DES MOINES, IA – The lights at Mediacom Stadium will blaze to life Friday night, August 29, 2025, as a classic Des Moines crosstown rivalry renews itself. The Lincoln Railsplitters make the short journey to face the Roosevelt Roughriders in a highly anticipated Week 1 non-conference battle. Both teams enter the fray with pristine 0-0 records, their national and state rankings yet to be tested, and the promise of a new season hanging in the crisp autumn air. Kickoff is set for 7 PM.

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

For fans of Iowa High School Football, this matchup is more than just a game; it’s a tradition. It represents the heart and soul of the community, where pride is on the line every single snap. For the latest on this and all other Iowa High School Football events, follow our dedicated coverage at HS Football Insider.

A Tale of Two Programs

While the records show a blank slate, a deeper look at the preseason rankings hints at the potential narrative for this contest. Roosevelt enters the 2025 campaign holding a slight edge in the eyes of pollsters. The Roughriders boast a national ranking of 7,825, slotting them at 167th in Iowa and 32nd in their class. This positioning suggests a level of respect for the returning talent and system under Head Coach Mark Johnson.

Lincoln, never a program to be overlooked, starts the year ranked 10,518th nationally, 230th in the state, and 35th in their class. The Railsplitters, under the guidance of Coach David Smith, are known for their gritty, physical brand of football. They will be looking to use this opening game as a statement opportunity, a chance to immediately outperform those preseason projections and set a new tone for their season.

Both teams share identical stat lines for now: 0-0 overall, 0-0 at home, 0-0 on the road, with zero points for and zero points against. But that sterile symmetry will be shattered the moment the opening kickoff sails through the night sky.

Keys to the Game: Lincoln Railsplitters

For Lincoln to travel back across town with a victory, they must establish their identity early. Expect the Railsplitters to lean heavily on a ground-and-pound offensive approach. Their success will hinge on the performance of their offensive line, a unit that must create running lanes and control the tempo of the game. If Lincoln can sustain long, clock-chewing drives, they can keep Roosevelt’s potentially explosive offense watching from the sideline.

Defensively, the Railsplitters’ front seven faces a significant challenge. They must contain Roosevelt’s offensive weapons and apply consistent pressure on the quarterback. Disrupting the timing of the Roughriders’ attack will be paramount. Tackling in space, a fundamental often tested in early-season games, will be a major point of emphasis for Coach Smith’s squad.

Keys to the Game: Roosevelt Roughriders

Roosevelt’s path to victory lies in leveraging their team speed and athleticism. The Roughriders will likely look to spread the field, utilizing a quick-passing game and designed plays to get their playmakers into open space. Their offensive success may depend on the rhythm of their quarterback and the ability of his receivers to win one-on-one matchups on the outside.

On the other side of the ball, Roosevelt’s defense must prove it can stand firm against Lincoln’s anticipated rushing assault. The defensive line and linebackers need to be disciplined in their gaps and relentless in their pursuit. Winning first and second down, forcing Lincoln into obvious passing situations on third and long, would allow Roosevelt’s pass rushers to pin their ears back and attack.

The X-Factor: Week 1 Unknowns

The great equalizer in any season opener is the element of the unknown. Both teams have spent the summer in camps and scrimmages, but nothing replicates the speed and intensity of a full-speed, regular-season game under the Friday night lights.

Which team has better conditioned athletes? Which squad will be more disciplined, avoiding the costly pre-snap penalties and turnovers that often plague teams in their first outing? Which coach has devised the more effective game plan? These unanswered questions will ultimately write the story of this game. The team that adjusts quicker to the live action and makes the fewest mistakes will seize control.

The Stadium Atmosphere

Mediacom Stadium, the iconic venue for this clash, provides the perfect backdrop for high school football. The energy from the student sections—one cheering for the Railsplitters, the other for the Roughriders—will create an electric atmosphere. For the seniors on both sides, this game marks the beginning of their final chapter, adding an extra layer of emotion and intensity to every play.

Looking Ahead

While this is a non-conference game, its implications are significant. A win provides immediate momentum and confidence, a building block for the rest of the season. For the victorious team, it’s proof that their offseason work has paid off. For the other, it’s a quick lesson in what needs to be improved before diving into the heart of their schedule.

It’s worth noting that these two teams share common opponents later in the season, facing off against Ottumwa and Des Moines East. The performance in this opener will offer a fascinating early point of comparison when those games arrive.

Final Thoughts and Prediction

The Lincoln vs. Roosevelt rivalry rarely disappoints. With bragging rights and early season supremacy on the line, both teams will leave everything on the field. Roosevelt’s slight ranking advantage and home-field status make them a narrow favorite on paper. Their offensive versatility could be the difference in a tight game.

However, Lincoln’s physical style is perfectly suited to disrupt finesse and test a team’s resolve in Week 1. If the Railsplitters can impose their will, they are more than capable of pulling off the road upset.

In what promises to be a hard-fought, defensive battle early on, look for Roosevelt’s offense to eventually find a rhythm in the second half. The difference will be a key turnover or a special teams play that swings momentum decisively.