Week 6 brings the best slate of the season so far. Here are the ten games our reporters will be at, with kickoff times and what to watch. Two unbeaten rivals will meet for a trophy that has changed hands since 1956. A freshman running back is rewriting his school’s record book. And across the region, a handful of teams that started slowly have a chance to turn their seasons around before district play begins in earnest. If you only have one Friday night to spend at a high school stadium this fall, this might be the one.
All kickoff times are local. Our reporters will post live updates, scores and photos from every game listed here, and our high school page will carry results from across the region throughout the night.
Game of the week
Lincoln (5–0) at Roosevelt (5–0), 7 p.m. The winner takes the Iron Bell, a trophy the schools have traded since 1956. The bell, which once hung in a fire station that stood between the two campuses, now spends each year in the trophy case of whichever school won the most recent meeting. Roosevelt has held it for the past two seasons and has won seven of the last ten games in the series.
This year’s matchup looks unusually even. Lincoln has the more explosive offense, led by a senior quarterback who has thrown 16 touchdown passes and only two interceptions. Roosevelt counters with the best defense in the district, allowing just 8.4 points per game. Both teams have outscored opponents by more than 25 points per game, and neither has trailed in the fourth quarter all season.
The key matchup is up front. Roosevelt’s defensive line has been dominant, with 19 sacks in five games. Lincoln’s offensive line is young, with two sophomores starting. If Lincoln can protect its quarterback, it has the receivers to win. If not, Roosevelt’s defense could take over.
The rivalry runs deep in both communities. Many of the players’ parents and grandparents played in the game, and both schools hold pep rallies, bonfires and alumni dinners during the week leading up to it. Lincoln’s band has been practicing a new halftime show for a month, and Roosevelt’s student section has planned a “black out” theme. Local businesses on both sides of town have hung banners in their windows, and a few have made friendly bets involving pizza and doughnuts. Longtime fans say the 1987 game, which Lincoln won in triple overtime, is still the best in the series, but this year’s matchup has a chance to join it.
Expect a big crowd. Roosevelt’s stadium holds about 6,000, and school officials said they expect a sellout. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and fans are encouraged to arrive early, carpool where possible and bring cash for parking.
Player to watch
Westview freshman running back Tirell Moss has 912 rushing yards in five games — already a school record for a first-year player. He has scored 11 touchdowns and averages more than eight yards per carry. Coaches across the district say he is the most talented freshman they have seen in years.
Moss combines rare speed with surprising strength for a 15-year-old. He runs with patience, waiting for blocks to develop before cutting into open space, and he rarely goes down on first contact. Westview’s coaching staff has been careful with his workload, limiting him to about 18 carries per game, but he has still found ways to break long runs nearly every week.
Moss has also earned praise for how he handles the attention. He still rides the bus to school, sits with his freshman teammates at lunch and politely declines most interview requests during the week. His coach says he is usually the last player to leave the weight room.
Westview (4–1) hosts Central Valley (3–2) at 7 p.m. Central Valley’s defense has struggled against the run, which could mean another big night for Moss. Our reporter will be on the sideline tracking every carry.
He sees the hole before it opens. You can’t coach that. All you can do is get out of his way.
Westview head coach Darnell Price
The rest of the top ten
Beyond the Iron Bell game and Westview’s home matchup, here are the other eight games our reporters will cover this week, in order of kickoff time:
- Northside (4–1) at Eastbrook (4–1), 6:30 p.m. A district showdown with first place on the line. Northside’s passing game against Eastbrook’s veteran secondary is the matchup to watch.
- Pine Ridge (2–3) at Hillcrest (3–2), 7 p.m. Two teams that need a win to stay in the playoff picture. Pine Ridge has lost three games by a total of nine points.
- St. Augustine (5–0) at Mesa Verde (3–2), 7 p.m. St. Augustine has won by an average of 30 points but has yet to play a strong road opponent.
- Clearwater (4–1) at Oak Hollow (4–1), 7 p.m. Two of the region’s best quarterbacks meet in what could be a shootout.
- Jefferson (1–4) at Madison (2–3), 7 p.m. A rivalry game that dates to the 1940s, with the winner taking home the Founders Cup.
- Riverbend (3–2) at Lakeshore (5–0), 7:30 p.m. Lakeshore’s undefeated record faces its toughest test so far.
- Grant (4–1) at Fairview (2–3), 7:30 p.m. Grant’s defense has forced 14 turnovers in five games, the most in the region.
- Valley Christian (3–2) at Summit Hills (4–1), 7:30 p.m. Summit Hills’ senior kicker has made 11 straight field goals, including two from beyond 45 yards.
Storylines across the region
Beyond individual games, several bigger themes are shaping the season. Week 6 should tell us a lot about which teams are real contenders and which have benefited from easy early schedules.
The undefeated club
Five teams remain unbeaten entering this week: Lincoln, Roosevelt, St. Augustine, Lakeshore and two-time defending champion Bayview, which has a bye. At least one will lose on Friday, since Lincoln and Roosevelt face each other, and both St. Augustine and Lakeshore play their toughest opponents so far.
Young talent everywhere
Moss is not the only underclassman making headlines. Two sophomore quarterbacks have already thrown for more than 1,000 yards, and several freshmen are starting on defense for playoff contenders. Coaches say the region’s youth programs have improved significantly in recent years, and it is showing on Friday nights.
Weather watch
Forecasters expect clear skies and temperatures in the low 60s at kickoff, falling into the 50s by the fourth quarter. Fans should bring a jacket, especially for late games.
Key takeaway: The Iron Bell game will likely decide the district title, while Westview’s Tirell Moss is quickly becoming the most exciting young player in the region.
How to follow along
Scores update live on our high school page every Friday night from 7 p.m. You can follow individual games by tapping the match card on the live score strip at the top of our site, where you will find quarter-by-quarter scores, scoring plays and updates from our reporters.
We will publish full recaps of the Iron Bell game and the Westview matchup Friday night, along with a photo gallery and a roundup of every result in the region. On Saturday morning, look for our updated high school power rankings and our player of the week poll, where readers can vote for the standout performance of the night.
Whether you are heading to the stadium or following from home, it should be a memorable night. Bring a blanket, arrive early and enjoy one of the best traditions in American sports.
