Football Game Preview: Sierra Grande Panthers vs. Branson/Kim Bearcats

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Previous Games

10/11/24 - Home	52-45 W
09/09/23 - Away	40-45 L
09/09/22 - Home	22-28 L
11/06/21 - Neutral	39-36 W
10/30/21 - Away	51-8 W
+ 3 more games

Sierra Grande and Branson/Kim are an even 4-4 against one another since September of 2018, but not for long. The Panthers will venture away from home to challenge the Bearcats at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Each of these teams will be fighting to keep a win streak alive as Sierra Grande comes in on five and Branson/Kim on three.

On Friday, Sierra Grande blew past Primero, posting a 45-8 victory. Give the Panthers' offense some serious credit: that high-scoring performance was actually the fewest points they've scored all season.

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Branson/Kim). They took their matchup on Friday with ease, bagging a 70-16 win over La Veta. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the team's high-flying offense, the game also marked the team's biggest victory of the season.

Sierra Grande better keep an eye on Will Doherty. He was instrumental in Branson/Kim's win, rushing for 70 yards and three TDs on only six carries, while also picking up 67 receiving yards and one score. The bulk of those receiving yards came from one huge play: a catch that gained an incredible 57 yards. Cooper Winter was another key player, throwing for 112 yards and three touchdowns while completing 85.7% of his passes.

Branson/Kim's defense made their presence known, laying out the QB four times. La Veta's QB won't forget Collin Doherty anytime soon given he sacked him twice. Branson/Kim received some extra help from Michael Archuleta, whose fumble return for a touchdown made for one of the most unforgettable moments.

Sierra Grande's win bumped their record up to 5-1. As for Branson/Kim, their victory bumped their record up to 4-1.

Sierra Grande beat Branson/Kim 52-45 when the teams last played back in October of 2024. One of the biggest obstacles trying to stand in the way of that victory was the Bearcats' Kolter Cranson, who rushed for 268 yards and five TDs while picking up 7.1 yards per carry. Now that he won't be playing on Saturday, will it be easier for the Panthers to walk away with another win? There's only one way to find out.