The Eagle Grove Eagles football team returns to action on Friday night, as they host the Raiders of East Sac County in Class 1A, District 2 action at Gene Hinrichsen Field in Eagle Grove. Eagle Grove enters at 0-5, while East Sac County enters at 2-3, as the Raiders won last season’s meeting in Sac City by a score of 23-0. East Sac County leads the all-time series 3-2 dating back to 2006.
East Sac County enters with a record of 2-3 with shutout wins over Missouri Valley and Pocahontas Area, along with losses to IKM-Manning, OABCIG and Emmetsburg. The Raiders are led by senior quarterback Sam Julin, who’s thrown for 648 yards and 8 touchdowns with 4 interceptions, while rushing for another 260 yards and 4 touchdowns. Julin’s favorite target has been senior Asher Lawler, who’s caught 15 passes for 282 yards and 4 touchdowns. Fellow senior Jack Gullett has caught 12 passes for 175 yards and 2 touchdowns, while sophomore Dawson Allen has caught 7 passes for 69 yards and 2 touchdowns. Landon Grindle leads the Raiders rushing attack, with 377 yards and 5 touchdowns on 68 carries, while Carson Schmitt has added 120 yards on the ground. The offensive line is led by some big seniors in Joey Greve and Calvin Chedester.
Defensively, the linebacking core has been the bell cow for the Raiders in 2024. Gabe King is the Raiders leading tackler with 48.5 tackles and 8 tackles for loss, while fellow linebacker Dawson Allen has 26 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack, while Sam Julin has 20.5 tackles with a pick six. The defensive backfield has been highly productive, as Jack Gullett leads the unit with 2 interceptions, along with 26.5 tackles and a tackle for loss. Carson Schmitt is the unit’s leading tackler with 41.5 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and an interception. Up front, junior Kale Snyder leads the unit with 29 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, while senior Calvin Chedester has also been a big producer with 20 tackles and 3 tackles for loss.
Eagle Grove will look to find ways to right the ship after a tough, blowout loss in Week 5 to Manson-Northwest Webster. Trenton Robinson was finding consistency before exiting with an injury, and Brett Ascherl was able to find some running alleys at times. The Eagles pass rush will need to pressure Sam Julin consistently.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM at Gene Hinrichsen Field on Friday Night.