Clear Lake to host Mason City in season opener

Clear Lake’s football rivalry with Mason City will resume this Friday, Aug. 30, with the Lions hosting the Mohawks in a 7:30 p.m. game.  Ninth grade teams will play at 5 p.m.  

In 2012, the Lions won bragging rights in their first meeting on the football field with Mason City after 82 years. Clear Lake broke open a scoreless game though two quarters with 34 points in the second half. 

  An estimated 6,000 fans watched the Lions post a 34-7 win at Mohawk Field. 

The first game between the two Cerro Gordo County teams took place in 1925.  That’s when Mason City’s “second team” posted a 13-7 win over the Lions.  Mason City did not appear on the 1926 or 1927 Lion schedules published in the Clear Lake Mirror or Clear Lake Reporter, but in 1928 a large front page headline in the Clear Lake Reporter proclaimed: Lions Best Mason City Mohawks 7-6; Local Line Strong-- Breaks Decide Game-- Mohawks Line Crushed.

The Mohawks got their revenge in 1929 and 30 with lopsided victories.

The demise of the Clear Lake vs. Mason City rivalry was not discussed in the local newspapers. The two teams simply did not meet again on the gridiron until 2012.

At this year’s game, Clear Lake fans are being asked to wear black or a specially designed  game shirt to the game.  Contact Clear Lake High School to order a $10 game shirt (payment due at time of order).

Clear Lake football fans are also reminded that the sophomore team will travel to Mason City Thursday, Aug. 29, game time is 6 p.m.