EAGLE GROVE, Ia. — A season of missed opportunity in 2025 for Eagle Grove football has the Eagles focused on making it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2022, and Logan Willard’s team has the right mix of experience and talent to make it happen.
Offense
The Eagles flexbone attack will have an added facet with a quarterback who can hurt you through the air as effectively as on the ground, with senior Adrian Whipple back after throwing for over 600 yards and 6 touchdowns, while rushing for nearly 300 yards and 7 scores. Whipple’s favorite target is one of the more underrated receivers in Class 1A in fellow senior Gavin Pedersen, who caught 15 balls for 391 yards and 5 touchdowns, averaging a staggering 26.1 yards per catch in 2025. However, the Eagles bread and butter is to pound the rock, and they have the horses to make that happen; led by fullback Trenton Robinson, who rushed for 850 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2025, while sophomores Keegan Eisentrager and Kylar Sisson are poised to take over at the wingback spots. The offensive line returns a number of key pieces, including senior Arturo Reyna Salazar and talented sophomore Christian Schild.
Defense
A veteran linebacking and defensive back group headlines the Eagle Grove defense in 2026, as the defensive backfield returns nearly all its production, including leading tackler Dylan Terwilliger, interceptions leader Gavin Pedersen, as well as Cam Sisson and Jackson Babcock. The linebacking core loses all-state backer Hayden Schafer, but brings back key pieces in Arturo Reyna Salazar and Caden Hauenstein. The defensive line has some impressive building blocks to use as a base, with the unit’s leading tackler Trenton Robinson back at defensive end, and Christian Child playing full snaps at defensive tackle.