Two KQ-Radio teams get together on Friday night at Hinrichsen Field in Eagle Grove as the Eagle Grove Eagles host the (1A) #10 South Hamilton Hawks for senior night in Class 1A, District 2 action. Eagle Grove enters with a 3-4 record and 2-2 in district play after a 60-8 win over Belmond-Klemme on Friday, while South Hamilton is 6-1 overall and 4-0 in district play following a 54-12 win over Manson-Northwest Webster.
The offenses will be a matchup reminiscent of a 1970’s college football game including Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, etc., with option offenses. South Hamilton’s wishbone attack is the 2nd-ranked rushing offense in Class 1A, trailing only AC/GC, with 2,374 yards. The Hawks top rusher is sophomore running back Nick Seversieke who has 538 yards and 7 touchdowns. Senior running back Landon Skartvedt is 2nd on the team with 467 yards and 5 touchdowns, averaging over 10 yards per carry. The fullback position has been a platooned position with Noah Gunderson and Blake Harris splitting time, as Gunderson has rushed for 402 yards and a team-high 11 touchdowns, while Harris has rushed for 238 yards and 5 touchdowns. Quarterback Tjerdan Johnson has thrown for 155 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for another 277 yards and 2 touchdowns.
On the other side, Eagle Grove’s rushing attack is ranked 4th in Class 1A, with 2,145 yards, and trails AC/GC, South Hamilton and Pella Christian. The Eagles rushing numbers are also balanced, with Cayden Schultz leading the team with 431 yards and 4 touchdowns. Trenton Sorenson and Drake Canavan have split time at fullback with Jake Jeske hurt, and have combined for over 600 yards and 4 touchdowns. Orlando Hernandez returned to the team in late September and has rushed for 374 yards and 6 touchdowns, while averaging 14.4 yards per carry. Quarterback Tate Richardson has thrown for nearly 300 yards and 2 touchdowns, while rushing for just over 200 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Defensively, the two teams have excelled in forcing turnovers all season long. Eagle Grove is 2nd in Class 1A in interceptions with 12, including a pair of pick sixes from Cayden Schultz, while South Hamilton is tied for 3rd in Class 1A with 11 interceptions. Cayden Schultz has 6 interceptions, tied for 1st in Class 1A with Emmetsburg’s Josh Van Heuvelen, and has two interception returns for touchdowns. Teagan Trask and Landon Gruefe are tied for the team lead for interceptions for South Hamilton with 3 a piece. The Eagle Grove and South Hamilton defensive lines have stood out as well this season, with Eagle Grove’s defensive line tallying 6.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss, while South Hamilton’s defensive line has totaled 12 sacks and 28.5 tackles for loss.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM at Hinrichsen Field at Eagle Grove Elementary School on Friday night.