High school football: Ogden/Ben Lomond rivalry highlights games

Purely from a statistical point of view, the annual Iron Horse game between Ogden and Ben Lomond isn't the biggest rivalry game in the state of Utah.

But according to Ogden coach Eric Eyre, when you look at it pound-for-pound with other big rivalries in the state, Ogden-Ben Lomond matches up with anything.

"Obviously the scale of these things is relative to the community, and I don't know that we have the numbers of some of those other communities and games," said Eyre. "But as far as the intensity of the rivalry, I haven't been involved in one that has the level of intensity of this one. ... It's a real big-time rivalry."

Ogden, 3-0 for the first time since 1975, will make the 2.5-mile bus ride up Harrison Boulevard to square off with Ben Lomond (1-2) at 7 p.m. Friday in what will be the 61st edition of the Iron Horse game.

Ogden leads the all-time series, 41-19, but the Scots had won three in a row before Ogden beat them, 20-19, in an epic Week 10 encounter last fall.

Because the UHSAA moved Ogden up to 4A for the current realignment cycle, however, tonight's game will take place six weeks earlier in the season and will be a non-region game.

Rest assured, though, that it still means as much to both sides.

In the case of Ogden, the Tigers have raced to a 3-0 start for the first time in three decades behind the stellar play of quarterback Nik Allred and his terrific supporting cast. They can't wait to show Class 4A what they can do once region play begins next week, but they're wholly focused on the big rivalry game this week.

"The reality of it is we are looking to do more things than just beat Ben Lomond, and so we don't bank on this as our season," said Eyre. "But there still isn't any love lost and we definitely mark our calendars and wanna win this ball game. ... I know it means a lot to a lot of people."

To get a W on Friday, there's no question that Ogden will look to Allred to lead the way.

At 6-foot, 175 pounds, he isn't the biggest quarterback in the state, and with a 4.8 40-yard dash in tote, he definitely isn't the fastest.

But Allred can flat-out play football. He's been terrific at times to lead Ogden to its lofty 3-0 start, and he's fast developing a reputation as one of the most exciting football players in the entire state.

What's made him so solid?