Clarion-Goldfield-Dows and South Hardin Clash in District 3 Title Race

Class 1A, District 3 high school football features a ranked clash on Friday as eighth-ranked Clarion-Goldfield-Dows hosts ninth-rated South Hardin. Both teams enter the matchup with 5-1 overall records and high stakes for the district title race.

Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Offense Sparks High-Scoring Run

The Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Cowboys have scored over 40 points in all five of their victories this season. Last week, the Cowboys rolled to a 40-6 win over Eagle Grove by racking up 281 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Colin Sesker led the ground game with 17 carries for 114 yards and a five-yard score. J.D. Morrical added 70 yards and a touchdown, while Reed Campbell contributed 67 yards and two scores. Maxton Downing also rushed for a nine-yard touchdown.

On the season, Sesker paces the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows offense with 466 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. The team’s ground attack also features Morrical with 391 yards and four scores, Reed Campbell with 385 yards and six scores, Charlie Campbell with 297 yards and five scores, and Downing with 235 yards and four scores. In the passing game, Morrical has thrown five touchdown passes. Paxton Lingenfelter and Huxley Lingenfelter have caught two touchdowns each, and Charlie Campbell has one.

South Hardin Seeks Bounce-Back Win After Tight Defeat

South Hardin enters Friday’s contest looking to recover from its first loss of the season, a narrow 41-40 defeat against Grundy Center last week. In that game, South Hardin generated 193 passing yards and 189 rushing yards. Braden Weig completed 20 of 34 passes for 193 yards and one touchdown. Manning Plantz scored three touchdowns, while Weig and Kameron Adams each added a score.

For the season, Weig has thrown for 1,749 yards and 22 touchdowns. Adams leads the team’s rushing attack with 494 yards and three touchdowns, alongside Plantz with four scores. The South Hardin receiving corps is led by Casey Williamson with 454 yards and seven touchdowns, Joshua Spindler with 353 yards and six scores, and Colby Zollar with 307 yards and four scores. Grant Meister has added 265 yards and two scores, Aspen Briggs has 257 yards and two scores, and Regan Eide has one touchdown.

District 3 Championship Implications on Friday Night

Friday’s game between Clarion-Goldfield-Dows and South Hardin could decide the Class 1A, District 3 championship. The Cowboys hold a 3-0 district record after sweeping their first three district opponents, while South Hardin sits at 2-1 in district play.