MANLY, Ia. — The Eagle Grove Eagles football team returns to the gridiron on Friday Night, as they make the drive into Cerro Gordo County to take on the Central Springs Panthers in Class 1A, District 3 action at Central Springs High School. Eagle Grove enters with a record of 2-2, while Central Springs enters at 1-3. The all-time series between the 2 programs is tied at 2-2, with the first meeting back in 1933, as Central Springs won the 2025 meeting 36-28.
Central Springs enters Friday at 1-3 with a season-opening loss to Newman Catholic, before routing Lake Mills in week 2, followed by a tough 7-6 loss to Nashua-Plainfield, as their district opener saw them fall to Clarion-Goldfield-Dows 48-25. The Panthers are led by senior quarterback Eddie Pruin, who’s thrown for 392 yards, 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, but has rushed for 2 scores so far. Pruin’s favorite targets have been tailback Lincoln Levan and senior Cohen Meyer, as Meyer has 8 receptions. Levan leads the team in receiving with 173 yards, as well as in rushing with 359 yards and 4 touchdowns. Truman Hogan and Lane Knudson have added a combined 3 touchdowns. The Panthers do have an offensive that’s gotten lots of work with seniors Wilton Hogen and Jacob Roegner, as well as junior Zachary Ward.
Defensively, the Panthers linebacking core has put up big numbers through the first 4 weeks, as senior Winton Hogen has 38 tackles, 9.5 TFL and 4.5 sacks, with Lincoln Levan adding 29.5 tackles, 4 TFL and 2 sacks, while Colton Levan has added 9.5 tackles. The defensive line has seen a lot of work as well, with junior Zachary Ward leading the unit with 14.5 tackles, 4.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks, while Jakob Roegner has 15.5 tackles, a TFL and a fumble return for a touchdown. The defensive backfield has not done much, as the Panthers have not recorded a pick, but Truman Hogan has been a workhorse with 24.5 tackles.
Eagle Grove comes into Friday looking to cement themselves in position for a playoff berth, after a tough 42-0 loss at the hands of (1A) #2 South Hardin. Expect the Eagles to do their best to get the ground game churning, while also creating opportunities for X-factor Gavin Pedersen. The Eagle Grove defense will also look to force Central Springs to throw the ball in order to create turnovers.
Kickoff is set for 7 PM on Friday Night at Central Springs High School.