The official start of prep football will feature one of the state’s oldest rivalries, as St. Edmond and Bishop Garrigan collide here Friday night inside Dodger Stadium.

Kickoff has been moved back to 8 p.m. due to the hot and humid weather.

The Gaels and Golden Bears first met in 1959 and have since played 62 times, with Bishop Garrigan holding a 40-22 lead all-time in the series. St. Edmond has won each of the last three, including a 45-40 thriller last year on Homecoming.

Both programs continue to navigate the waters of eight-player football, having made the move two seasons ago. They shared a district the past two years, but are now split apart.

Powered by the return of senior quarterback JT Laufersweiler, the Gaels are coming off a 4-4 campaign in which they won two of their last three contests. Laufersweiler threw for over 1,400 yards with 15 touchdowns in 2022, adding another 521 yards and 13 scores on the ground.

Laufersweiler is one of a handful of returning starters back along with juniors Adam Walker, Klay Baker, Dominic McClain and Sam Myer, along with sophomore Kinnick Henning.

“We used to have a rivalry for our opener almost every year when I was at West Des Moines Dowling with Valley,” SEHS head coach Matt Dillon said. “It’s just a great way to start the season. It should be a fun, hard fought contest that will definitely be a great test for our guys.”

Joining Laufersweiler in the backfield will be Baker and Myer, with Henning at wingback. Senior Leo Ehn is the starter at tight end, McClain moves to the slot, and Walker, Max Webster and Quintin Jaeschke form the offensive line.

“I really like this group,” Dillon said. “We’re solid everywhere. We don’t have a lot of depth, so staying healthy is going to be key. And with the weather, it’s going to be tough on us because kids are going to be playing offense, defense and even special teams.”

Henning, Webster, Walker and Jaeschke form the defensive line in run-stopping formations, with Myer at one linebacker. A combination of Baker, McClain, Ethan Swisher and Jakob Koopman will form the back half of the defense.

Bishop Garrigan went 3-5 last fall, starting the season off with wins over Janesville and North Iowa before a five-game slide. They closed things off with a 63-0 victory over Northwood-Kensett.

The majority of the offensive production graduated, leaving newcomers to fill the positions. Caden Roethler retuns after rushing for 233 yards with seven touchdowns, as either Drew Muller or Tate Foertsch will replace Garrett Heying at quarterback.

Justin Bauer, Sam Plathe, Logan Nemmers and Keaton Helleseth also return with Gavin Menke, Benjy Trainer, Brody Ludwig, Drew Lappe and Trayton Cink having gained valuable varsity playing time as underclassmen.

“We have great numbers and good depth,” BGHS head coach Marty Wadle said. “We need to stay healthy and play better than the last two seasons, but we have the potential to compete for a district title.”

Wadle, in his 32nd season with Bishop Garrigan, owns a career record of 216-93 at the school.