It’s the equivalent of Christmas day for football teams across the state of Iowa.

That includes Fort Dodge and Webster City, as the recent rivals square off inside Dodger Stadium to kick off the 2024 season on Friday night at 7 p.m.

Nik Moser’s squad returns 13 starters from a 4-5 campaign a year ago, including four offensive linemen. The fifth-year FDSH head coach will lean heavily on the squad’s experience in the trenches as it introduces a new quarterback, full-time tailback and corps of receivers.

“We’re hoping to be able to set the tone up front,” said Moser, who is 18-18 at the helm. “It’s always nice to have that many guys back on the line, especially with their size and skill. They’ve embraced who they are and what they’re capable of.

“The time for preparing is over, though. We have to be ready to go against a very strong program.”

The Lynx are introducing a new era to their fans following the retirement of Hall of Fame coaching icon Bob Howard. Long-time assistant Andy Brim takes over, and doesn’t exactly have to reinvent the wheel as Webster City returns five all-district selections.

“We don’t know exactly what to expect from them, but that’s kind of how it is in Week 1 anyway,” Moser said. “You’re trying to figure out who you are and take care of your own responsibilities first.

“I’m sure there will be some new wrinkles with Coach Brim, but they’ll still be a physical football team that will want to establish the run and be tough on both sides of the ball (along the lines). That’s been their identity, and it’s worked for a long time (the Lynx were 8-3 a year ago and are 72-23 since 2015).”

Webster City scored a late touchdown to edge the Dodgers last fall in the opener, 35-28.

All-district selections Jackson McQuillen (first team offensive lineman), Luke Fierke (second team offensive lineman), Noah Daniel (second team defensive back), Jesse Egli (second team defensive back), Tytrell Mosley (second team wide receiver) and Gavin Pederson (honorable mention offensive lineman) are back for Fort Dodge. McQuillen and Pederson are seniors; Fierke, Daniel, Egli and Mosley are juniors.

Conspicuously absent from the lineup is Dreshaun Ross. The first team all-stater will miss his entire junior campaign after injuring his shoulder at Fargo Nationals last month. Ross had successful shoulder surgery four weeks ago, but will be sidelined for four to six months.

“You don’t just replace a guy with nine high-end Division I scholarship offers for football, including (defending national champion) Michigan (as well as Iowa, Iowa State, Nebraska, Missouri, Purdue, Minnesota, Kansas and Kansas State),” Moser said. “We’re not complaining or anything…we just have to do what we can to shore that up collectively and keep getting better.

“Other kids have to step up. No one is going to feel sorry for us.”

Sophomore Tru McBride will make his debut at quarterback. McBride, who is already 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, helped lead the FDSH freshman squad to a 6-2 season in 2023.

Senior Jamarius Gibbs-Green, who was an effective tailback a year ago when sharing time with Ross in the backfield, now expects to get the lion’s share of the carries. A number of newcomers – up to nine – will rotate in and out at receiver.

Senior Royce Pederson, the full-time quarterback down the stretch last fall, moves to fullback and will also play tight end and linebacker.

Defensive end Jonathan Brown joins Egli and Daniel as the only returning starters on defense.

“There are times where we are clicking and in rhythm and everything looks good,” Moser said. “And there are times where it’s a struggle. Again, that’s not out of the ordinary for August. We’re looking forward to seeing someone else across from us and measuring up against an opponent. It’s time to go.”

Webster City welcomes back all-district selections Jayden Weinzetl, Cael Nixon, Luke Estlund, Cole Nohrenberg and Beau Nohrenberg. The Lynx reached the Class 3A state quarterfinal round in 2023.