East Grand Forks Sacred Heart first-year coach Drew Mortenson isn't sure what to expect from Waubun, his matchup in tonight's season opener.
The Bombers are a non-conference opponent going through a coaching change.
That leaves it tough for the longtime Eagles assistant to predict what will happen at 7 tonight at Senior High field, but Mortenson has seen promising indications from his team.
The Eagles went through four scrimmages at last weekend's Top of the State jamboree in Argyle, Minn.
"I was impressed with a lot of things we did both offensively and defensively," Mortenson said. "I didn't know what to expect there, but it was everything we could have hoped for and plus."
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The coach was particularly pleased with the play of his linebacker corps, led by seniors Corey Roach and John Melin.
"Defensively, we looked very good," Mortenson said. "That's as good as we've looked defensively. They came out and gang-tackled.
"Our linebackers are tough. They've both been around and played significant time for us."
Mortenson wasn't concerned that the Eagles don't have much info on the Bombers, who went 6-5 last season.
"It's the first week of the season, anyway," Mortenson said. "We have enough to work on the way it is. We found out some of their base offense and what they do defensively, but for the most part we don't know much about them."
Central at Minot
After giving up 61 points and 533 yards of total offense in a Week 1 loss to Mandan, Grand Forks Central coach Bill Lorenz wants to focus on limiting big plays this week against Minot.
"Minot's doing some different things offensively, spreading the field a little more," Lorenz said. "They've got speed on the perimeter. They've added that little dimension and it's something we have to prepare for and try to contain."
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Minot showed off big-play ability last week in a 31-0 win over Fargo North, a playoff team last season. The Magicians were paced by quarterback Alex Yanosko's 125 passing yards and Adam Melom's 111 rushing yards.
Lorenz said the focus this week has been on tackling.
"We were in the right position at times last week, and we were poor fundamentally," Lorenz said. "We're spending time this week trying to get better at that."
Senior linebacker Tyler Haug led the Knights' defense last week with eight tackles, including two for loss.
Jamestown at Red River
Grand Forks Red River's season-opening loss to Williston last week was summed up by coach Vyrn Muir in one word.
Frustrating.
The Roughriders lost 19-14, fumbled in the red zone in the fourth quarter and gave up about 200 yards on four plays defensively.
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"We were able to move the ball around; we just couldn't score," said Muir, whose team will host Jamestown at 7 tonight at Cushman Field. "We have to finish inside the 20."
The Blue Jays are coming off a lopsided loss to Devils Lake at home last week.
"They had a couple of big turnovers that Devils Lake scored off of," Muir said. "Jamestown still runs the veer option. It's a special preparation for that because you don't see it much anymore. That option scares you."
Dilworth-G-F at Senior High
East Grand Forks Senior High football coach Scott Oliver said he was able to confirm what he already expected about his team when the Green Wave participated in a scrimmage last weekend.
"We got a look at a lot of different players," Oliver said. "We are what we are: young and inexperienced."
The new-look Green Wave, who graduated 23 seniors and lost quarterback Gage Ausmus to hockey opportunities, will take on an experienced Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton team at 7 p.m. Friday at Senior High field.
"(D-G-F) returns just about everyone," Oliver said. "They're big, strong and physical."
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D-G-F, which finished second in its section last season, defeated the Green Wave 18-0 last year.
"The thing we're stressing is to just get better," Oliver said. "We're trying to improve on what we saw Saturday, and I think we've been able to do that."
This weekend's GGF games
- Waubun (0-0) at Sacred Heart (0-0), 7 tonight.
- Central (0-1) at Minot (1-0), 7 p.m., Friday.
- Jamestown (0-1) at Red River (0-1), 7 p.m., Friday.
- Dilworth-G-F (0-0) at Senior High (0-0), 7 p.m., Friday.
Miller reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1121; (800) 477-6572, ext. 121; or send e-mail to tmiller@gfherald.com .
