(Underwood, IA) — After two straight trips to the Dome did not yield a state title, Underwood hopes the third time is the charm in 2024.
Eagles Head Coach Nate Mechaelsen does lose a lot of talent off of last year’s 10-2 team that lost in the Semifinals to MFL-Mar Mac. Mechaelsen says there are more unknowns coming into this season than in the past
Underwood loses key producers at running back and receiver. Senior Maddox Nelson ran for 1,361 yards and 15 TD while Mason Boothby (47 catches, 1,097 yards, 17 TD) and Josh Ravlin (42 catches, 538 yards, 5 TD) have graduated as well. But the Eagles have Junior Garrett Luett who will head to University of Iowa to play baseball — he’s good at football too having thrown for 2,547 yards and 32 TD and was a 2nd team All-State selection
On defense, the Eagles will be led by Senior Samuel Schoening who is a hybrid LB slash DB who was second on the team in tackles with 63.5, 52 solo and 7 TFL. Underwood had 24 interceptions as a team which has been an emphasis according to Mechaelsen who says everything must fall in the right place if Underwood wants to go back to the Dome
Underwood opens their season on Friday August 30 at Van Meter.
Complete Interview with Nate Mechaelsen
