The Eagle Grove Eagles football team returns to action on Friday night, as they make the drive to northwest Iowa to take on the Emmetsburg E-Hawks in Class 1A, District 2 action at the Emmetsburg Athletic Complex. Eagle Grove enters at 0-6, while Emmetsburg enters at 6-0 and ranked #4 in Class 1A. Emmetsburg won last year’s meeting in Eagle Grove by a score of 49-8, and lead the all-time series 20-1-2, dating back to 1922.
After running away with the district title a season ago, the E-Hawks look poised to do so again, sitting at 6-0 with wins over Central Lyon/George-Little Rock, Estherville-Lincoln Central, Sheldon, East Sac County, Sioux Central and Pocahontas Area. The E-Hawks are back to perfecting the Wing-T that Hall of Fame coach Duane Twait ran during his tenure, as they feature 3 rushers over 500 yards. Carson Baak is the E-Hawks leading rusher with 641 yards and 11 touchdowns, while junior Brayden Yates has 594 yards and 8 touchdowns. Quarterback Gavin Swanson has rushed for 500 yards and 9 touchdowns while throwing for 267 yards and 2 touchdowns. Byron Maina has been the big play target, catching 3 passes for 96 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Ryan Wirtz has 5 receptions for 74 yards. the E-Hawks offensive line is a quick, agile one as well.
Defensively, the secondary has made an abundance of plays throughout the season. Linebacker Carson Baak leads the back seven with 2 interceptions, while defensive lineman Ryan Wirtz has 42 yards on an interception. Baak has 16 tackles and 3.5 TFL on the year, while Justin Wirtz leads the E-Hawks with 25.5 tackles, 9 TFL and a sack. The defensive backfield has been led by Gavin Swenson has a unit-high 16 tackles with a pair of fumble recoveries, while Cam Madden has 14.5 tackles and an interception. The defensive line is led by Ryan Wirtz with 12.5 tackles, 5.5 TFL and 3 sacks, while Keegan Hammerlick has 6.5 tackles, 1.5 TFL, a sack and an interception.
Eagle Grove has a tall-task at hand with a top-5 Emmetsburg squad. The Eagles hope to get fullback Trenton Robinson back from injury after missing last week, although Hayden Schafer played well against East Sac County.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM from the Emmetsburg Athletic Complex on Friday Night.