The Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Cowboys football team hits the road for their regular season finale as they travel to Ida Grove to take on the 5th-ranked Falcons of OABCIG in Class 2A, District 2 action. The Cowboys enter with a 5-2 record and 2-2 in district play, while the Falcons enter with a 6-1 record and 3-1 in district play.
The Cowboys will need a win AND an Estherville-Lincoln Central loss to Pocahontas Area to move them to the 3-seed out of District 2 for the Class 2A playoffs. OABCIG’s spread offense has consistently been one of the top unit’s in the state, regardless of class. Currently, Beckett DeJean is the signal caller for the Falcons, as the younger brother of Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean, has thrown for nearly 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns, while rushing for nearly 500 yards and 7 touchdowns. DeJean’s favorite target has been senior Gabe Winterrowd, who’s caught 31 balls for 521 yards and 6 touchdowns. Fellow seniors Josh Peters and Treyten Kolar have nearly 400 yards receiving respectively and combined for 8 touchdowns. On the ground, junior Kelton Ladwig has been the workhorse for the Falcons, rushing for 395 yards and 7 touchdowns. Sophomore Andrew Parks has also contributed 4 rushing touchdowns.
Defensively, the linebackers and secondary have been the strongest part of the OABCIG defense. Linebacker Carter Hoefling leads the Falcons in tackles with 42, while also adding 3 tackles for loss and 1 sack. Fellow linebackers Karson Quirk and Bodie Hansen have tallied 26.5 tackles and 25.5 tackles, with 8 tackles for loss and 2 sacks combined. DeJean anchors a strong secondary, as he has picked off 2 passes on the season. Gabe Winterrowd has the team-lead in interceptions with 3, while Treyten Kolar has 2 interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
Following last week’s 56-21 loss to #4 Spirit Lake, the Cowboys will need to re-establish control of the line of scrimmage if they want the chance to upset the 5th-ranked Falcons in Ida Grove.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM at OABCIG High School in Ida Grove on Friday Night.