SIOUX CITY — Instead of discussing records, outcomes and scenarios this week, Fort Dodge head coach Nik Moser wanted his squad to get back to the elementary roots of football in preparation for a trip to Sioux City West.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. inside Elwood Olsen Stadium, located on the campus of Morningside University.

“I want our team to start having fun again,” Moser said. “Being excited to play the game. Looking forward to Week 8 like it’s Week 1.

“I think it’s easy — and pretty common — to reach this point and start to feel both the grind of the season and the pressures of performing strictly for results. We want to get back to the basics, enjoy the game, play like we know we can and let the outcome be the outcome.”

For the fourth time this year, the Dodgers (3-4 overall, 1-2 in Class 4A, District 1) look to successfully bounce back from a loss. The Wolverines (0-7, 0-3) have struggled all season long, but Moser again emphasized looking inward rather than focusing on circumstances beyond FDSH’s control.

“We’ve just had very basic conversations about controlling what we can and not worrying about what happens beyond this game,” Moser said. “We want to get better, execute, play with excitement and enthusiasm, and then we’ll look forward to our last game (at home against Spencer).”

The Dodgers are expected to be back closer to full-strength this week with the return of sophomore tailback and linebacker Dreshaun Ross. The 215-pound state wrestling champion has missed almost two full games since injuring his ankle in the first quarter at Storm Lake.

Ross has rushed for 610 yards and seven scores, and junior Jamarius Gibbs-Green (419 and 5) has emerged in his absence. Ross also has a Dodger-best 55.5 tackles, with senior Drew Moritz (46.5) and sophomore Jesse Egli (44) next in line.

FDSH senior Isaiah Caldwell has recorded 11 tackles for loss. Senior kicker Parker Schillerstrom has converted all 19 of his extra points to date.

West is powered by tailback Shamar Harrell (461 yards, four touchdowns, 7.1 yards per carry) and junior quarterback Sincere Douglas (668 yards, four TDs). Junior Tavien Manning has 217 receiving yards and a pair of scores.

Sophomore Jackson DeBondt (50.5 tackles) and junior Alonso Cota (12 tackles for loss) are the Wolverines’ defensive leaders.

No. 9 Le Mars (6-1, 3-0) continues to lead the 4A-1 standings alongside Denison-Schleswig (5-2, 3-0). The Bulldogs and Monarchs meet on Friday for district supremacy.

The top two squads from each 4A district advance to the playoffs, with four at-large schools also making the 16-team cut.

The weather on Friday could get tricky. Temperatures are expected to hover around 50 degrees with a strong chance of intermittent showers and a northwest wind blowing at around 20 miles per hour.