Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge's Jake Erickson is a returning first team all-district safety.

The series history log sticks out like a sore thumb: the Fort Dodge football team has won 16 consecutive games against arch rival Mason City, dating all the way back to 2004.

When Friday’s season opener between the Dodgers and Mohawks kicks off, though, FDSH head coach Nik Moser knows past results and bragging rights won’t score either team a single point.

“What’s happened over the last decade and a half or so is something we take a great deal of pride in as a program, of course,” Nik Moser said. “But all of that is behind us. With the exception of one or two players, our current guys haven’t been a part of any of it. It’s up to them to create their own memories and legacy in this rivalry.”

Fort Dodge and Mason City will square off for the 106th time at 7 p.m. inside Dodger Stadium. The state’s third-oldest football matchup resumes after a unique detour in 2020: for the first time in 98 years, the Dodgers and Mohawks didn’t play because of COVID-19 complications within the MCHS district.

As a result, the overwhelming majority of players on the field tonight have never faced each other at the varsity level.

“We’re kind of hitting the reset button, so to speak,” said Moser, who is beginning his second season at the helm. “The kids are looking forward to getting back out there and competing, not just because it’s the season opener but against Mason City especially. It’s a game we’ve always emphasized as a program: they know how much (retaining) that Decker Sporting Goods Trophy means, and they want to experience it themselves.

“Talking about the past and reminiscing is great for kids who have graduated. But those games will have zero bearing on what happens (Friday).”

Fort Dodge welcomes an interesting combination of starters back in 2021. Some — like safety Jake Erickson, receiver Javion Jondle, and fullback and nose guard Jace Ulrich, who are three of the four team captains — return with full-time varsity experience.

The offensive line is deep and adept, with seniors Cael Mason, Jon Astor, Jake Wagner and Brett Thompson flanked by juniors Collin Munter and Keaton Nichols. All started at one time or another a year ago.

Senior captain Ben Egli (linebacker) and classmates Kaden Lynch (defensive end), Pry’Shayn Mosley (defensive end), Bradley Vodraska (receiver), Amaris Harris (split end), Jon Presswood (running back), Gavin Schillerstrom (kicker) and Carson Peterson are all regulars with experience as well.

Replacing a quarterback, an all-state tailback and most of their defense’s back seven makes the Dodgers — who were 3-5 a year ago, with four regular-season losses to opponents with a combined record of 31-7 — a work in progress. And that’s typical, Moser emphasized.

“We’re getting there,” Moser said. “It’s time. I’m looking forward to seeing how a lot of our players react to live varsity action. Mason City has some really strong pieces back, and so do we. Mason City also has some question marks, and so do we.

“I guess like most coaches, I have a love-hate relationship with Week 1 of the season; on one hand, you can’t wait to finally play a game and get going. But it also tends to be a reminder that you still have a ways to go and a lot of improving to do. So that’s been our focus: just getting better every single day.”

Connor Carver, a 6-foot-2 junior who threw for 242 yards and four touchdowns as a back-up to Peterson a year ago, will make his first varsity start at quarterback for FDSH. Peterson will slide into a receiver/safety role this fall.

The Mohawks, who were 3-4 in 2020, are led by all-district performers Carter Thomas, Brandon Peters and Carter Gorder. Quarterback Kale Hobart returns as well.

“Thomas is just an outstanding all-around athlete,” Moser said. “He’s a two-way player, and I’m sure they’re going to try and get the ball into his hands as much as possible. Peters is their top tackler from a year ago (at linebacker). Gorder is getting a lot of college looks (as a lineman), and from what I’ve seen on film, it’s well-deserved. Hobart is a bigger kid and a solid quarterback. Isaiah Washington (son of former FDSH standout Murphy Washington) is 6-foot-5 and a good-looking receiver.

“Their passing game should be their strong suit. We’ll have to be up to the challenge, show consistency, be aware and assignment strong.”

Newcomers to the Dodgers’ starting lineup include Colin Glesne (linebacker), O’Rion Larson-Trott (linebacker), Tucker Pederson (linebacker), Kaleb Lynch (defensive end), Kody Halverson (safety) and Karson Farrell (cornerback).

“They just need game reps,” Moser said. “We have some guys who are ready to make an impact. Some of them were on the field last season — just maybe not on a regular basis.

“We’ll get there. This is a good early test to see where we stand. We’re looking forward to it.”