The Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Cowboys football team returns to action on Friday night, as they wrap-up non-district play by hosting the Estherville-Lincoln Central Midgets on homecoming night at the Clarion Football Field. Friday’s meeting between the two programs is the 13th all-time meeting, as ELC leads the all-time series 9-3 and won the most recent meeting in 2024 by a score of 18-6.
Estherville is off to an 0-2 start to 2025, opening with a loss with border-rival Emmetsburg by a score of 27-7 and falling to fellow Lakes Conference foe Cherokee Washington by a score of 28-14. Lake Rezac leads the Midget offense at quarterback, throwing for 230 yards and 2 touchdowns, but also throwing 3 interceptions. Rezac has spread the wealth in the passing game early, as top receivers are senior Layton Yager and junior Amari Armstrong. Yager has 4 receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown, while Armstrong has 3 catches for 84 yards and a touchdown. Estherville’s top running back has been senior James Richard, who’s rushed for just over 100 yards and a touchdown through the first 2 weeks. The Midgets offensive line is anchored by a pair of giants in 6-4 senior Noah Danner and 6-5 senior Gavin Heifner.
Defensively, the Midgets linebacking core has played well to open the season, as James Richard leads the team in tackles with 14. Fellow linebacker Breidyn Coulter has tallied 9.5 tackles and 1.5 TFL, as Garrett Smith has 4 tackles and 1.5 TFL. The defensive backfield has seen a lot of action, as Amari Armstrong leads the unit with 11.5 tackles and 1 TFL, as Lake Rezac has 11 tackles and Braxton Johnson has 8 tackles and a fumble recovery. Estherville’s defensive line has high potential, filled with veterans such as Breyden Rodriguez, Noah Danner and Gavin Heifner.
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows will look to rebound from a 7-6 loss at the hands of Hampton-Dumont-CAL. The Cowboys will try to re-spark their rushing attack, which only had 125 yards after rushing for over 500 against Belmond-Klemme in Week 1.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM on Friday Night from the Clarion Football Field.