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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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West Branch High School (Ohio)
West Branch High School is a public high school in Beloit, Ohio, United States. The high school was established in 1960 It is the only high school in the West Branch Local School District. Sports teams are called the Warriors, and they compete in the Ohio High School Athletic Association as a member of the Eastern Buckeye Conference.

History

The high school was established in 1960

In June 2001, an outbreak of bacterial meningitis killed two high school students. A third student was hospitalized, but survived.

Athletics

OHSAA State Championships

Further information: Ohio High School Athletic Association
  • Football – 1994
  • Girls Basketball – 2004
  • Baseball - 2024

1994 football championship

West Branch entered the playoffs with an undefeated record of 10–0 in the 1994 season and had clinched an NBC league title. West Branch won its first game against Copley by a score of 56–12. In the state semi-final game, the Warriors matched up against perennial powerhouse Steubenville Big Red. After a 21–7 deficit in the first half, the Warriors charged back with 3 consecutive touchdowns leading them to a 31–28 victory and a berth in the state finals. The state finals paired the Warriors against Clyde. West Branch won by a score of 28–11, giving the Northeastern Buckeye Conference its only football state title and West Branch its first state title in Division 3 football.

Rivalry with Salem

West Branch's football program maintains a rivalry with Salem High School, located about 9 miles (14 km) away. The reason can be traced back to before 1971, when West Branch, without a field at the school, was forced to use Salem's field as home field. Due to this, the games played there were usually intense, and very emotional for the players involved.

The construction of Clinton Heacock Stadium in 1971 allowed West Branch to play on its own field. However, the rivalry continued to be fierce, with occasional fan fights breaking out.

In 1994, perhaps the best game of the rivalry was played at Salem. At the end of regulation, the score was tied at 21–21. However, West Branch managed to pull off a stunning 28–21 victory in overtime. This win, coupled with a perfect regular season, started a run through the playoffs which ultimately led to a state championship.

In 1996, the fighting after the game caused by fans was so intense that the rivalry was called off for two years. In 1998, the rivalry was resumed, with Salem pulling a stunning victory over the Warriors. This win was the last for them until 2005.

The most recent game in 2021 ended in a 43–42 overtime victory over the Quakers, securing a perfect 10–0 regular season for the Warriors

Salem joined West Branch in the Northeastern Buckeye Conference for the 2011–12 school year, and both schools helped create the Eastern Buckeye Conference in 2018. This both guarantees and expands the rivalry as the Quakers and Warriors will meet yearly in all sports.

References

  1. ^ "West Branch High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  2. ^ Geiger, Ellie (16 June 2016). "History". West Branch Warriors. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  3. ^ Geiger, Ellie (16 June 2016). "History". West Branch Warriors. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  4. ^ "Lethal Meningitis Strain Kills Two Teens". ABC News. Retrieved 2021-10-21.
  5. ^ "Families Question How Dead Teens Were Infected". Los Angeles Times. June 8, 2001. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  6. ^ Yappi. "Yappi Sports Football". Retrieved 2007-02-12.
  7. ^ OHSAA. "Ohio High School Athletic Association Web site". Retrieved 2006-12-31.

40°54′42″N 80°59′34″W / 40.91167°N 80.99278°W / 40.91167; -80.99278

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