Homecoming week is filled with festivities and pageantry. Students pack their schedules with extracurricular activities and burn the candle at both ends to fit as much spirit as possible into a five-day stretch.

Once Friday evening rolls around, though, members of the Fort Dodge football team turn their undivided attention to Dodger Stadium and the Class 4A, District 1 opener against Denison-Schleswig. They’ll be all business.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Head coach Nik Moser’s squad realizes the importance of this contest, and it isn’t just for sentimental purposes. Fort Dodge (2-2 overall) needs to try and protect its turf as the Monarchs (2-2) come to town with early league positioning on the line.

“District games are important for a lot of reasons. When you have one at home, you have to take advantage,” Moser said. “This should be a really competitive (playoff race) over the next five weeks. We have the added incentive of (Homecoming), but we have to use that energy to our advantage.

“I think most coaches would tell you they have some mixed emotions about this week. The bottom line is that we have to be ready to play once (kickoff) rolls around, because this is a really tough Denison-Schleswig ballclub.”

The Monarchs have posted lopsided victories over Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson (38-14) and Carroll (31-7). Both of their losses have been to ranked opponents: No. 6 (3A) Harlan (48-20) and 10th-rated (4A) Glenwood, 28-14.

“They’ve been (within striking distance) in all four games,” Moser said. “The Harlan and Glenwood scores are deceptive. This is a well-coached team that has plenty of athletes and balance (on offense).”

Under first-year head coach Dave Wiebers — the father of do-everything senior talent Luke Wiebers — D-S has passed for 568 yards and run for 573. The 6-foot-3 Wiebers has been a big part of it all, with 564 passing yards, 121 rushing, a Monarch-best 20.5 tackles, and three interceptions.

“(Wiebers) is a versatile player,” Moser said. “He’s a three-year guy who is just a really solid athlete. The same goes for (senior receiver and defensive back Jake) Fink (11 catches, 190 yards, two TDs on offense; two interceptions on defense).

“They’re equally comfortable running and throwing the ball.”

Senior Blaine Brodsky has rushed for 207 yards at 5.6 yards per carry. Sophomore Cole Kastner (24 attempts, 152 yards, 3 TDs) is next in line. Wiebers, Fink and Brodsky were all-district selections in 2022.

Fort Dodge bounced back from a lopsided loss at Dallas Center-Grimes with a 45-27 victory over Waterloo East last Friday. Sophomore Dreshaun Ross had 105 yards on the ground and a pair of scores, while Jamarius Gibbs-Green, Noah Daniel and Grant Williams all hit paydirt as well. Williams returned an interception for a score.

Junior Royce Pederson, who threw for 182 yards in his varsity debut at quarterback against the Trojans, will move back to linebacker as classmate Jase Nekvinda returns from concussion protocol.

Senior Isaiah Caldwell recorded five tackles for loss last Friday. Sophomore Jesse Egli intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble.

“This is a five-game race now,” Moser said. “The sense of urgency has to be there. We need to be ready to go physically and mentally and avoid letdowns in emotion or execution.”