Clarion-Goldfield-Dows entered the 2021 season with high expectations with the rebuilding of their program over the past few seasons. The explosive potential of the offense appeared to set up the Cowboys with an exciting brand of football in 2021.
However, the Cowboys were paired in what turned out to be, one of the toughest districts in the State of Iowa regardless of class, with every team in the district making at least one appearance in the Radio Iowa Class 2A Top 10 poll. Clarion-Goldfield-Dows ran out to their first 3-0 start since the 2016 season with wins over Eagle Grove, Belmond-Klemme and Forest City, before entering district play.
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows held their own against the top-tier competition of Class 2A, District 2, but the offensive firepower of teams such as Estherville-Lincoln Central, Southeast Valley and OABCIG proved to be too much for the Cowboys to go punch for punch for. The Cowboys finished the regular season 3-5, with all 5 losses in district play, but finished the season on a high-note as they took down the Blue Demons of Albia in a 9th game, 47-13.
Preston Gardner emerged as the starting quarterback for the Cowboys, and with a season where he accounted for nearly 2,000 yards of total offense and 22 touchdowns, the junior has set himself up for a phenomenal senior season. Running backs Nevan Foss and Garrett Seaba accounted for 725 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, while receivers Jaxon Carpenter and Coady Olson amassed nearly 1,000 receiving yards combined and 13 touchdowns.