EAGLE GROVE, Ia. — The Eagle Grove Eagles football team opens their 2026 season on Friday night, as they host the Lake Mills Bulldogs for a non-district contest at Gene Hinrichsen Field. Eagle Grove won the 2025 meeting between the two programs by a score of 22-12, as Lake Mills leads the all-time series 2-1, dating back to 2014.
Lake Mills enters the 2026 season after an 0-8 campaign in 2025 and a lot of the key pieces off that team graduating. Senior quarterback Asher Stensrud returns after throwing for 430 yards and a touchdown last season, but will look to lower the interception total after 14 in 2025. Sophomore Mason Helgeson looks to take over the running back role in 2026, while Carter Ham and Gavin Levorson are the two to watch in the receiving room. Senior Kaiden Machin and junior Leif Rogne will lead a very young Bulldogs offensive line.
Defensively, the Bulldogs front seven will shoulder much of the load, with linebackers Elijah Stene, Lane Sprecher and Berkley Dean shouldering much of the load. The defensive backfield will be greener, with sophomore Mason Helgeson leading the unit after 26.5 tackles in 2025, while the defensive line has some key returners back in senior Calvin Rognes and junior Leif Rogne.
Eagle Grove will look to start 1-0 for the 2nd year in a row, as the Eagles offense looks to get the ground attack going early, as well as establish rhythm in the passing game between quarterback Adrian Whipple and receiver Gavin Pedersen. The Eagles defense is a little undersized, but using speed and quickness to makeup for lack of size can help the Eagles in many areas.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM on Friday Night from Gene Hinrichsen Field.