The Eagle Grove Eagles football team opened their 2023 season with a tough Thursday night loss in the annual Wright County Rivalry, falling to Clarion-Goldfield-Dows 49-6 in a game in which the Eagles managed to outgain the Cowboys in total yardage. The Eagles now make the trip down to Gowrie on Friday, to take on Southeast Valley. The Jaguars lead the all-time series 4-1, with the last matchup a 60-0 Southeast Valley win in 2020.
Southeast Valley opened their 2023 season with a 26-8 win over Manson-Northwest Webster, a game which saw the Jaguars solidify their starting quarterback in junior Cale Vansickle, as he and senior Dalton Crouse spent all of 2022 locked in a quarterback controversy. Vansickle went 9-for-14 for 114 yards and a touchdown and interception, the one TD pass going to Andrew Miller. Vansickle also ran for 61 yards, while running back Brady Hanson led the way with 62 rushing yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Drew Temple would also find pay dirt as well as freshman Logan Jaeschke. Vansickle will have to find ways to keep his passes clean against an Eagle Grove secondary that has fooled opposing QB’s constantly over the past couple of seasons.
Defensively, the Jaguars front seven lived in the Manson backfield last Friday, tallying 6 TFL and sacks on the night. Senior linebacker Jace Hanson a sack and a half and 1.5 TFL in addition to his 4.5 tackles. The Eagle Grove offensive line will have to keep a decently-sized front four from the Jaguars out of the backfield, as Southeast Valley returns key experience with juniors Nathan Graves, Ryan Wicklein and Grant Farnham up front. Senior safety Dalton Crouse had a team-high 6 tackles in the game, while linebacker Brady Hanson totaled 5.5 tackles, as the back four of the Jaguars defense is high on talent, but low on experience.
Eagle Grove will look to find someone to help carry the load on the ground with Drake Canavan. Canavan ran for 126 yards and a touchdown against CGD, and did his best to wear down the Cowboys front seven. Sophomore Leelan Spencer is a player to watch, despite his slight 5-5, 120 lbs frame, he is lightning quick and given the opportunity could break off some big runs. Defensively the Eagles will need to stay consistent, sophomore middle linebacker Kaden Dalton was all over the place against CGD with 9 tackles.
Eagle Grove and Southeast Valley will kickoff at 7 PM on Friday night from the Southeast Valley Football Field in Gowrie.