CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – Under the bright Friday night lights of Kingston Stadium, two Iowa high school football teams with starkly different opening-week narratives are set to collide. The Washington Warriors, fresh off a statement road victory, host the North Scott Lancers, a proud program eager to erase the memory of a difficult start to the 2025 campaign. This non-conference showdown, kicking off at 7:15 PM on Friday, September 5th, presents a classic early-season test of resilience versus momentum.

What: Iowa High School Football
Who: North Scott vs Washington
When: Friday, September 5, 2025
Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
Where: Kingston Stadium
Live stream: Watch on NFHS Network

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Week 1 Hangover or Wake-Up Call? North Scott Seeks Answers

The North Scott Lancers (0-1) enter this contest with a singular focus: redemption. Their season opener against a formidable Xavier squad was a tough outing, resulting in a 31-0 defeat. The shutout loss, played at a neutral site, exposed some early-season offensive struggles that Head Coach Kevin Tippet and his staff have undoubtedly spent the week addressing.

The numbers from Week 1 are stark. The Lancers’ offense, which averaged over 28 points per game in 2024, was held off the scoreboard entirely. The defense, meanwhile, surrendered 31 points. For a program accustomed to competing at a high level—ranked 5th in their class and 19th overall in the state—the performance was an anomaly they are desperate to correct.

The key for North Scott will be establishing rhythm. The offense needs to find its playmakers and sustain drives to give its defense a respite. Look for the Lancers to simplify their game plan, focusing on a strong ground attack and high-percentage passes to build confidence. Defensively, they must find a way to contain a Washington offense that proved it can put points on the board in a hurry. The Lancers cannot afford to let this early stumble define their season; a strong response on the road against a 1-0 team would be a powerful message to the rest of Iowa High School Football.

Warriors Riding High: Washington Aims to Protect Home Turf

In direct contrast, the Cedar Rapids Washington Warriors (1-0) are buzzing with confidence. They kicked off their season with a hard-fought, high-scoring 35-21 victory on the road. That win immediately equalled their total from the entire previous season and has injected a new sense of belief into the program.

Washington’s offense was firing on all cylinders, demonstrating a balanced and potent attack that averaged 35 points in their opener. Their scoring was consistent across all four quarters—7.0 points in Q1, 14.0 in Q2, 7.0 in Q3, and 7.0 in Q4—showing they can score early, answer out of halftime, and close out games. That kind of relentless production will be a nightmare for any opponent if they can maintain it.

However, Head Coach Maurice Blue will be cautioning his team against any complacency. While the offense shined, giving up 21 points indicates there are still gaps to plug on the defensive side. The Warriors will be looking to make a statement in their 2025 home debut. Protecting Kingston Stadium and starting the season 2-0 would be a monumental step forward for a program on the rise. They currently sit at 124th in the state rankings, and a win against a highly-ranked opponent like North Scott would see them rocket up those lists.

Key Matchups and Players to Watch

The outcome of this North Scott vs Washington battle will likely hinge on a few critical individual and unit matchups.

• Washington’s Offensive Rhythm vs. North Scott’s Defensive Pride: How will Washington’s multi-faceted offense, which moved the ball at will in Week 1, fare against a North Scott defense that is embarrassed, angry, and hungry to prove their first game was a fluke? The Lancers’ defensive line must pressure the Warriors’ quarterback and disrupt the timing of their offense to force punts and create turnovers.

• North Scott’s Offensive Line vs. Washington’s Front Seven: The Lancers need to establish the run game to control the clock and the tempo. This battle in the trenches is paramount. If Washington’s defensive front can stifle the run and force North Scott into obvious passing situations, they could replicate the success Xavier had. Conversely, if North Scott’s line can open up running lanes, it will open up their entire playbook.

• The Turnover Battle: This age-old adage rings especially true in this game. North Scott, seeking to right the ship, must protect the football. A costly interception or fumble could shatter their fragile confidence. Washington, playing with house money and confidence, will be flying to the ball looking to create game-changing takeaways.

X-Factors: Intangibles That Could Decide the Game

Beyond the Xs and Os, several intangible factors will play a significant role.

• Mindset: Washington is playing with confidence and the excitement of a home opener. North Scott is playing with a chip on its shoulder. Which mentality will prove stronger under pressure?

• Adjustments: The team that makes the best halftime adjustments will have a huge advantage. How will North Scott adapt if their initial game plan isn’t working? How will Washington respond if North Scott’s defense comes out with a new, aggressive look?

• Special Teams: In what is projected to be a closely contested game, a big kick return, a blocked punt, or a missed field goal could provide the decisive swing in momentum.

The Verdict: What to Expect

This North Scott vs Washington game is a fascinating study in contrasts. On paper, North Scott’s state ranking (19th vs. 124th) suggests they are the superior team. But football isn’t played on paper; it’s played on the field, and Week 1 momentum is a powerful force.

Expect a physical, emotional, and hard-hitting game. North Scott will come out with fire, looking to land an early punch and quiet the home crowd. Their season may feel like it’s on the line already. Washington, however, has tasted victory and will not want to let it go easily. They believe they can win.

The Warriors’ consistent offensive production gives them a solid floor. If their defense can rise to the occasion and contain a desperate Lancer offense, they have a real shot to pull off what some might consider a mild upset. However, the talent and coaching pedigree at North Scott cannot be ignored. Adversity often reveals a team’s true character.

This game will likely be closer than the Week 1 scores might indicate. Look for a lower-scoring, defensive struggle in the first half as both teams feel each other out. The team that wins the turnover battle and makes the key play in the fourth quarter will ultimately walk off the Kingston Stadium field victorious.

One thing is certain: this is a can’t-miss matchup in the world of Iowa High School Football. It’s a perfect example of why we love high school sports—the passion, the unpredictability, and the sheer will to win are always on full display.

For live updates, scores, and more from this game and all the other exciting action across the state, stay locked into our coverage of Iowa High School Football.