Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

West Branch entered week three looking for a win and a breakthrough.

The Bears got both thanks to a career performance from senior quarterback Connor Rios.

Rios accounted for more than 300 yards of total offense and three touchdowns as West Branch (1-2) snapped a three-game losing streak that dated back to last season with a  49-7 win over Waterloo Columbus at the Little Rose Bowl.

“It feels great,” Rios said. “This was the type of game that we needed where we really feel good about what we are doing.”

Rios started the first two games last season as West Brach opened with losses to Williamsburg and Dike-New Hartford.

This season it was Rios that provided a spark after the Bears again opened 0-2.

Starting for injured junior Brennen Dale on Friday, Rios completed 10-of-18 passes for 242 yards and a touchdown as West Branch put up a season-high 438 total yards.

Rios also rushed for 66 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries and completed passes to seven different players against the Sailors in a breakthrough performance.

“He just took control,” West Branch coach John Nestor said. “He had command of the offense and he made plays.”

After averaging 204.5 total yards and five points per game in back-to-back losses to open the season the Bears broke through on offense in week three against Columbus (0-3).

West Branch averaged 3.8 yards per play in losses to Dike-New Hartford and Williamsburg but more than doubled that number as West Branch averaged 9.7 yards per play on Friday.

“He did great tonight,” West Branch junior running back Cooper Gates said. “Being a receiver to start the season and then stepping in today I think that’s the best game he’s ever had. He really stepped up for us.”

West Branch wasn’t the only team with an offensive breakthrough on Friday.

City High (1-2) was solid offensive during an 0-2 start averaging 21 points and 332 total yards in losses to Joliet Catholic and Liberty High.

The Little Hawks had their breakthrough on Friday putting up 526 total yards and 53 points in a 53-14 win over Ames (0-3).

Senior quarterback Bobby Bacon completed 13-of-20 passes while throwing for 226 yards and two touchdowns in the Little Cy-Hawk win for City High.

Gabe Egeland rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns and sophomore Dawson Kahl ran for 60 yards and two touchdowns as City High rolled up a season-high 269 yards on the ground.

Connor Cross caught five passes for 118 yards and Chayse Newton had five grabs for 73 yards and a touchdown in the win.

News and Notes

Early Unbeatens: The list of unbeaten teams in the Your Prep Sports area is down to two, with Regina (3-0) and Solon (3-0) the only remaining undefeated area teams.

Solon and Regina are among 69 remaining unbeaten teams in the state, a list that includes 13 undefeated teams in Class 3A and 11 unbeaten teams in Class 1A.

Defenses Put Up Points: West High and West Branch each put up season-high point totals while picking up wins on Friday.

The defenses helped add to the point totals for both teams on Friday.

West High had a defensive and special teams touchdown in a win over Muscatine and West Branch scored a defensive touchdown in a victory over Waterloo Columbus.

West High junior defensive back Adrian DeWaard returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown and junior Jackson Law returned a blocked punt 37 yards for a score.

West Branch senior defensive lineman Tate Frantz returned a fumble 32 yards for a touchdown.

Perfect Day for Wallace: West High senior quarterback Jack Wallace has had a long of big games in his four-year career.

Wallace has never had a game quite like he did on Friday.

Wallace completed all eight of his pass attempts while throwing for 218 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-20 win at Muscatine.

The Minnesota State recruit averaged 27.3 yards per pass attempt, threw two touchdown passes to Mason Woods and one to Henry Elser and also rushed for 53 yards and a touchdown on two carries.

Players of the Week

Offensive player of the week: Regina junior quarterback Kyle Tracy accounted for better than 300 yards of total offense and three touchdowns in a 31-21 win over Mediapolis.

Tracy completed 14-of-17 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown in the win.

Defensive player of the week: Solon junior linebacker Kyler Jensen had a team-high tackles including 3.5 for loss in a 55-2 win at Central DeWitt.

Jensen had five solo stops among his eight tackles as Solon limited the Sabers to 63 rushing yards and 216 total yards.

Special teams player of the week: Liberty High senior Dallas Miller had an incredible all-around game on Friday but did some of his best work on special teams.

Miller averaged 44.3 yards on four kick off returns in a 42-28 loss to Pleasant Valley.

Miller also caught five passes for 111yards and a touchdown and added four carries for 89 yards.

Helmet Stickers

Offense: West Branch junior quarterback Connor Rios completed 10-of-18 passes for 242 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 66 yards and two touchdowns in a 49-7 win over Waterloo Columbus.

Offense: Solon senior running back Eddie Johnson ran for 203 yards and two touchdowns and also had three tackles for loss including a sack on defense in a 55-2 win at Central DeWitt.

Offense: Clear Creek Amana sophomore Tay Seals had two catches for 89 yards and a touchdown and had an interception on defense in a 47-20 loss to Williamsburg.

Offense: West High senior Mason Woods had three receptions for 152 yards and two touchdowns in a 52-20 win at Muscatine.

Defense: West Branch junior Lincoln Naber had 2.5 sacks and three tackles in a 49-7 win over Waterloo Columbus.

Defense: West High junior Julian Manson had a team-high 8.5 tackles in a 52-20 win at Muscatine.

Defense: City High senior defensive end Jalyn Ford had two sacks among his six total tackles in a 53-14 win over Ames.

Defense: Regina junior Aaron Honore had 5.5 tackles and an interception in a 31-21 win over Mediapolis.

Did you enjoy this subscription free article? Help keep Your Prep Sports free by donating.