EAGLE GROVE, Ia. — The Eagle Grove Eagles and Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Cowboys football teams return to action on Friday night, as the two programs renew their rivalry in the 115th Battle for Wright County in Class 1A, District 3 action at Gene Hinrichsen Field. Eagle Grove enters at 3-2, while CGD enters at 4-1. Friday’s meeting is the 115th meeting between the two programs all-time, as Clarion leads the all-time series 62-44-8, with the first meeting between the two occurring in 1902.
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows is coming off a program-elevating win in district play as the Cowboys pulled away in the 4th quarter in a 41-21 win. The CGD backfield is chalked full of talent, led by senior quarterback JD Morrical, who’s completed 18-of-36 passes for 322 yards, 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, while rushing for 321 yards and 3 touchdowns. Colin Sesker has ascended to a leading rusher, with 352 yards and 6 touchdowns, with Reed Campbell adding 318 yards and 4 touchdowns. Charlie Campbell has been in and out of the lineup with 297 yards and 5 touchdowns on the ground, with sophomore Maxton Downing emerging as a big play threat, rushing for 214 yards and 3 touchdowns, while averaging 9.3 yards per carry. The Cowboys favorite target in the passing game has been junior Huxley Lingenfelter, who’s caught 7 balls for 143 yards and 2 touchdown. CGD’s offensive line is a big one, anchored by senior center JT Kelso and junior tackle Armando Melendez.
On the defensive side, the Cowboys will look to continue building as one of the more talented units in Class 1A. JD Morrical leads the defensive backs with 28 tackles, as Paxton Lingenfelter has 16.5 tackles and an interception, while Maxton Downing has 22.5 tackles and 2 interceptions. The Cowboys defensive line has been a by-committee type of group in 2026, as Traesyn Cope leads the unit with 13.5 tackles and a sack, while JT Kelso has added 10.5 tackles. CGD’s linebacking core has produced at a high-level, as Huxley Lingenfelter has 30.5 tackles, 6.5 TFL and 2 sacks, while Colin Sesker has 20 tackles, 1.5 TFL and an interception.
LISTEN: Clarion-Goldfield-Dows head coach Caleb Vogel previews Eagle Grove
Eagle Grove is coming off a comeback 28-27 win to Central Springs in which the Eagles rallied from trailing 27-0 at halftime to pick up their first district victory. The Eagles offense is directed by elusive quarterback Adrian Whipple, who’s thrown for nearly 289 yards and 2 touchdowns, while rushing for 339 yards and 5 scores in the Eagles flexbone look. A majority of Whipple’s targets have been to receiver Gavin Pedersen, who’s caught 5 balls for 183 yards and 2 touchdowns. Another top target has been running back Keegan Eisentrager, who’s caught 5 passes for 57 yards, while rushing for 121 more yards and a touchdown. The Eagles bread and butter has been fullback Trenton Robinson, who’s run for 292 yards and 7 touchdowns on 64 carries, while Kylar Sisson has 241 yards and 3 touchdowns on 21 carries. While an undersize unit, the Eagle Grove offensive line is an aggressive group led by the play of Arturo Reyna Salazar, Christian Schild and Dylan Terwilliger.
Defensively, the Eagles have relied on a veteran unit throughout much of the season. Eagle Grove’s linebacking core have been busy, as MIKE backer Arutro Reyna Salazar leads the team with 31.5 tackles, 7 TFL and an interception, with Keegan Eisentrager adding 24 tackles, 5.5 TFL and a sack, while Tyler Alesch has 23.5 tackles and 3 TFL. The defensive backfield has played very well, as Gavin Pedersen leads the unit with 12 tackles, and 3 interceptions, Dylan Terwilliger leads the unit in tackles with 22 and an interception, while Cam Sisson has 9 tackles and 1.5 TFL. The defensive line has helped set the table for the linebackers, although Christian Schild leads the unit with 15 tackles, 5 TFL and a sack, while Trenton Robinson has 7.5 tackles and 2.5 TFL.
LISTEN: Eagle Grove head coach Logan Willard previews Clarion-Goldfield-Dows
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM on Friday Night from Gene Hinrichsen Field, and can be heard on 95.7 KQWC or streaming online at kqradio.com.