The Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Cowboys football team opens their 2025 season on Friday night, as they welcome in a longtime rival to Clarion as they host the Belmond-Klemme Broncos in non-district action. Friday’s meeting is the 87th all-time meeting between the county rivals, with CGD winning the last meeting between the two schools by a score of 42-0 in 2022, as the Cowboys lead the all-time series 49-37, with the first meeting happening in 1902.
Second-year head coach Josh Faaborg is looking to continue building on the foundation of a young, yet talented team for the Broncos, who finished 2-7 in 2024, but were a few plays from possibly being a playoff team in Class A last season. The Broncos return a number of playmakers off last year’s squad, starting with junior quarterback Brody Heifner, who threw for 912 yards and 5 touchdowns, while rushing for another 281 yards and 3 scores. Heifner will have his top weapons from 2024 in junior Kysen Lamb and senior Braden Dougherty, as Dougherty led the Broncos with 582 yards and 5 touchdowns off 51 receptions, while Lamb had 429 yards on 34 catches and a touchdown. Running back Braeden Wright is also back, after rushing for 401 yards and 5 touchdowns as a sophomore, as the Broncos offensive line will return much of their experience from 2024.
Defensively, Belmond-Klemme returns a lot of their production in 2024, starting with a productive linebacking core. Leading tackler Maxwell Swisher is back after 60 tackles, 3.5 TFL and 2.5 sacks in 2024, as Jamie Steffenson added 44.5 tackles and 3 TFL as a freshman. Ruben Guido rounds out the returning group, after collecting 39.5 tackles and 3 TFL in 2024. The defensive backfield will have gobs of experience back, including interceptions leader Brody Heifener, who tallied 4 interceptions in 2024. Kysen Lamb and Braden Dougherty will provide high-upside in the defensive backfield as well. The defensive line unit is in search of someone to step up and become a playmaker in 2025.
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows is holding self-expectations high in 2025, as the Cowboy offense will look a little different with Paul Hansch rejoining the program as offensive coordinator. The Cowboys posses 2 capable running backs in Selvin Gonzalez and Charlie Campbell, as well as big and seemingly-physical offensive line. The improvement of the passing game will be a big X-factor into the maturation of the Cowboys squad.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM from the Clarion Football Field on Friday Night.