Week 8 Preview: Eagle Grove vs. Pocahontas Area

The Eagle Grove Eagles football team returns to action on Friday night, when they host the Pocahontas Area Indians on senior night in Class 1A, District 2 action at Gene Hinrichsen Field at Eagle Grove Elementary School. Eagle Grove enters at 0-7 and 0-4 in the district, while Pocahontas Area enters at 3-4 and 2-2 in the district.

Pocahontas Area comes in following a much-needed 12-6 win over Sioux Central to keep the Indians playoff hopes alive. Guiding the Indians offense in 2023 is senior Lucas Kopriva. Kopriva has thrown for 807 yards and 9 touchdowns, however Kopriva has thrown 15 interceptions and is completing only 42.5% of his passes. Kopriva’s favorite target has been senior receiver Blake Roberts, who’s caught 17 passes for 289 yards and 3 touchdowns, averaging 17 yards per catch. Gabe Ehn has also seen key contributions with 13 catches for 213 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Ryan Panbecker has 11 catches for 175 yards and 2 touchdowns on the year. The Indians have kept it balanced with the rushing attack, as Ryan Sommerlot leads the team with 595 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Ryan Panbecker has added 225 yards and 1 touchdown.

Defensively, the heart of the Indians unit is in the linebacker core. Ryan Sommerlot is the team’s leading tackle with 60.5 tackles on the season, while Ethan Behrens has 44.5 tackles, Gabe Ehn has 36 tackles and Carson Bunda has 34.5 tackles. Ehn has been a solid playmaker on the football, with an interception and 2 fumble recoveries on the season, while Ryan Sommerlot and Ethan Behrens also have fumble recoveries. The defensive backfield has been productive in 2023 as well, as senior Ryan Panbecker leads the unit with 3 interceptions and 40.5 tackles. Eli Stuchlik has 23.5 tackles and 2 picks of his own, while Dominic Aljets leads the unit with 52.5 tackles. The defensive line is led by Trevor Stuhrenberg with 25.5 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and 2 sacks.

Eagle Grove will once again try to establish the run, but have made a switch at quarterback with Adrian Whipple leading the reigns of the Eagles offense. Despite the lopsided loss to Emmetsburg, fullback Drake Canavan did surpass 100 yards once more in the loss, and the injury bug has not bitten the Eagles as it had in 2022.

Kickoff is slated for 7 PM at Gene Hinrichsen Field on Friday night.