Friday, 11/08/24 - 7:00 PM Steve Upton Field at Dickinson Stadium Radio (SJ): News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM Web (SJ): St. Joseph Bears Sports Network Video stream NFHS Network
St. Joseph Bears 7-1 (2-1 SMAC West)	All Time Series Zeeland West leads 2-1 Last Game: 2022: ZW 36, SJ 18	Portage Central Mustangs 6-2 (3-0 SMAC West)
Andrew Pratley 6th season, 45-18	Head Coaches Seasons	John Shillito 20th season (181-46)

(stjoefootball.com) - St. Joe will host Zeeland West for the District Champioonship

MEDIA

The Bears will face Zeeland West in the playoffs for the fourth time and the second time here at Dickinson Stadium.  Zeeland West is 2-1 in playoff meetings against the Bears with the Dux picking up the 36-18 win in the most recent game in 2022.  The Bears only victory in the series came in 2021 at Zeeland Stadium 29-26.   Both team enter tonight’s matchup with identical 9-1 records and both advanced to tonight’s district championship game by defeating their archrivals last week.   

Unlike last season where the Bears blew out the Lancers in the regular season only to be upset in the playoffs, the Bears ended the chances of that by taking a 20-0 lead into halftime on the way to a 41-21 win over the Lancers in the playoff opener last week.  St. Joe quarterback Davis Crossman threw for four touchdown passes, two of them to Blayke Sicurello, including an 85-yard run and catch in the 2nd quarter that set a new school record.  Dylan Chapman who tied a school record of 6 touchdowns in the regular season win against the Lancers had one touchdown run.  The Bears defense held the Lancers to -9 yards rushing got 6 tackles from Jones Rapette, who had 4 tackles for loss, Nate Schmitt also had 9 tackles.  The Bears also sacked Lancers quarterback Landon Hall four times.  

Zeeland West converted three defensive stops into touchdowns as the Dux went on to defeat their next-door neighbor Zeeland East 32-6 at the shared Zeeland Stadium last week.   Isaac VanderZwaag had a pair of rushing touchdowns and a touchdown reception in the first half.  VanderZwaag had 8 carries for 76 yards, as well as 2 receptions for 52 yards.  Brandon Holman added a 13-yard touchdown run for West.   Dux quarterback Trey Sloothaak was 3 for 3 for 69 yards.

Midwest Family Radio Sports is once again the home of St. Joseph Bears football, with News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM now serving as the flagship for St. Joe football in their 26th straight season. Midwest Family Radio Sports provides weekly coverage of St. Joseph and Lakeshore football contests. The broadcast is also available worldwide at www.wsjm.com. In addition, St. Joseph fans can now also listen on the St. Joseph Bears Sports Network at www.sjbearssports.com The newspaper recap will be in the Herald Palladium and at www.heraldpalladium.com. Video of all home contests and select road games are available for a subscription at the NFHS Network.