CLARION, Ia. — The Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Cowboys football team returns to the field on Friday Night, as they host the South Hardin Tigers in the second round of the Class 1A Playoffs at Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Middle School. Clarion-Goldfield-Dows enters with a record of 8-1 and ranked #6, as South Hardin enters at 7-2 and ranked #10. The all-time meeting between the two programs is tied at 2-2, dating back to the days of Clarion and Eldora in 1916, as the Cowboys won the regular season meeting 31-21 in Clarion.
South Hardin enters Friday after a hard-fought road playoff win over Ridge View 28-14. The Tigers do boast wins over West Marshall, Iowa Falls-Alden, Hudson, Eagle Grove, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura and Central Springs as well. The Tigers are led by senior quarterback Braden Weig, who’s completing 60% of his passes for 2,289 yards and 25 touchdowns, while rushing for another 65 yards and 2 scores. Welch’s favorite target has been senior receiver Casey Williamson, who’s caught 44 passes for 681 yards and 8 touchdowns. The Tigers receiving room is deep, as Josh Spindler and Grant Meister have 22 and 27 catches each, with Spinder tallying 422 yards and 6 touchdowns, as Meister has 372 yards and 2 touchdowns, while senior Colby Zollar has 349 yards and 4 scores, while Aspen Briggs has 309 yards and 3 scores. Junior Kam Adams was banged up much of the regular season, but is now healthy and coming off a 194-yard performance against Ridge View.
Defensively, the Tigers are led by a young, yet productive linebacking core led by sophomore Cash Guiles, who has a team-high 68 tackles, 8.5 TFL and a sack, while Grant Meister has 27.5 tackles and a pick six. The South Hardin secondary has been a huge strength in 2026, as junior cornerbacks Josh Spindler and Aspen Briggs each have 3 interceptions, with Spindler adding 20 tackles and 3 TFL with Briggs adding 16.5 tackles. Up front, South Hardin has a talented defensive line, as Manning Pfantz leads the unit with 33.5 tackles, 4.5 TFL and 2 sacks, while Logan Kolbe has 25.5 tackles, 11 TFL and 6 sacks.
LISTEN: South Hardin coach Nick Eller previews Clarion-Goldfield-Dows
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows football will look to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2011 with a victory, as CGD brings in the #2 rushing offense in Class 1A into the contest. A big challenge will be adjusting to the changes South Hardin makes in the second-meeting during the season of these two foes.
LISTEN: Clarion-Goldfield-Dows coach Caleb Vogel previews South Hardin
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM on Friday Night from Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Middle School, and can be heard on AM 1570/FM 99.1 KZWC, online at kqradio.com and on the KZWC Streaming App.