First-ever Franklin County football showdown set for Sept. 11

HAMPTON – Never before has Hampton, Hampton-Dumont nor Hampton-Dumont-CAL faced off with Sheffield, Sheffield-Chapin, SCMT or West Fork in football.

All of that changes on Friday, Sept. 11 when West Fork comes to Hampton for this non-district gridiron game, announced officially on Thursday, March 26 when the Iowa High School Athletic Association released 2020 schedules.

It provides some extra incentive for West Fork coach James Perez, an H-D grad.

“Very excited,” Perez said of his thoughts on the game, “it will be a big game for us. Looking forward to it.”

And second-year Bulldog head coach Andy Bruemmer is aware of Perez’s prowess when he was a three-year starter for the Bulldogs.

“Absolutely, I see his picture in the Iron Dog (competition) and all-state (INA 3A second team) in the weight room,” Bruemmer said. “I’ve heard some stories. He was a very good player and I’m excited because he seems to be an exceptional coach. Hopefully, it will be a good coaching match-up. I’ll have to hold up my end of the deal. I’m excited about our schedule. We have really good non-district games to play.”

Both coaches said it was a game they wanted to arrange.

“We’re excited about that,” Bruemmer said. “I emailed and texted with James, we put each other down (as preferences with the state). They put us at three or four (preference) and we gave them (three or four), and lo and behold, the state gave it to us. It is season No. 2 in the program. The athletes we have are getting a little better every time we meet.”

Perez added, “It’s something that we wanted to make happen; got that on the schedule and go from there. Andy reached out to me and we are not the kind of team to back away from a challenge. It’s a rivalry to get going.”

A lot of new teams to the Bulldogs, but not necessarily Bruemmer, are part of the 2020 schedule, including Roland-Story, West Marshall, Aplington-Parkersburg and Oelwein, the latter a non-district tilt.

“They called and wanted to put us down on the list, and we agreed to it,” Bruemmer said of Oelwein. “Officially, I’m excited about it. Last year was a down year, but they have been good in the past, programs with tradition, they can turn themselves around very easily. We have to prepare as hard as we did last year. Work just as hard, if not harder and be better than we were last year.”

District-wise, Bruemmer said that West Marshall will be the team to beat in the district, the Trojans are the first district game for the Bulldogs.

“We knew our district six months ago,” Bruemmer said. “I like our district, it’s a good district. It’s teams we’ve played in the past, Forest City, Clear Lake, Iowa Falls. Two that I’ve had familiarity with: Roland-Story and East Marshall. I believe R-S is getting a new coach, and Clarion, too has a new coach. Clarion is game No. 1, so it is hard to prepare for everything.

The Warhawks end the regular season with an old, familiar foe in North Butler, which has returned to Class A after splitting with Clarksville.

“I like our schedule,” Perez said. “(West Fork athletic director) Alex (Brayton) did a great job of setting us up. It’s a great schedule and see what happens.

“We just have to do our thing and play our game and good things will happen. If we stray from that, have issues. We must play like we did the last seven games, and we’ll be okay.”

Bruemmer expressed a little frustration mixed in with the excitement of a new schedule.

“It will be a fun new year for us,” Bruemmer said. “I’m excited to get through the social distancing era we’re in. It drives me crazy that I can’t be with the athletes, helping them get better and faster and stronger. Right now, we’ll stay with the no group (guidelines).”

Bulldog 2020 Football Schedule

Aug. 28– at Clarion-Goldfield-Dows

Sept. 4– at Oelwein

Sept. 11– vs. West Fork

Sept. 18– vs. Aplington-Parkersburg

Sept. 25– at West Marshall, State Center

Oct. 2– vs. Iowa Falls-Alden

Oct. 9– at Clear Lake

Oct. 16– at Roland-Story

Oct. 23– vs. Forest City

West Fork 2020 Football Schedule

Aug. 28– vs. Belmond-Klemme

Sept. 4– at North Union

Sept. 11– at Hampton-Dumont

Sept. 18– vs. Central Springs

Sept. 25– vs. Mason City Newman

Oct. 2 – at St. Ansgar

Oct. 9– vs. Nashua-Plainfield

Oct. 16– at Lake Mills

Oct. 23– vs. North Butler

AGWSR 2020 Football Schedule

Aug. 28– vs. Central City

Sept. 4– at Northwood-Kensett

Sept. 11– at Clarksville

Sept. 18– vs. Janesville

Sept. 25– at Turkey Valley

Oct. 2– vs. North Iowa

Oct. 9– at Rockford

Oct. 16– vs. Tripoli

Oct. 23 – at Riceville