1st Half
West Branch struck quickly on its opening drive, marching down the field in under three minutes before Jeremiah Thomas capped it off with a 4-yard touchdown run. Gavin Clemens added the extra point to make it 7-0.

After a defensive stop, the Warriors delivered the play of the night. Thomas took a reverse that was initially blown up, but he reversed field, bought time, and lofted a pass to quarterback Grady Hirst in the back of the end zone for a highlight-reel touchdown, extending the lead to 14-0.

The second quarter featured more of Thomas, who continued to torch the Tiger defense with a 5-yard touchdown run at the 2:53 mark, putting West Branch ahead 21-0. It looked as if that would be the halftime score, but the Warrior defense forced another quick stop, and the offense got the ball back with 1:26 remaining. That was all the time Hirst needed, finding Thomas on a deep strike for a 67-yard touchdown to send the Warriors into the break up 28-0.

Thomas completely stole the show in the first half, scoring three times and throwing for another, accounting for all four Warrior touchdowns before halftime.

2nd Half
West Branch picked up right where it left off after halftime. At the 8:12 mark of the third quarter, Jeremiah Thomas hauled in a 1-yard touchdown pass to stretch the lead to 35-0. With just 14 seconds remaining in the quarter, Thomas struck again on a 45-yard reception from Grady Hirst, making it 42-0. 

In the fourth quarter, the Warriors went to their depth, and backup quarterback Drake Stryffeler broke loose for a 21-yard rushing touchdown at the 11:10 mark to push the lead to 48-0. Unfortunately the extra point was blocked and the lead stayed at 48.

Howland finally got on the board late, scoring with 2:32 left in the game, but it was far too little, far too late as West Branch closed out the dominant 48-7 victory.

Jeremiah Thomas Performance:
Jeremiah Thomas was all over the field, recording an interception on defense, throwing a touchdown pass, and dominating the air attack with 15 receptions for 241 yards and four receiving touchdowns. His 15 receptions tied the school record set by Joey Jackson, the 241 receiving yards broke Greg Sharp's school record, and his four receiving touchdowns also tied a school record.

Statistics

• Grady Hirst: 24-30 passing, 323 yards, 4 passing touchdowns

• Jeremiah Thomas: 15 receptions, 241 yards, 4 receiving touchdowns; 1-1 passing, 10 yards, 1 passing touchdown; 11 yards rushing, 1 rushing touchdown; 1 interception on defense

• Gavin Gregory: 4 receptions, 45 yards

• Gavin Marshall: 2 receptions, 18 yards; 62 yards rushing

• Drake Stryffeler: 21-yard rushing touchdown

Defense/Offensive Line

• Made key plays throughout the game, with standout efforts from Zach Coffee, Lukas Black, Gavin Hang, Drew Gaspar, Grady Close, and many others contributing big stops. Nick Scofinsky, Chase Gee, Jude Corallo, and the rest of the line played well, opening holes for the run game and giving the quarterbacks time to make plays.