The Hampton-Dumont-CAL football team will host #4 (3A) Algona in Friday’s regular season finale.
The Bulldogs (3-5, 1-3 3A-2) are coming off their first district win, a 21-0 triumph at Charles City last week. They got back to their desired offensive form with 220 rushing yards, including a 100-yard performance by Colin Bird. They’ll look to close their season on a high-note and an upset, with virtually no shot at a wild card playoff bid.
Algona (7-1, 3-1 3A-2) is locked into the #2-seed in the district, meaning a playoff spot has been clinched. They’ve been operating amid the loss of Iowa State commit quarterback Alex Manske, who’s out for the rest of the season with an elbow injury. Hampton-Dumont-CAL coach Cole Miller says it’ll still be a tough test with a lot on the line.
“Anytime a team loses their Division I commit, especially a quarterback, it becomes a different game,” Miller says. “But I think his little brother’s the backup. And I was able to catch the end of the game when they played Humboldt. And he drove them right down the field and gave them a shot at tying the game up or going for it. And then they ended up losing it. So it’s not like they have a slouch back there at quarterback. And they’re surrounded by athletes. So they’re a good football team. They’re well-coached. It’s going to be a different challenge, but a tough challenge nonetheless. And I know our boys will be excited for it. And they’ll want to get one last upset.”
Algona won 21-7 when the teams met last season. The kickoff will be at 7:00 p.m.