Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Tru McBride of Fort Dodge throws a pass on Friday inside Dodger Stadium.

Both the Fort Dodge and Humboldt football teams enter 2025 with lofty expectations on the gridiron.

Friday night, the two schools — who are separated by just 17 miles — got together inside the recently-renovated and historic Dodger Stadium for a preseason scrimmage.

Nik Moser, a former FDSH all-stater who went on to start at Iowa State, enters his sixth season in charge of his alma mater after going 7-3 a year ago. Fort Dodge has posted two seven-win seasons under Moser, who is 25-21 overall.

Led by returning all-stater Dreshaun Ross, the Dodgers also have starting quarterback Tru McBride and his Top-3 leading receivers back from a season ago in Tytrell Mosley, University of Iowa commit Noah Daniel and Dalton Eckley.

Ross, who missed the entire 2024 season after having surgery, ran for 729 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore while recording 61.5 tackles with 11 for loss. The three-time state wrestling champion has committed to wrestle for David Taylor at Oklahoma State University.

McBride, meanwhile, completed 58 percent of his passes for over 1,500 yards with 18 touchdowns. Mosley caught 36 passes for 382 and four scores, Daniel had 374 yards receiving with a team-high six TDs, and Eckley caught 20 passes for 269 and three scores.

Jesse Egli, the leading tackler last year with 64.5 stops, returns to anchor things on that side of the ball. Ross, Daniel, Jayce Skow, John Hughes, Caiden Fraher, Taevon Feeley, Sam Moser and Will McElroy are all veteran starters.

Humboldt, led by head coach Derrick Elman, reached the Class 3A title game last season. The Wildcats have advanced to the semifinals in the UNI-Dome three times in seven seasons under Elman.

All-staters Cael Donahe, Chase Flaherty, Jack Guy and Broedy Hendricks are all back as Humboldt looks to replace 3A player of the year Coen Matson. Jackson Flaherty is set to handle quarterback duties with twin brother Chase, as well as Cash McIntire, Jaxson Kirchhoff and Valley Davis.

Chase Flaherty led the team with 56 catches for over 800 yards and nine touchdowns, as Davis added 31 receptions for almost 500 yards and seven TDs.

Donahe is the leading returning tackler after making 76.5 stops while Hendricks, a standout wrestler, had 16.5 tackles for loss with five sacks while Guy recorded 38 stops a year ago.

In Week 1 next Friday night, Fort Dodge entertains rival Mason City for the Decker Sporting Goods Trophy. Humboldt hosts Spencer.