MURRAY, IA – The Friday night lights flicker to life for the first time in 2025 as the Southeast Warren Warhawks travel to face the Murray Mustangs in a highly anticipated non-conference showdown. This Week 1 matchup, scheduled for Friday, August 29 at 7:00 PM at Murray High School, pits two programs with pristine 0-0 records and championship dreams against one another in a classic Iowa high school football opener.
What: Iowa High School Football
Who: Southeast Warren vs Murray
When: Friday, August 29, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Murray High School
Live stream: Watch on NFHS Network
For fans, players, and coaches alike, this game is more than just a line on the schedule; it’s the first true test of mettle, a chance to set the tone for the entire campaign. Both teams enter the fray with identical blank slates, but by the final whistle, one will emerge with a crucial early-season victory and a surge of momentum.
The Matchup: Warhawks Soar into Mustang Territory
The Southeast Warren Warhawks, hailing from Liberty Center, make the trip to Murray with a singular focus: start fast. As a consolidated district, the Warhawks have built a reputation on a cohesive, hard-nosed brand of football. While the 2025-26 roster is untested in live action, head coaches have spent the entire offseason instilling discipline and refining a game plan built on physicality.
Their opponent, the Murray Mustangs, is ready to defend their home turf. There’s nothing quite like opening the season in front of a home crowd, and the Mustangs will look to harness that energy from the opening kickoff. Murray’s strategy often revolves around a balanced offensive attack and a swarming defense designed to create turnovers. For a complete look at how this game fits into the Iowa high school football landscape, be sure to visit HS Football Insider’s Iowa category for ongoing coverage and analysis.
This non-conference battle is a critical early test for both squads. It’s an opportunity to evaluate new personnel, experiment with play-calling in a live environment, and see how the team responds to adversity. The result will provide a valuable benchmark for the rest of the season.
Breaking Down the Teams: A Tale of Two Blank Slates
Analyzing two 0-0 teams is a unique challenge. Without current-season game film, the focus shifts to program history, offseason developments, and the strategic philosophies that define each team.
Southeast Warren Warhawks (2024 Record: N/A)
The Warhawks enter the new season with a point to prove. The numbers tell a simple story: 0-0 overall, 0-0 at home, 0-0 on the road. But within those zeros lies immense potential. The offense will look to establish the run game early, controlling the clock and wearing down the Mustangs’ defense. Defensively, Southeast Warren will aim to be disruptive at the line of scrimmage, forcing Murray into obvious passing situations. The key for the Warhawks will be to shake off any early-season rust quickly and execute their assignments with precision from the very first snap.
Murray Mustangs (2024 Record: N/A)
The Mustangs, playing with the confidence that comes from a home opener, will look to make a statement. Their identical 0-0 record is a canvas, and Head Coach is ready to paint a masterpiece. Murray’s success has historically been fueled by a strong home-field advantage and a disciplined approach to the game. Expect them to test the Warhawks’ secondary with a mix of play-action passes and quick screens, while their defense focuses on containing the perimeter and shutting down Southeast Warren’s ground attack. The team that wins the turnover battle and minimizes penalties will likely find itself in the driver’s seat.
Key Storylines and What to Watch For
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Quarterback Play: In any season opener, the performance of the starting quarterback is paramount. Which signal-caller will settle their nerves first and make the smart, game-managing decisions? The QB who can effectively move the chains and avoid costly mistakes will provide his team with a significant advantage.
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Trench Warfare: Games are often won and lost at the line of scrimmage. The battle between the Warhawks’ offensive line and the Mustangs’ defensive front will be one of the most critical matchups to watch. Which group can establish dominance and control the pace of the game?
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First-Game Jitters: It’s the first game of the year. Mistakes are inevitable. The team that can overcome early penalties, missed assignments, and nervous energy the fastest will gain a crucial upper hand. Mental toughness will be just as important as physical preparedness.
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Special Teams X-Factor: In what projects to be a tight, hard-fought contest, special teams could easily decide the outcome. A clutch field goal, a momentum-swinging punt return, or a pinned deep punt could be the difference between 1-0 and 0-1.
How to Catch All the Action
For those unable to make the trip to Murray High School, you won’t have to miss a single snap. The Southeast Warren vs. Murray game will be broadcast live on the NFHS Network.
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How to Watch: Visit NFHSnetwork.com and search for “Murray Mustangs” or “Southeast Warren Warhawks.”
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Tip: Sign up early to ensure you’re ready for the 7:00 PM kickoff.
The NFHS Network provides a fantastic way for family, alumni, and dedicated football fans across the state to support their teams live.
The Bigger Picture: A Launchpad for the Season
While this is a non-conference game, its importance cannot be overstated. For both Southeast Warren and Murray, a victory provides more than just a mark in the win column; it builds confidence, validates months of hard work, and creates positive momentum heading into the heart of the schedule.
This game also serves as a valuable preview of challenges to come. Later in the season, both teams will face common opponents like Lenox and Moravia. Their performance in this opener will offer clues about how they might stack up in those future contests. For a full schedule of these upcoming Iowa clashes, check out the Iowa high school football page on HS Football Insider.
Final Predictions and Atmosphere
The atmosphere at Murray High School promises to be electric. There’s a unique buzz in the air for the first football game of the year—a sense of optimism and community spirit that only high school sports can provide. Both student sections will be in full voice, creating a memorable backdrop for this gridiron clash.
Predicting a winner between two teams with identical records and no head-to-head history is a difficult task. This game will likely be a defensive struggle early, as both teams feel each other out. The outcome may hinge on a single big play—a long touchdown, a critical fourth-down stop, or a game-changing turnover.
One thing is certain: both the Southeast Warren Warhawks and the Murray Mustangs will leave everything on the field. They have waited all offseason for this moment.
Mark your calendars for Friday, August 29, at 7:00 PM. Whether you’re in the stands at Murray or watching live online, this is Iowa high school football at its purest: two communities coming together to cheer on their sons, brothers, and classmates as they embark on a new journey. Don’t miss a second of the action.
