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MASON CITY -- There's no shying away from both the recent history and long-standing tradition Fort Dodge and Mason City share on the football field.
All of the numbers are impressive: 106 games played in 110 years. A 17-game Dodger win streak in the series, dating back to 2004. Sixteen consecutive victories for FDSH with the Decker Sporting Goods traveling trophy on the line.
Yet the only number that matters to head coach Nik Moser and his players on Friday night?
"One," said Moser, who is beginning his third season at the helm. "As in 1-0. The past is the past, and nothing ahead of us matters. We have to stay in the moment and focus on this week only.
"I tell them to not pay attention to anything they read by Eric Pratt in the Messenger when it comes to streaks and everything else that's happened leading up to this point (in the rivalry). Those (Fort Dodge) teams earned their place. This one hasn't yet. Their story (in the history books) is up to them. (Prior) results guarantee nothing (on Friday)."
The 2022 Dodgers kick off a new campaign with a blend of solid returning players and newcomers to the varsity scene. All-staters Javion Jondle and Connor Carver return at wide receiver and quarterback, respectively, along with fellow full-time veterans Tucker Pederson (linebacker), Collin Munter (offensive line), Keaton Nichols (offensive line), Orion Larson-Trott (linebacker) and Kaleb Lynch (defensive end). Grant Williams (receiver), Nate Opande (receiver), Damarion Calahan (defensive back) and Parker Schillerstrom (kicker) are also back with experience.
Wideout Ty Adams, fullback Jace Johnson, tackle and linebacker Cal Hartman, center Max Morud, linebacker Dreshaun Ross, defensive end Isaiah Caldwell and defensive back Drew Moritz, meanwhile, will all take the field for the first time as starters.
"We've had a good (preseason) camp," Moser said. "Things have gotten a little chippy in practice lately, which is the tell-tale sign that it's time to go against someone else. The intensity and effort has been consistent. Obviously we have some things to shore up or get better at, but it's also August.
"We're anxious to see how some of these guys react to real-time game speed. I'm sure Mason City feels the same way. They're in a similar boat (with both questions and answers), I'm sure."
Carver became just the sixth Dodger in school history to throw for over 2,000 yards in a single year last fall. The 6-foot-2, 194-pound senior committed to Bemidji State University, a Div. II program in Minnesota, this past offseason.
Jondle, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound Iowa Central recruit, had 54 catches for 880 yards and seven scores.
Jondle, Munter, Nichols and Lynch are three-year regulars. Jondle, Carver, Munter, Pederson, Larson-Trott and Hartman will serve as team captains.
Jondle, Pederson, Munter, Lynch and Hartman are slated to start on both sides of the ball.
"We have to just keep getting better every day and every week," Moser said. "Execution-wise especially. If we do that, we'll be in good shape. But we have to keep building depth, especially along the lines.
"We have plenty of work to do."
The River Hawks were 4-5 in 2021. Quarterback Kale Hobart returns for a third varsity season after throwing for 1,521 yards and 12 touchdowns last fall.
"He's a stud," Moser said of Hobart. "Very athletic. Hard to contain. (Linebacker Logan) Eide is tough. They have some really nice pieces to the puzzle. Like everyone, I'm sure they'll spend the first few weeks putting it all together.
"We have nothing but respect for what John Lee does (at Mason City). He's an outstanding coach."
Moser is all about maintaining the recent direction of the series, but realizes there is no turning back when it comes to moving forward.
"We never take any of this for granted," Moser said. "We know all about what our past players have done to (retain the Decker trophy). They can enjoy that and talk about the memories. So can (former head coach) Matt Miller. But you don't get anywhere by living in the past. I'm sure this (River Hawk squad) would like nothing more than to be the one to end (the streak). That's why we have to continue to treat each game with hunger and passion, like you have something to prove. That's what it's all about."