EAGLE GROVE — The Eagle Grove Eagles football team returned to action on Friday night, as they hosted the Central Springs Panthers in Class 1A, District 3 action at Gene Hinrichsen Field in Eagle Grove. Eagle Grove entered at 1-3, while Central Springs entered at 2-2.
It was a slow first quarter for both sides, until Central Springs scored on a 20-yard touchdown run by Jaxon Edwards to put the Panthers ahead 8-0 after a 2-point conversion. Following an Eagle Grove punt and excellent return, the Panthers used the short field to their advantage scoring on a 18-yard touchdown pass from Eddie Pruin to Cole Hagen to put Central Springs ahead 16-0. Eagle Grove would answer with a promising drive that was stuffed inside the Panthers 10-yard line, as Central Springs responded with a 94-yard touchdown drive capped off by a 9-yard touchdown pass from Eddie Pruin to Cohen Meyer to put the Panthers up 24-0. Eagle Grove then fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Central Springs added onto the lead with a 14-yard touchdown run by Jamison Rothmeyer to hold a 30-0 halftime advantage.
Central Springs would come out of the gates swinging in the 2nd half as Jamison Rothmeyer took the opening play of the half for a 60-yard touchdown run to put the Panthers ahead 36-0. From there, Eagle Grove began a slow climb to get back into the ball game, beginning with a pick six from Gavin Pedersen late in the 3rd quarter to make the score 36-8. Both sides would trade turnovers until Trenton Robinson began to gash the Panthers defense, scoring on a 16-yard touchdown run to bring the score to 36-16. Central Springs turned it over on downs on the ensuing possession, as Eagle Grove marched the short field again and scored on a 9-yard touchdown run from Adrian Whipple to make the score 36-22. Central Springs then fumbled away a dropped snap, and the very next play saw Adrian Whipple find Gavin Pedersen for a 31-yard touchdown pass to bring the score to 36-28. Eagle Grove had a chance to get the football back once again, but a 4th down conversion by Central Springs ended the comeback bid in a 36-28 loss.
Trenton Robinson had his best game of the season with 24 carries for 174 yards and a touchdown, while Adrian Whipple was 3-for-8 passing for 76 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 39 yards and a score. Gavin Pedersen had 2 receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown, while also recording a pick six.
Eagle Grove football returns to action on Friday, when they travel to Clarion-Goldfield-Dows in Class 1A, District 3 action for the 115th Battle for Wright County with kickoff at 7 PM on 95.7 KQWC or streaming online at kqradio.com.