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WATERLOO - The score certainly caught the attention of Nik Moser's Fort Dodge football team.
Waterloo East 68, Marshalltown 22.
Last week's rout by the Trojans – which came on the road in the Bobcats' 2026 home debut – may have surprised a lot of people.
Moser wasn't exactly one of them.
"This is by far the best East has been in my seven years (as head coach)," Moser said. "They're very talented at the skill positions and can do some damage if you aren't fundamentally sound (defensively).
"Anytime a team scores 68 points, especially on the road, it opens your eyes. But I knew even before the season started that East was going to be a much-improved ballclub this year under (head coach) DeCarlos (Anderson)."
The Dodgers take a 2-0 record to Memorial Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday. Fort Dodge has wiped out Mason City and Webster City by a combined point spread of 93-6 thus far.
"We'll do our best to stay balanced and keep relying on a lot of different guys on both sides of the ball," Moser said. "That's been our formula for success, along with being as physical as possible.
"You obviously want to try to not get into a lot of one-on-one situations with (East's playmakers), and you really have to be fundamentally sound in your tackling. It's not just about making initial contact, but actually bringing the player with the ball down because they have guys who can slip free if you aren't careful."
Senior quarterback Tru McBride has accounted for nine touchdowns so far to help lead the Dodgers, while tailback Will McElroy has 363 yards rushing at over 12 yards per carry. McBride, a Wayne State (Neb.) College recruit, has 428 passing yards and six rushing touchdowns. Sophomore Mason Hughes has caught six passes for 189 yards.
Fort Dodge, which sputtered at times a year ago with a younger offensive unit, has been clicking on all cylinders so far.
"We'll try to establish the run and be tough up front, and Tru will have to be accurate with his throws and decision making," Moser said. "It's worked so far, but the level of competition is about to pick up. We have to meet the level of intensity and quality of opponent these next two weeks before district play starts."
FDSH senior linebacker Jayce Skow recorded 13.5 tackles in last week's 57-0 shutout of the Lynx, with sophomore Mykel Benedict intercepting a pair of passes.
Dodger junior Luke Beckley and senior Jayon Preston-Grady are the leaders in tackles for loss. Skow and fellow senior Sam Moser have registered the most stops. Senior Javion Soppeland has both an interception and a fumble recovery to his credit.
"Help defense is a must against a team like (East)," Moser said. "They have a handful of guys who are extremely fast, so we have to try and keep them as contained as possible and not let them get behind the defense or into open space a lot."
Senior Josiahs Spates has 277 yards rushing so far at over 11 yards per carry to anchor the Trojans. Junior quarterback Zyvieon Jackson has completed 63 percent of his passes for 220 yards and hasn't thrown an interception.
Juniors Norshawn Pompilus and Mason Eison have both been productive on the ground for East as well, with juniors Gianni Gary and Jadyn Perkins leading the receiving corps.
Senior Jordan Banks and junior Trent Keller are the Trojans' leading tacklers.
A series which dates back to 1932 may be nearing its end, given East will consolidate with West to form Waterloo United beginning in 2027-28. Both the Trojans and Wahawks – who visit Dodger Stadium next week – are on the non-district portion of the slate for now, though that could change when a new schedule is released next season.
"I think it's great – and fitting – that we're playing East and West kind of at the tail end (of their time as separate programs)," Moser said. "There's so much history and tradition between us, dating back to the old Sloane Wallace (Stadium) days.
"It's always fun to make the trip over to Waterloo and rekindle the old Big 8 rivalries."
Fort Dodge trails the all-time series with East, 35-32, though the Dodgers have won seven straight since the matchup was renewed in 2015 - including victories in five consecutive seasons.
Moser confirmed that senior defensive back Patrick Clay has been lost for the year due to a torn ACL. Clay was projected to see the field regularly this fall as third safety alongside Moser and junior Reggie Pederson.
The Dodgers have won 17 of their last 19 regular-season games overall dating back to the 2024 opener against Webster City.