Cael Fiderlein kicked in three extra points.

West Branch rushed for 146 yards to Jesup’s 28. The J-Hawks threw for 104 yards, just a bit more than the Bears’ 93. West Branch had 239 total yards to Jesup’s 132.

“A strange, uncontrollable series of events ... gave Jesup their best field position at the 50-yard line in the second half. Our defense responded with a three-and-out,” Hills noted. “When you control the line of scrimmage, hold the opposing offense to 28 yards rushing, and produce 239 yards of offense (146 on the ground), winning a football game is natural.”

Passing: Trey Eagle 7-93.

Rushing: Trey Eagle 5-25; Dakota Kaalberg 17-87; Gavin Hierseman 4-20; Morgan Hartz 7-15

Receiving: Dakota Kaalberg 2-40; Gavin Hierseman 3-35; Kristian Nalan 1-3; Davin Camacho 1-15

Tackling: Cael Fiderlein 7; Dakota Kaalberg 7; Gavin Hierseman 1; Simon Palmer 1; Morgan Hartz 3; Sam March 2; Kristian Nalan 1; Jack Robertson 9; Davin Camacho 5; Dominic Culver 3; Emery Hazelwood 3; Matt Rummelhart 1; Matt Paulsen 4, 1 fumble recovery, 1 TD; Wade Holmes 1

Kick return: Cael Fiderlein 1-33. Punting: Trey Eagle 2-74. Kicker: Dakota Kaalberg 4-148. PAT: Cael Fiderlein 3-3