BELOIT — West Branch began their season in a dominant fashion, defeating Southeast 48-6. The team started things off with a seven-yard touchdown run by Eric Bates. Bates finished the night with 78 yards on the ground and two scores. Bates wasn’t the only Warrior on the warpath. Quarterback Mike Smith had 253 yards through the air, with two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions. Receiver Chad Butcher grabbed 4 balls and finished with 139 yards and a touchdown.

Southeast scored quickly in the second quarter to tie the game on an Eric Fleming ran the ball in for a 5-yard score, but the stalemate didn’t last long.

Fleming finished with 51 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Anthony Pennington added 118 yards through the air without a touchdown or interception. Doug Frances caught five balls for 46 yards, leading the team.

West Branch scored 21 points in third quarter and added 14 in the fourth to close out the game.