The Eagle Grove Eagles football team opens their 2025 season on Friday night, as they make a long trip up to the Iowa-Minnesota border to take on the Lake Mills Bulldogs in non-district action at the Lake Mills Sports Complex. Friday’s meeting will be the third all-time meeting between the 2 programs, with Lake Mills winning both meetings in 2014 (55-0) and 2015 (28-24).
After a 4-5 season and a playoff berth in 2024, 3rd-year head coach Brady Kurtz will have a serious rebuild ahead of his program in 2025, starting on offense with the quarterback spot. Junior Asher Stensrud appears to be the one to take over signal calling for the Bulldogs offense in 2025, as the running back room is under a total rebuild. Athletes to watch in the backfield include seniors Nash Delger and Zach Stene, as well as Austin Mannes. Delger was the Bulldogs leading receiver in 2024, but will be featured more as a primary running back. The offensive line does return a couple of key pieces in juniors Lane Sprecher and Calvin Rognes, as well as senior Josiah Kjeldahl.
On the flip side, there is a lot of production to replace on the defensive side of the ball as well for Lake Mills. The top returning tackler is senior linebacker Josiah Kjeldahl, who tallied 37 tackles and 3.5 TFL as a junior. Those that could join Kjeldahl in the linebacking core include juniors Chace Evans and Rylie VanderPlas and senior Austin Mannes. Nash Delger and Zach Stene headline a veteran defensive backfield, as both recorded 2 interceptions in 2024, as Delger accumulated 20.5 tackles and a TFL, while Stene had 28 tackles. The defensive line will be a total rebuild, as Calvin Rognes leads the returning unit with 10.5 tackles a year ago.
Eagle Grove showcased in their scrimmage that their defense has come a long ways with players such as Hayden Schafer and Gavin Pedersen playing very well. The Eagles offense continues to try iron out the usual issues for an option-based offense, if Adrian Whipple and the backfield can settle those down, it could be a fun season-opener for the Eagles.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM at the Lake Mills Football Complex on Friday Night.