DES MOINES, IA—The Friday night lights blaze back to life at Des Moines East High School as the Scarlets host crosstown foe Des Moines North in a Week 1 non-conference showdown. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on Friday, August 29, 2025, launching a new chapter for both programs. For the Polar Bears and Scarlets, the pristine 0-0 records represent more than just a seasonal start; they symbolize universal hope and a chance to set a powerful new tone.

What: Iowa High School Football
Who: Des Moines North vs Des Moines East
When: Friday, August 29, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Des Moines East High School
Live stream: Watch on NFHS Network

This intra-city clash lacks recent head-to-head history, making it a true mystery under the stars. Both teams enter the fray with identical blank slates: 0-0 overall, 0-0 at home, 0-0 on the road. The national and state rankings, which slot North at 223rd and East at 234th in Iowa, become irrelevant once the opening whistle blows. This game will be decided not by preseason projections, but by execution, heart, and which team seizes the moment.

Setting the Stage: A Rivalry Rekindled

While not traditionally the biggest rivalry in the capital city, any matchup between Des Moines North and Des Moines East carries significant weight. These athletes grew up competing against each other in youth leagues, and many are classmates and friends outside the white lines. That familiarity breeds a special kind of intensity.

For the home-standing Scarlets, defending their turf at Des Moines East High School is paramount. The energy of a home crowd in an opener can provide an undeniable spark, a jolt of adrenaline that can fuel a fast start. Meanwhile, the visiting Polar Bears from Des Moines North will look to harness a road-warrior mentality from the jump, aiming to silence the home stands and establish their own brand of physical football.

The non-conference status of the game allows both coaching staffs to experiment and evaluate without immediate league implications hanging in the balance. However, make no mistake: winning builds culture. The victor will gain crucial momentum and confidence that can propel them into the heart of their schedule. For a complete look at the Iowa high school football landscape throughout the season, including conference races and playoff pictures, follow all the action at HS Football Insider’s Iowa category.

Des Moines North Polar Bears: Forging a New Identity

The Des Moines North Polar Bears enter the 2025 campaign looking to build a new foundation. The past is exactly that—the past. This is a new team with new goals.

Head Coach James Davis emphasizes a culture of resilience. “Our focus is on us,” Davis said during preseason preparations. “It’s about our effort, our discipline, and our execution on every single snap. The scoreboard will take care of itself if we control what we can control.”

The Polar Bears’ offense will likely hinge on its ground game. Look for North to establish a physical presence early behind a veteran offensive line, aiming to control the clock and wear down the Scarlets’ defense. A successful run game opens up play-action opportunities, and the North coaching staff will be eager to see which playmaker emerges in the passing attack.

Defensively, the Polar Bears must be fundamentally sound. Tackling in space and winning individual matchups at the line of scrimmage will be critical against an East offense looking to make big plays. Creating an early turnover could be the key to settling nerves and swinging momentum firmly in their favor.

Des Moines East Scarlets: Home Field Advantage and Offensive Firepower

The Des Moines East Scarlets have the benefit of opening the season in front of their home crowd, a factor head coach Maria Rodriguez believes is a major advantage.

“There’s nothing like the energy of your home field on a Friday night,” Rodriguez stated. “These kids have worked incredibly hard. Now it’s time to go out there, play fast, and have fun. We want to set the tempo from the first drive.”

The Scarlet offense aims to be dynamic and unpredictable. With a mix of speed on the outside and power in the backfield, East will test the North defense horizontally and vertically. The quarterback’s decision-making will be under the microscope, as managing the game and avoiding costly mistakes is paramount in a tight contest.

Defensively, the Scarlets’ mission is simple: stop the run. If they can force Des Moines North into obvious passing situations, their athletic secondary can become playmakers. Generating a pass rush with their front four will be essential to disrupting the Polar Bears’ offensive rhythm.

Key Matchups to Watch

The outcome of this game will swing on a few critical battles on the field.

North’s Offensive Line vs. East’s Front Seven: This is the trench war. If North’s line can create push and open running lanes, they control the game’s pace. If East’s linebackers and defensive ends can penetrate the backfield and stuff plays for minimal gain, they force North into an uncomfortable one-dimensional game plan.

East’s Quarterback vs. North’s Secondary: When East takes to the air, the pressure falls on their quarterback to make accurate reads and on his receivers to create separation. North’s defensive backs must communicate effectively in coverage and capitalize on any errant throws. A single interception could be the difference in a low-scoring affair.

The Turnover Battle: In Week 1, games are often won and lost on mistakes. A muffed punt, a strip-sack, or a poorly timed interception can deflate a team and gift-wrap points for the opponent. The team that protects the football and plays a cleaner game will put themselves in an excellent position to win.

X-Factors: Special Teams and Sidelines

Beyond the offensive and defensive schemes, hidden yardage often decides close games. The special teams unit—kicking, punting, and returns—will play a massive role. A shanked punt giving North a short field or a long kickoff return setting up East in scoring position could provide the pivotal shift in momentum.

Furthermore, the in-game adjustments by the coaching staff will be crucial. How does North react if East loads the box to stop the run? How does East adjust if North’s secondary locks down their receivers? The first half is about strategy, but the second half is about adaptation.

The Bottom Line: Who Has the Edge?

On paper, this is as even a matchup as possible. Both teams have identical records, similar rankings, and no common opponents to analyze from the previous year. This game is a pure leap into the unknown.

The slight edge may go to the Des Moines East Scarlets, simply due to the energy of playing at home. The comfort of their own locker room and the support of their crowd can ease early-game jitters. However, the Des Moines North Polar Bears have the opportunity to play the role of disruptors, to come in with a nothing-to-lose attitude and unleash their game plan with full force.

Expect a hard-hitting, emotional, and potentially low-scoring game where every possession matters. It will be a contest defined by a few key plays rather than an offensive explosion.

How to Follow the Action

For live updates, scoring drives, and key highlights from this game and every other Iowa high school football showdown this season, your ultimate destination is HS Football Insider. Get real-time scores, expert analysis, and comprehensive coverage of all the thrilling action across the state.

The 2025 season begins now. For the Des Moines North Polar Bears and the Des Moines East Scarlets, it all starts under the lights. One team will leave the field 1-0, filled with promise for the weeks ahead. The other will face the first test of adversity. The journey to find out which is which begins Friday night.