The Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Cowboys football team returns to action on Friday night, as they make the long trip into far northwestern Iowa to take on the #4 West Lyon Wildcats in Class 2A 1st Round Playoff action at the Jay Rozeboom Athletic Complex at West Lyon High School in rural Lyon County. CGD enters at 3-5 and 2-3 in the district, while West Lyon enters at 7-1 and 4-1 in District 1.
West Lyon enters Friday as the top 2-seed in Class 2A, with their only loss of the regular season a 7-0 loss at the hands of rivals and defending 2A Champions Central Lyon/George-Little Rock in Week 8. The Wildcats offense is directed by junior quarterback Bryson Childress, who’s thrown for 689 yards and 10 touchdowns, while completing 57.1% of his passes and throwing just 2 picks, also rushing for 177 yards and a touchdown as well. Childress’s favorite target has been junior receiver Carson Hoogeveen, who’s caught 24 passes for 369 yards and 3 touchdowns on the season. Sophomore Ben Meyer has been the home run threat, with 7 receptions for 177 yards and 2 touchdowns on the season. Running back Tate Hawf has also been a threat on the ground and through the air, rushing for 529 yards and 10 touchdowns, while catching 15 passes for 224 yards and 4 touchdowns on the season. Fullback Jaxan Huyser has excelled in short-yardage situations with 165 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Defensively, few teams have put together the unit West Lyon has on the defensive side of the ball in 2023. The Wildcats defense is led by junior linebacker Jaxan Huyser, who’s collected a team-high 42 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 5 sacks on the season. Fellow linebacker Mathias Knoblock and Evan Hildring have also put together solid seasons, as Hildring has tallied 33.5 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and 2 interceptions, while Knoblock has added 33 tackles and 2 tackles for loss on the season. Tate Hawf has rotated in as a coverage linebacker, and has 2 picks on the season as well. The defensive line is a salty unit as well, led by ends Ridge Kramer and Ben Meyer, who have combined for 47.5 tackles, 4 sacks and 7 tackles for loss. The secondary has also produced as well, with senior Carter Ver Meer and sophomore Jorden Meyer leading the way with 2 interceptions each, as Ver Meer leads the unit with 32 tackles and 2 tackles for loss.
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows will try and make do offensively without quarterback Carson Nesheim, who missed the season finale against Spirit Lake with an injury. Diego Gonzalez took the snaps at quarterback, and will likely be between him and junior backup Kolton Hefti as to who takes snaps at quarterback against the Lions stout defense.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM on Friday night from the Jay Rozeboom Athletic Complex.