Articles Tagged: Butch Pedersen

The Gazette’s Iowa high school football staff and Gazette contributor Scott Unash tackles high school football questions. See how much Jeff Linder, Jeff Johnson, K.J. Pilcher and Unash can gain in 4 Downs:

Hall of fame football coach Butch Pedersen died in early April at the age of 73 after a battle with a blood cancer. His coaching staff and players still consider him to be West Branch’s head coach.

Butch Pedersen, a legendary football coach and iconic figure at West Branch High School, died Monday after a battle with cancer.

Longtime West Branch teacher and coach Butch Pedersen was recently diagnosed with blood cancer myelodysplastic syndrome. The West Branch Lions Club is conducting a bone marrow donor drive December 7 at the high school in the hopes of finding a match for Pedersen and others as part of their treatment.

West Branch’s football team scored 14 points in a span of just under three minutes in the fourth quarter to rally past MFL MarMac, 27-24, in a Class 1A state playoff football quarterfinal, thrilling ailing Bears head coach Butch Pedersen

Butch Pedersen has led his West Branch football team to a 9-0 record and Class 1A’s playoff Round of 16. Lance Pedersen has led Mount Vernon to a 9-0 record and Class 3A’s playoff Round of 16. It’s the first time father and son finished the regular season unbeaten in their established head coaching careers. But the unprecedented success has come as Butch battles cancer.

The Gazette Iowa high school sports staff answers questions about the first round of the playoffs for small schools, the RPI, Coach of the Year candidates and cool lids.