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West Branch didn’t just make sure its season continued on Friday night the Bears earned another opportunity to play at home.

And they did it in dramatic fashion.

Keaton Gates scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 5-yard touchdown run with 44 seconds remaining as West Branch survived for a 34-33 win over Bellevue in a Class 2A, District 5 thriller at the Little Rose Bowl in West Branch.

Gates rushed for 245 yards and three touchdowns and capped the game-winning drive in the final minute as West Branch improved to 4-4 and 3-2 in District 5 play.

The win secured a home game for West Branch in the opening round of the 2A playoffs next Friday against an opponent that will be announced on Saturday morning.

Bellevue dropped to 3-5 and 2-3 in District 5 play.

West Branch led 20-6 at the half thanks to touchdown runs of 27 and 82 yards by Gates.

Dillan Schenkel threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Gabe Depoorter with 14 seconds remaining in the first half to give the Bears a 14-point lead at the half.

Bellevue answered with a pair of touchdowns to take a 21-20 lead setting up a wild fourth quarter.

West Branch regained the lead at 28-21 on a 13-yard touchdown pass from freshman Teddy Bucknell to freshman Thomas Pedersen with 10:29 remaining.

Bellevue again fought back, taking a 33-28 lead on a touchdown with 3:02 remaining.

West Branch put together the game-winning drive behind the running of Gates.

The senior had seven carries for 60 yards on the Bears’ game-winning, 8-play, 72-yard touchdown drive that took 2:15 off the clock.

Bellevue had one final opportunity to win the game but the Comets’ 42-yard field goal as time expired was wide left.

Bucknell completed 6-of-9 passes for 49 yards and a touchdown and Pedersen caught three passes for 30 yards and a touchdown.

Brooks Seydel had 8.5 tackles and a pair of interceptions for West Branch and sophomore linebacker Motley Johnston each had 8.5 tackles.

Sawyer Jeffries had seven tackles for the Bears.

Bellevue          0   6  15  12  –  33

West Branch 7  13  0   14  –  34

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