The Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Cowboys football team returns to action on Friday night, as they make the drive east on Highway 3 to take on the Hampton-Dumont-CAL Bulldogs in non-district action at Hampton-Dumont-CAL High School. Clarion-Goldfield-Dows enters at 1-0, as Hampton-Dumont-CAL enters at 0-1 after a 22-8 loss to (2A) #7 Osage. Friday’s meeting is the 106th all-time meeting between the two programs, as Clarion leads Hampton 54-45-6 all-time, but Hampton has won the last 5 meetings, including last year’s by a score of 35-7.
Hampton-Dumont-CAL couldn’t muster enough offense against the Green Devils to put more into a legitimate upset bid against Osage, but a change in quarterback did bring the Bulldogs offense to life in the 4th quarter as sophomore Blaek Burmester replaced senior Ryder Strother and threw for 66 yards and a touchdown. Jacob Mahler is the primary tailback for the Bulldogs, but only gained 13 yards against the stout Osage defense, as junior Joseph Powers will also see carries in the backfield. Whoever plays quarterback against the Cowboys will have weapons at their disposal in tight end Brady Harr and top receiver Brody Strother, who caught 6 passes for 58 yards and a 22-yard touchdown against Osage. The Bulldogs do have some veteran leadership on the offensive line to help their cause.
Defensively, the Bulldogs did an excellent job of limiting the Green Devils to big play. Brady Harr is poised for a breakout season at defensive end, starting his junior campaign with 4 tackles and a TFL. Joining him up front us a group with a lot of potential in Maddon Evans, who led the Bulldogs with 7 tackles on Friday, and junior Briggs Gruelke. It’s a relatively green linebacking core for the Bulldogs, but do return a couple of contributors from 2024 in Jacob Mahler and Aaden Keehn, while the defensive backfield has a lot of experience back with Ryder Strother, Carter Arends and Hunter Rieken, who recorded an interception against Osage.
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows rolled up a state-best 542 yards in their Week 1 win over Belmond-Klemme. Against a foe with a talented defensive line, the Cowboys offensive line will have to get push to make sure Paul Hansch’s double-wing offense stays on or ahead of schedule. Defensively, the Cowboys need to shore up in pass coverage, but if the defensive line can bring pressure, it could make life easier for the defense.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM on Friday Night from Hampton-Dumont-CAL High School.