CLARION — The Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Cowboys and Eagle Grove Eagles football teams returned to action on Friday night, as they renewed their century-old rivalry in the 114th Battle for Wright County. CGD entered at 3-2 and 1-1 in district play, while Eagle Grove entered at 1-4 and 0-2 in district play.
CGD put together a monstrous opening-drive which would go 17 plays, but saw them stuffed inside the Eagle Grove 10-yard line, as 3 plays later, Eagle Grove quarterback Adrian Whipple kept option play 75 yards for a touchdown to make the score 8-0 Eagle Grove. CGD’s ensuing possession would be stuffed, as disaster soon followed as the snap on the punt would sail out of the back of the endzone for a safety to make it 10-0 Eagle Grove. Following the free kick, Eagle Grove went to the air as Whipple found favorite receiver Gavin Pedersen for a 58-yard touchdown pass as Eagle Grove led CGD 16-0 in the 2nd quarter. Things began to swing back the way of the Cowboys late in the 1st half, as a Ryan Hartwig interception set up a 6-yard touchdown run by Selvin Gonzalez with under a minute to go as the Eagles led 16-8 at the halftime break.
Following a turnover on Eagle Grove’s opening drive, CGD would score on a 21-yard touchdown run by Selvin Gonzalez to bring the score to 16-14. Eagle Grove would punt on their ensuing drive, but would stuff the Cowboys on 4th down to get the football back. However, Eagle Grove would fumble 2 plays later and get the football back, as the 5-play drive was capped by a 2-yard touchdown run by Joel Meier as the Cowboys took a 20-14 lead. Following another 3-and-out for Eagle Grove, CGD put together a more substantial drive, capped by a 22-yard touchdown run by Joel Meier as the Cowboys took a 27-16 lead. Paxton Lingenfelter would intercept an Adrian Whipple pass on the ensuing drive, as Joel Meier scored from 9 yards out to stamp the Cowboys 34-16 comeback victory.
The KQWC Player of the Game for Clarion-Goldfield-Dows was senior Selvin Gonzalez, who rushed for 148 yards and 2 touchdowns on 26 carries, as Joel Meier had 22 carries for 122 yards and 3 touchdowns with 6.5 tackles and 2 TFL. Easton Beyer had a big game defensively with 3.5 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks and a forced fumble.
The KQWC Player of the Game for Eagle Grove was quarterback Adrian Whipple, who went 2-for-5 for 77 yards, a touchdown and 2 interceptions, along with a 75-yard touchdown run. Hayden Schafer had 10.5 tackles, while Arturo Reyna Salazar had 10 tackles and 2 TFL.
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows football returns to action on Friday, when they travel to Eldora to take on the (1A) #6 South Hardin Tigers in Class 1A, District 3 action at Tiger Field at 7 PM. Eagle Grove football returns to action on Friday, when they host Garner-Hayfield-Ventura in Class 1A, District 3 action at Gene Hinrichsen Field with kickoff at 7 PM.