The start of high school football is almost here. Some area teams kick off the season this Friday night and everyone gets going the following Friday.

While fans of each school are likely going to be attending their particular school’s games, there are some of us that may branch out and find the best games each week.

I am here to help guide you in the right direction.

I have broken down our 12 area football teams’ schedules and located some of the best and most intriguing games of the fall season.

Week Zero

Marshalltown at Ankeny – If you like offense, the Bobcats’ spread offense vs. Ankeny’s Wing T attack should be a joy to watch.

Southeast Webster-Grand at GMG – Something’s got to give in this one. GMG has a 25-game losing streak, while SE Webster has lost 45 consecutive games.

Week One

Colo-NESCO at Adair-Casey – Colo-NESCO is now in the 8-player ranks and will have to face one of the level’s best teams early on.

AGWSR at BCLUW – In a battle of two area teams, both squads are looking for turnaround seasons and a fast start to 2012. This game is key for both of those things to happen.

Aplington-Parkersburg at North Tama – The Redhawks are talking state championship in Class A. And one way to find out just how good they are is to take on one of the best programs in Class 1A.

Week Two

Waukee at Marshalltown – The fastest growing community in the Des Moines metro area is Waukee. The football program also gets better and better every year.

GMG at AGWSR – GMG coach Kyl Gillespie thought his team would have chances to end a long losing streak early in the season. One of the games he was referring to may have been this one.

Week Three

Gladbrook-Reinbeck at Iowa Valley – These two teams are both considered to be district favorites along with North Tama. This game will likely help decide the eventual champion.

Week Four

Marshalltown at Ames – This one features two of the three expected to challenge in the new CIML division race.

Iowa Valley at North Tama – The Redhawks will have another chance to prove their worth against a fellow district favorite.

South Tama at Newton – The Trojans wanted to be known as a program on the rise. Win this game, you’ll have everyone’s attention.

Week Five

West Marshall at North Polk – The two consensus district favorites will meet in a game that likely decides the district champion.

Saydel at South Tama – If STC has playoff hopes, this game against Saydel is a must-win.

Seymour at Meskwaki Settlement – The Warriors have not been around very long but Seymour has become one of the team’s biggest rivals.

Week Six

BCLUW at Grundy Center – In another matchup featuring two area teams, this game could decide a playoff spot.

North Tama at Gladbrook-Reinbeck – This game features two area teams which both expect to win the district title. To do that, a win here is a must.

Week Seven

West Marshall at East Marshall – Two area squads that face off against each other in all sports, this rivalry game is always fun to watch.

Gladbrook-Reinbeck at Grundy Center – One of the longest running rivalries in the state resumes on this night.

Moravia at Meskwaki Settlement – Meskwaki head coach Todd Dale said Moravia’s option is tough to stop. That means this game may be back-and-forth.

Week Eight

Grundy Center at North Tama – Head coach Thoren returns to the community he brought a state championship to. This time, he will be on the sidelines of his alma mater, Grundy Center.

East Marshall at Nevada – East Marshall struggled last year but this matchup against former Class 3A Nevada could be intriguing as both coaching staffs try to turn around struggling programs.

West Marshall at Roland-Story – Besides North Polk, the only other team in West Marshall’s way of another district title is Roland-Story.

Week Nine

Dowling Catholic at Marshalltown – The Maroons are the favorites on paper, but MHS head coach Dave Holdiman is hoping this matchup in the regular season finale will have some division championship meaning to it.

Grinnell at South Tama – The annual battle for the Steve Kriegel Memorial Trophy resumes in the final week of the regular season, with South Tama trying to grab hold of the rivalry prize for the first time since 2007. Grinnell has won eight of the last nine meetings with STC.