The Eagle Grove Eagles football team returns to action on Friday night, as they welcome in the Manson-Northwest Webster Cougars in Class 1A, District 2 action for homecoming at Gene Hinrichsen Field. Manson-Northwest Webster won last year’s meeting by a score of 39-0, but Eagle Grove leads the all-time series 10-5, with their first meeting coming back in 1922.
Manson-Northwest Webster enters with a 3-1 record with wins over Southeast Valley, Ogden and Pocahontas Area, and their lone loss a 4-point defeat against MVAOCOU. The Cougars have been a run-heavy attack in 2024, as senior Kamden Birkey leads the way with 542 yards and 6 touchdowns on 91 carries, while Cooper Harman has added 203 yards and a touchdown on 39 carries. Logan Moline is in his 3rd year as starting quarterback, and has thrown for 375 yards and 2 touchdowns, but 3 interceptions on the year. Moline’s favorite target has been senior receiver Matt Condon, who’s caught 10 passes for 161 yards, while also rushing for 106 yards and a touchdown this season. Coy Moline has caught 5 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown, while Broc Patzner has 2 receiving touchdowns. The offensive line is an experienced one with senior Grant Pohlman, junior Carter Van Waes and sophomore Jagger Wolfe.
Defensively, the front seven has been a constant force this season for the Cougars. Sophomore Jagger Wolfe leads the defensive line with 17 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack, while Grant Pohlman has 15.5 tackles and a team-high 6 tackles for loss. The linebacking core is a veteran and talented one, as Carter Van Waes leads the team with 23.5 tackles and a tackle for loss, while Kamden Birkey has 23 tackles and a tackle for loss, Grayson Klocko and Mason Anderson round out the unit with 15.5 and 13.5 tackles each. Matt Condon leads the Cougars secondary with 20.5 tackles and a team-high 5 interceptions. Logan Moline and Blake Jones also have recorded interceptions for the Cougars back four.
Eagle Grove will try and pick up win #1 on the season on Friday, as a big key for the Eagles offense will be finishing drives, as numerous Eagle drives died in Sioux Central territory a week ago. The Eagle Grove defense will need to find ways to consistently bottle up the run on Friday as well.
Kickoff from Gene Hinrichsen Field will come at 7 PM on Friday night, and the game can be heard on 95.7 KQWC or streaming online at kqradio.com.