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West Branch will not gain Lions players
by Gregory Norfleet · Sports · May 28, 2025
To help preserve the school’s “identity,” Lone Tree’s Board of Education decided against sending football players to West Branch in the fall.
Superintendent Tyler Hotz said the board reached a consensus on May 21 to continue offering varsity football rather than merge the Lions with the Bears for the next two years.
“Ulitmately, they decided to have our own program,” Hotz said. “We plan to move forward with Lone Tree football.”
He said the board weighed the pros and cons, but the deciding factor was “not losing our identity.”
“They were very appreciative of everything West Branch has to offer, and the quality of their programs is top-notch. We appreciate their consideration,” Hotz said. “But we want to have our own program.”
Lone Tree lost its head coach and asked its administration to look at merging the football program with one of the surrounding school districts. West Branch does not touch Lone Tree’s borders, but it is the closest district that does not share a boundary.
West Branch administrators agreed to accept the Lone Tree players since the Iowa High School Athletic Association recently moved the Bears up to Class 2A. By combining enrollments of the two schools per IHSAA rules, West Branch would still remain in 2A for the next two years.
Bears Head Coach Matt Hughes said he understands Lone Tree’s decision.
“It’s a big ask, a big change,” he said. “Ultimately, I’m good with their decision. I know we have a lot of great ingredients in West Branch and I’m excited about the coming season. ... Everything happens for a reason.”
West Branch junior quarterback Nolan Staker called it “disappointing” that the Lions would not join the Bears this year.
However, he’s glad that Lone Tree will still offer football for its athletes.
“As long as they’re getting to play football, that’s good,” Staker said. “I was hoping we would get some of their guys, but driving (so far) for practice may mess with them.”
He understands the point about an “identity.”
“If they come here, they’re not the Lions, they’re the Bears. I get that,” Staker said. “I was looking forward to it and meeting new guys, but it’s OK with me.”
Lone Tree did not seek out a merger because of a struggling football program. While the Lions went 2-6 last season, Lone Tree had .500 seasons or better for 13 of the last 17 years, according to GoBound.com.
Hotz said student interest appears to have waned in the 8-man program. As of now, only 12 to 17 players appear to want to play when the sport resumes in August.
According to GoBound, the 10 schools at the bottom of the 2024 power index in 8-player average 19 to 20 players on their roster. The 10 at the top of the index average 34 to 35 players.
“We know that, sometimes, when it comes to sports numbers, it ebbs and flows,” the superintendent said. “It’s tough having those conversations. We want kids actively participating.”
Hotz called West Branch Superintendent Marty Jimmerson, Activities Director Jake Stenberg, football coaches, and others “top-quality people” for working with the Lone Tree staff on this issue.
“We appreciate their openness and transparency. They are a great group of people,” he said. “The West Branch community is really good to work with, and so was the (school) board. They bent over backward for us.”
If Lone Tree agreed to send its players to West Branch, the two schools’ enrollments would have made it the largest Class 2A school. Without the Lions, the Bears will remain the second-smallest.
Hughes said that still works for him.
“Whether you’re in 2A, 1A, or 5A, there’s still only 11 guys on the field at the same time,” he said. “We will prepare every week in the same way. We will put forth our best effort. It doesn’t matter who is our opponent.”
Staker agreed.
“Our season will be great as long as we put in the off-season,” he said.
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