The Eagle Grove Eagles football team returns to action on Friday night, as they host the Central Springs Panthers in Class 1A, District 3 action at Gene Hinrichsen Field in Eagle Grove. Eagle Grove enters at 1-3, while Central Springs enters at 2-2. Friday’s game is the 3rd all-time meeting between the two programs, as Central Springs won in 2014 37-0, and Eagle Grove won in 2015 by a score of 21-12.
Central Springs enters Friday with a record of 2-2 with a 1-point win over Newman Catholic in Week 1, followed by a 36-15 win over Lake Mills, along with a 33-0 loss to Clarion-Goldfield-Dows and a 35-6 loss to Nashua-Plainfield. The Panthers offense is led by quarterback Eddie Pruin, who’s thrown for 426 yards and 3 touchdowns, but with 6 interceptions. Pruin’s favorite target has been senior Braydin Crum, who’s caught 10 passes for 172 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Lincoln Blickenderfer has 6 receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown. The Panthers backfield is led by junior Mannie Gregorie, who’s rushed for 263 yards and 2 touchdowns on 50 carries, while sophomore Jamison Rothmeyer has 148 yards and 3 touchdowns on 18 carries. The Panthers do have a veteran offensive line, led by seniors Ethan Qualey, Ryan Shimek and Evin Hagen.
On the defensive side, the Panthers front seven is the heartbeat of the unit. The linebacking core is led by senior Ethan Qualey, who has a team-high 27 tackles with 6.5 TFL and 2 sacks, as junior Wilton Hogen has 15.5 tackles, 3 TFL and 2 sacks, and senior Lincoln Blickenderfer has 21.5 tackles, 6 TFL and 2 sacks. The defensive line is led by senior Ryan Shimek, who’s amassed 17 tackles with a sack and 2 TFL, while Lincoln Levan has added 17.5 tackles, 3 TFL and a sack. The secondary has been productive, as Braydin Crum leads the unit with 24 tackles, 2 TFL, 3 forced fumbles, 3 pass breakups and 2 interceptions. Sophomore Jamison Rothmeyer and senior Jace Huebsch have also grabbed interceptions, as Rothmeyer has 18.5 tackles.
Eagle Grove will look to bounce back off a tough road loss at a top-5 South Hardin team, as the Eagles had opportunities to put more points on the board during the game. Eagle Grove will try and stay ahead of the chains offensively, while the defense will need to try an limit the ground game following a big game on the ground from South Hardin.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM on Friday Night at Gene Hinrichsen Field in Eagle Grove.