The Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Cowboys football team returns to action on Friday night, when they host the Estherville-Lincoln Central Midgets in Class 2A, District 2 action at the Clarion Football Field at CGD Middle School. ELC won last year’s meeting in Estherville by a score of 31-14, and lead the all-time series by a margin of 7-3.
Estherville-Lincoln Central has been through a tough non-district schedule with lopsided losses to OABCIG, Emmetsburg and Algona, followed up with a district-opening loss to Okoboji. Layton Yager is the Midgets new signal-caller, throwing for 513 yards and 5 touchdowns, but with 6 interceptions. Yager’s favorite target has been senior receiver Sincere McMurran, who’s caught 18 passes for 266 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Braxton Johnson has caught 2 touchdown passes on the season. Running the football has been a struggle for the Midgets, as Kale Shatto leads the Midgets with 141 yards, while James Richard has 117 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground.
Defensively, the linebacking core has seen big production this season, led by senior Dylan Peta with 36 tackles and 5 tackles for loss. Fellow senior Tate White has 23.5 tackles on the season, while junior James Richard has 21.5 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and 1 sack. Sincere McMurran is the statistical leader of the secondary, with a unit-high 20.5 tackles, while Amari Armstrong had 20 tackles, a tackle for loss and an interception, while Alexis Castillo has 10 tackles. The defensive line has seen limited production, as senior Liam brown has 6 tackles, 4 tackles for loss and a sack, while Noah Danner has 12 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and a sack.
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows will look to get back on track after their 21-0 loss to GHV, without the services of quarterback JD Morrical. A big emphasis for the Cowboys will be less penalties, as the 3 possible touchdowns were called back due to Penalties for CGD a week ago.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM from the Clarion Football Field on Friday Night.