The Eagle Grove Eagles football team will return to Gene Hinrichsen Field on Friday night as they host the Sioux Central Rebels in their Class 1A, District 2 opener. Eagle Grove is looking to bounce back from their 41-14 loss to Forest City in Week 3, where the Eagles had opportunity’s to keep the game a back-and-forth affair. Friday is also the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
Sioux Central into Friday night following a 33-7 loss to Lawton-Bronson in Week 3, and look to be a similar-functioning football team to Eagle Grove. Rebels quarterback Owen Mills has thrown just 15 passes, completing 6 for 59 yards, a touchdown and an interception. A bulk of the offense comes on the ground, as senior Max Adams leads the Rebels rushing game with 239 yards and 2 touchdowns on the season. The quarterback Mills and fellow senior Devyn Wilson have also rushed for over 100 total yards on the season as well. In the limited passing game, sophomore Koen Glover is the top receiver, with just 2 catches, but for 31 yards and the Rebels lone receiving touchdown.
Defensively, Max Adams has been the bell cow for the Rebels defense, accumulating 35 tackles, 18 solo tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss. Fellow linebacker Kinnick Fahrenkrog is also off to a great start with 23.5 tackles, 9 solo tackles and a tackle for loss. Outside of the linebacking core, the Rebels are looking for a step up in production on the defensive line and defensive backfield.
As district play begins, Eagle Grove’s focus will be on limiting turnovers. Eagle Grove was able to put together scoring drives in the 2nd half against Forest City by cutting down on turnovers that cost them points in the first half. Drake Canavan will look to build on his superb start, while sophomore Leelan Spencer found some running room in that Week 3 visit to Forest City. The Eagles secondary will also look to be opportunistic against the Rebels limited passing, as Eagle Grove already has 4 interceptions on the season.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM at Gene Hinrichsen Field in Eagle Grove on Friday night.