Week 1 High School Football preview — Clear Lake hosts Forest City, Mason City travels to Fort Dodge, area schedule

CLEAR LAKE — 4th-ranked in Class 3A Clear Lake opens the season tonight hosting Forest City for the 76th consecutive season. The Lions are coming off a 6-4 season where they fell to state runner-up Humboldt in the first round of the playoffs.

Clear Lake coach Aaron Stensland says junior Jaxson McIntire will be a key leader for his squad this season.  “I’m going to say this probably multiple times this year, but I feel Jaxson McIntire is not only the best quarterback in 3A, but I think he’s going to be one of the best in the state of Iowa, definitely for his class as a junior, and I just think overall. The leaps that Jaxson has made in leadership, the weight room, and on this practice field have been unbelievable in the last nine months, so we’re looking forward to him having a fantastic season.”

Kickoff tonight in Clear Lake is scheduled for 7 o’clock. You can hear the game on 103.7 The Fox and watch it on northiowanow.com starting with the Radio Iowa Scouting Report at 6:00 followed by the pre-game at 6:15

FORT DODGE — Mason City travels to face longtime rival Fort Dodge to open up the 2025 season.

Riverhawks coach Josh Reuter says a key for his team is a number of players coming back for this year’s squad.  “We’ve got returners coming back, kids with a lot of experience this year. Kids that have seen the field makes a difference, because they know what to expect, the speed of the game, and it’s another year in the system, the offense, defense and special teams systems, they just know it a little bit better. Know it a little better, they can play a little faster.”

Kickoff at Dodger Stadium is scheduled for 7 o’clock. Our night on 98.7 KISS Country and northiowanow.com starts with the Radio Iowa Scouting Report at 6:30 followed by the pre-game at 6:45

— The rest of the area high school football schedule tonight:
Cedar Ridge Christian at Northwood-Kensett — Northiowanow.com at 6:45
Harris-Lake Park at North Iowa
Belmond-Klemme at Clarion-Goldfield-Dows
Eagle Grove at Lake Mills
St. Ansgar at South Hamilton
North Butler at West Fork
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura at West Hancock
Hampton-Dumont-CAL at Osage
Oelwein at Charles City