Season Recap: Eagle Grove Football

Eagle Grove entered the start of the 2021 season with the 2nd-longest losing streak in all of Iowa High School Football. The number was extended to 25 with a season-opening loss to Clarion-Goldfield-Dows, combined with a Des Moines North win, gave the Eagles the longest losing streak in the state.

That would only last 7 days, as Eagle Grove broke their long drought against the Rams of MVAOCOU on September 3rd. The win was the first since October 2017 against Ogden, and the first in Logan Willard’s tenure at Eagle Grove. Following 3 consecutive tough losses to West Central Valley, Woodward-Granger and South Central Calhoun, the Eagles entered Manson-Northwest Webster in Week 6 looking to play a competitive football game against the Cougars, and walked out with a 20-18 win.

The win put the Eagles in the playoff picture, and a clinching-showdown with county rival Belmond-Klemme. Eagle Grove dominated the matchup in a 38-0 blowout of the Broncos to seal their first playoff season since 2011. The season ended with back-to-back blowout losses to South Hamilton and Dike-New Hartford in the playoffs, but a major goal was accomplished for the Eagles program.

Junior Tate Richardson made the move to quarterback in the preseason, and threw for 171 yards and 2 touchdowns, and will hope to cut down on interceptions next season. Jake Jeske was the outstanding runner at full back, amassing 497 yards and 2 touchdowns. Roberto Calles also helped share the load at fullback, rushing for 438 yards and 2 touchdowns. Wingbacks Blake Morgan and Orlando Hernandez combined for nearly 500 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns.