Photo by David Borer: Fort Dodge's Dreshaun Ross takes a handoff from Dodger quarterback Tru McBride last week in Webster City.

The initial Iowa high school football Associated Press rankings have been released, as Fort Dodge checks in at No. 7 in Class 4A.

The Dodgers have picked up wins over Mason City and Webster City to begin the season. Fort Dodge (2-0 overall) welcomes in old Big 8 rival Waterloo East this Friday night to Dodger Stadium.

Joining the Dodgers in the rankings from the area are Emmetsburg and Bishop Garrigan. The E-Hawks are sixth in 1A and the Golden Bears are second in eight-player.

Both Algona and Humboldt are receiving votes in 3A, while South Central Calhoun is receiving votes in 1A.

The No. 1 ranked squads in their respective classes are Waukee Northwest (5A), Cedar Rapids Xavier (4A), Sioux City Heelan (3A), OABCIG (2A), West Lyon (1A), ACGC (A) and Fremont-Mills (eight-player).

Fort Dodge has won each of the last six meetings with Waterloo East, including a 40-7 victory last year. The Dodgers have won their first two games of this season by a combined seven points, including a 7-6 triumph over Webster City on the road last Friday night.

Junior Will McElroy has rushed for 240 yards, while classmate Tru McBride has 179 yards passing and three total touchdowns. On defense, senior Dreshaun Ross has 12 tackles — eight for loss — and four sacks.

The Trojans (0-2) have lost their first two games of the year to Marshalltown (43-20) and No. 10 (5A) Waterloo West (50-7). Senior Chris Pierce has 240 yards passing and a pair of TDs, as sophomore Gianni Gary has six receptions for 133 yards with a score.

Emmetsburg heads to fourth-ranked (2A) Okoboji this week while Bishop Garrigan hosts North Iowa. Algona looks to rebound from a loss to No. 2 (2A) Carroll Kuemper when they travel to Forest City.

Humboldt tries to bounce back after losing to third-ranked (3A) Clear Lake when they head to Carroll. South Central Calhoun plays IKM-Manning.