For the 2nd consecutive season, the Eagle Grove football program qualified for the Class 1A State Playoffs, albeit a short one with a 56-8 loss to a loaded Aplington-Parkersburg team. However, the appearance gave Eagle Grove back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in just over a decade, since the Eagles qualified in 2010 and 2011. Logan Willard’s rebuild of the Eagles program has seen a consistent build in the “return on investment” department, but the 2023 team enters the fold as an unknown.
Offense
Eagle Grove has been able to establish an identity the last couple of seasons as a power-run, triple-option football team rooted in the fundamentals. However, there are going to be many new faces on the offensive side of the ball for the Eagles in 2023, as sophomore Hayden Schafer takes over the reigns of the offense at quarterback for the departing Tate Richardson. Eagle Grove will have 2 new wingbacks as well in sophomore Levi Langfitt and junior Connor Christopher, while the only key returner in the backfield is senior Drake Canavan at fullback, as Canavan ended last season playing crucial time at fullback.
The passing game will need to look for new leaders to step up to keep Eagle Grove opponents off-balance and respecting the pass. Levi Langfitt is a name to watch on the outside, as well as sophomore Landon Mrla, junior Brett Ascherl and senior Brody Allen. Up front, the Eagles do return a pair of starters in junior Jesus Baez and sophomore Reece Demuth, while more inexperienced players such James Harle and Dominick Melendrez will need to step up and help lead a key offensive line group.
Defense
Eagle Grove’s defense has many pieces it will need to replace throughout the camp leading into the 2023 season. Up front, the Eagles lose explosive defensive tackle Jack Mendoza, and another key starter in defensive end Zach Pamperin. Drake Canavan will move from defensive end to linebacker, filling a hole vacated by leading tackler Korey Anderson, while Connor Christopher looks to be a leader of the linebacker room. Incoming freshman Trenton Robinson is a name to watch stepping into a linebacker role as well.
On the back end, Eagle Grove loses to defensive back Cayden Schultz, who was one of the best defensive backs in all of Class 1A last season. Fellow corner Levi Langfitt does return, and younger players such as sophomores Leelan Spencer and Landon Mrla, as well as junior Brett Ascherl will look to step up as playmakers in a green secondary.
Eagle Grove opens their 2023 season at home, when they host Wright County rivals Clarion-Goldfield-Dows on Thursday, August 24th at 7 PM.