President Bowl launches new rivalry format this year. Here's a closer look at the two matchups.

For the first time, the Presidents Bowl at Howard Wood Field on Saturday will just be Sioux Falls public schools — and there will be four of them.

After Sioux Falls Jefferson's addition to the Sioux Falls public school landscape last year, the President's Bowl moved to a four-game format featuring eight of nine 11AAA teams. This year, the 31st edition of Sioux Falls public schools' biggest fundraiser is moving back to its old format.

But with four public schools and a new set of traveling trophies for "bragging rights," each game will work to enhance the already-present in-town rivalries.

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For the participating coaches, the switch it a return to an event that they have a strong connection with. Roosevelt head coach Kim Nelson has coached in all of them ("Sorry about that," he joked). Washington head coach Ryan Evans was born in Centerville, South Dakota and would drive the 35 miles to Sioux Falls to watch the games. Jefferson head coach Vince Benedetto, who grew up in Illinois, remembers visiting his cousins and attending the President's Bowl when he was 9-years-old.

"I remember a few years later Friday Night Lights, the movie, came out," Benedetto said. "And they're talking about Texas football and I'm like, 'No, no, guys. South Dakota football.'"

Here's what to know about each game ahead of the 31st President's Bowl Saturday.

Sioux Falls Washington vs. Sioux Falls Roosevelt

Where: Howard Wood Field

When: 3:30 p.m.

Neither Washington nor Roosevelt expected (and, of course, wanted) to enter the Presidents Bowl 0-2. But ahead of their matchup in the early game Saturday, both teams are looking for ways to bounce back.

Both teams are coming off their most difficult games of the season, too. The Warriors lost 49-0 to No. 1 Jefferson and Roosevelt lost 62-27 to O'Gorman after going to the half down 42-14. When the Rough Riders got to halftime, Nelson said it's not "'hey fellas, here's how we're gonna win this game.'" Because, Nelson said, they probably knew they wouldn't. But it was about how Roosevelt would finish.

Nelson thinks they finished well, and Washington head coach Ryan Evans, with his team in a similar position, thinks his team's attitude has been great, too. Evans said when the Warriors returned on Tuesday following Labor Day weekend they had "their best practice all year."

Roosevelt has as young a team its had in a while, but has seen wide receiver John Parker emerge with junior quarterback Jackson Brouwer and linebacker-tight end Tayden Nave among the talented returning juniors playing alongside seniors defensive back Mason DeSchepper and defensive end Ty Naaktgeboren.

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Washington is in a similar spot, playing younger players such as sophomore quarterback Tommy Hoffman, but defensive players Abraham Myers, Mandala Mohammed and Chase Gunderson give the Warriors a talented group of leaders to build throughout the season with.

"Last year, (Nelson) got up here and his team was kind of in a similar fashion. I don't know if anybody remembers a year ago, but Coach Nelson coaches those kids up and they were playing lights out at the end of the year," Evans said. "So we have our work cut out for us."

Sioux Falls Jefferson vs. Sioux Falls Lincoln

Where: Howard Wood Field

When: 7 p.m.

Jefferson and Lincoln's matchup should be perhaps the most anticipated President's Bowl game in quite some time. The Cavaliers are No. 1, which head coach Vince Benedetto said he doesn't like. "I don't like the hype around us because we have a lot of work to do," Benedetto said. But the hype, thus far, has been warranted.

Jefferson has won by a combined 79 points in its first two games of the season against Harrisburg and Washington. Cavaliers quarterback Taylen Ashley, who left Saturday's win over the Warriors with an injury, was only kept out as precaution and will be back for Saturday's nightcap. In addition to what he and wide receiver Griffin Wilde have done, running back Nelson Wright has continued to thrive at his new school, and the Cavaliers' defense has allowed just 13 points all season with players like London Kolb and Beau Giblin playing just one side of the ball this year due to more returning experience.

Lincoln head coach Jared Fredenburg said Jefferson has been his "No. 1 (ranked team) all the way through (the preseason and early season)." Lincoln, however, certainly won't be easy for the Cavaliers. In fact, Jefferson might be an opportunity for the Patriots to show perhaps they belong not just in the top-5, but in the top-2 of Class 11AAA. After a still-dominant yet slower-developing season-opening win against Roosevelt, the Patriots finally broke out against Rapid City Central, getting ahead early and winning 56-14.

The Patriots defense was great, as always, with seniors in defensive end Sam Hindbjorgen and linebacker Gabe Gutierrez leading, but the quarterback matchup between Lincoln junior Tate Schafer and Ashley (with Schafer surely getting wide receivers Jack Smith and Isaac Jawrovski involved) will be one to watch for. Both teams will be challenged in this game, and it should be close.

"This game against Jefferson is gonna be a real good measuring stick for us," Fredenburg said.

Follow Sioux Falls Argus Leader reporter Michael McCleary on Twitter @mikejmccleary.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: A look at each President's Bowl South Dakota high school football game