HUMBOLDT — Over 100 times Algona and Humboldt have met, but never with this much magnitude.

For the 108th time in the Battle of Highway 169, the Bulldogs (6-0, 2-0) will travel to Humboldt (5-1, 2-0) to try to be the lone unbeaten team remaining in Class 3A, District 2.

“First of all the big thing is the 108 years of tradition,” said Humboldt head coach Derrick Elman. “This has been going on for 112 straight years, we had three flu epidemic years and one canceled because of snow.

“Throw on top of that Algona’s ranked No. 1 and we’re No. 2. That is a great thing for the brand of football in northern Iowa.”

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on Mason Maach Field.

Algona leads the series 54-50-3 and is looking for their seventh straight victory this season.

The two district foes enter the contest as the top-ranked squads in 3A in the IHSAA RPI Rankings.

“It’s going to be an exciting environment,” said Algona head coach Andy Jacobson. “We’ve always talked about no matter who you play, you always do things the right way. This game will take a lot of discipline and a lot of focus.

“We need to focus on one thing at a time and cheer on our teammates and do it with high energy and high effort.”

Last season the Bulldogs ended a three-game skid in the series with the Wildcats, winning 34-17. Prior to that Algona had one three in a row.

“This is a huge game with No. 1 and No. 2, but we’ve focused all year on one play at a time and one day at a time and not results,” Jacobson said. “We have to be able to perform (at No. 1) because we are going to get everyone’s best effort.

“The seniors are enjoying this.”

Iowa State recruit Alex Manske is off to a monster start for the Bulldogs. Manske ranks second in the state with a 235.6 quarterback rating and Humboldt signal-caller Coen Matson is third (211.5).

Manske is second in 3A with 24 touchdowns and third in passing touchdowns with 16. He is also third in the state with 19.3 yards per completion.

He is fourth in passing yards in 3A (1,295) and third in total yards (1,562).

“We’ve been in big games this year with Van Meter and North Polk (4A),” Elman said. “We’ve seen some extremely good teams and we try to simulate that in practice. Algona is a great team and Manske is a special, special player and we have to do what we can to counter that.”

Algona senior Tate Slagle (299 yards) and Evan Allie (449) have been the beneficiaries of Manske’s skill.

Slagle has 16 balls for seven touchdowns and Allie has 20 grabs for four scores. Tyson VanDeWalle has 13 catches and three touchdowns.

The Bulldogs have run for 925 yards, led by William Weichert, who has 467 yards and six touchdowns. Manske has run eight touchdowns in.

“In this game, we have to do the things we can coach and execute,” Jacobson said. “We have to focus on our assignments and do that for four quarters.”

Humboldt’s strength of schedule ranks second in Class 3A, after ending Van Meter’s 26-game winning streak by topping the three-time defending state champions, 28-21.

They were also in a dogfight with top-ranked North Polk (4A), falling 26-17.

“The kids have worked hard and have earned these rankings,” Elman said. “We’ve had some big wins in the program. The seniors have been in the UNI-Dome and the Class of 2022 and 2023 have left a lasting legacy.

“These guys practice at a high level and we had a great week of practice.”

Matson has led the offense, throwing for 1,183 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has completed his passes at a 72 percent rate at 71 of 98.

His main targets have been Keegan Groat (459 yards), Chase Flaherty (276) and Valley Davis (233). They have five, four and three touchdowns respectively.

On the ground, the Wildcats have run for 700 yards. Cash McIntire has 225 yards and three touchdowns, while Matson has 148 yards and two scores. Jaxson Kirchhoff has two touchdowns.

“The biggest element for us will be turnovers and penalties that can hurt a drive,” Elman said. “First downs will be key in this game and lead to success.

“On the defensive side, we have to eliminate big plays and get their offense off the field.”