The Eagle Grove Eagles football team returns to action on Friday Night as they open up Class 1A, District 2 play on the road by taking on the Sioux Central Rebals at Sioux Central High School just outside of Sioux Rapids. The Eagles fell to the Rebels at home by a score of 44-0 in 2023 in the first ever meeting between the two schools.
Sioux Central enters Friday night with a record of 2-1, with wins over South O’Brien and Lawton-Bronson, and a loss to Cherokee Washington sandwiched in between. The Rebels offense is a run-heavy offense, led by senior running back Kinnick Fahrenkrog and junior quarterback Owen Mills. Mills is the Rebels leading rusher with 377 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Fahrenkrog is not far behind with 331 yards and 4 touchdowns. Fellow running backs Hunter Cooper and Michael Buettner have also contributed, with Cooper rushing for 122 yards and Buettner rushing for 125 yards. The Rebels rarely go to the air, but Titus Koster and Ethyn Wilson have been the favorite targets of Owen Mills early in the season, but a senior-heavy offensive line has made life easy for the Rebels to run the football.
Defensively, the linebacking core has been the calling card of the Rebels the past couple of seasons, a unit led by Kinnick Fahrenkrog, who leads the Rebels in total tackles (29.5), solo tackles (13) and tackles for loss (3). Joining Fahrenkrog in the linebacking core are Michael Buettner and promising freshman Remington McGregor. The defensive backfield is a productive one, as Hunter Cooper and Owen Mills lead the unit with 16.5 tackles and 16 tackles respectively. Ethyn Wilson leads the unit with 2 interceptions so far this season. The defensive line has seen a mass rotation, and will likely settle a normal unit sooner rather than later.
Eagle Grove will need to limit turnovers on Friday, and sustain long drives. The Eagles were able to put together a couple home run plays against Forest City, but the Eagles will need to find ways to stay ahead of the chains. The Eagles defense will need to be ready for a quick, physical rushing attack.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM at Sioux Central High School on Friday Night.