The Class 4A, District 1 title won’t be won or lost this week, but both Fort Dodge and Webster City know it’s never too early to set the tone.

The Dodgers take on the defending champion Lynx in an early showdown that will place the base pieces to the playoff jigsaw puzzle on Friday.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. inside Dodger Stadium.

Both squads went 2-2 overall in pre-district action, and are coming off impressive performances last week. Fort Dodge defeated Marshalltown by two touchdowns; Webster City crushed Mason City, scoring 42 points in the first half alone.

“They’re a really good football team,” Dodger head coach Nik Moser said of the Lynx. “That kind of goes without saying at this point, but it’s an impressive group to watch on film. It all starts with (junior Jaxon) Cherry — he’s the real deal. But between (Ty) McKinney, (CJ) Hisler, (Keegan) Hisler and some of the other kids they have, there’s a lot of talent, toughness and athleticism in that lineup.”

Cherry, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound tailback and linebacker, rushed for 247 yards and four touchdowns against the Riverhawks. As a squad, Webster City did what it does best in the win, grinding Mason City down to the tune of 52 carries and 425 yards.

“The names are different (up front) versus a year ago (with five new starting offensive linemen), but they’re still impressive (along the lines),” Moser said. “It’s a system under Coach (Bob) Howard that reloads.”

The Lynx are 60-18 overall since 2015. CJ Hisler and Cherry are the reigning District 1 offensive and defensive players of the year, respectively, while McKinney and Connor Hanson were first team all-district selections a year ago. Keegan Hisler, Skyler Scott, Austin Mason and Max Kumm are other veteran starters.

Webster City is third in 4A with 1,094 rushing yards. Cherry is third individually at 606 yards, averaging 7.6 yards per carry.

The Dodgers have scored 30 or more points in all four of their contests thus far. Senior quarterback Connor Carver is second in 4A with 10 passing touchdowns, and he’s only been intercepted twice. Senior Javion Jondle leads the class by a wide margin with 39 receptions, and is third with 405 yards.

Senior Kaleb Lynch ranks second in tackles for loss and fourth in solo tackles.

Last year, the Lynx delivered a late knockout punch with 21 unanswered fourth-quarter points to pull away from Fort Dodge by a final of 41-14.

“(In retrospect), we pressed and took too chances way too early,” Moser said. “We have to be much more patient and disciplined.

“We’ve had a really strong week of practice. This group shows up and wants to get better every day. I think losing our first two games really got our attention and increased the sense of urgency. We need to be a better team (on Friday) than we have been all season, though. That’s how it works, especially against (an opponent) like this.”

Moser is anticipating a large crowd at Dodger Stadium, as FDSH and Webster City meet there in football for the first time in 57 years.

“If you’re in the area and want to see a terrific game, you’ll come out and watch,” Moser said. “Two really hungry 2-2 teams with five games left, and it’s the start of a new season of sorts (with district action). I expect a great environment at a special place to watch football.”