Sports Notebook: This Week's Prep Football Openers
Northeast Red favorite Hermantown will open the 2024 season Friday night at home against neighborhood rival Proctor, in the annual Hammer Game.
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Thursday
Duluth East at Esko, 6 p.m.
Cook County at Mountain Iron-Buhl, 6 p.m.
Barnum at Moose Lake-Willow River, 7 p.m.
Chisholm at Aitkin, 7 p.m.
Rock Ridge at Hibbing, 7 p.m.
Grand Rapids at Pine City, 7 p.m.
Mesabi East at South Ridge, 7 p.m.
Carlton-Wrenshall at Verndale, 7 p.m.
Duluth Denfeld at Mora, 7 p.m.
Friday
Ely at International Falls, 6 p.m.
Proctor at Hermantown, 7 p.m.
Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin at Mille Lacs, 7 p.m.
Bigford at Littlefork-Big Falls, 7 p.m.
Two Harbors at Cloquet, 7 p.m.
McGregor at Cromwell-Wright, 7 p.m.
Today's Prep Events
Girls Soccer
Hermantown at Duluth Marshall, 4 p.m. Match Notes: The Hawks (0-1-1) tied visiting North Branch 1-1 on Thursday and lost 3-2 at Zimmerman Friday. Junior Cambriia Thomas has been sensational in goal for Hermantown. The Hilltoppers are 1-1-0.
Boys Soccer
Duluth Marshall at Hermantown, 4 p.m. Match Notes: The Hawks lost their 2024 season opener at Benilde-St. Margaret’s, 3-2, Thursday. The Hilltoppers are 1-1-0, with an 8-0, season-opening home victory against Spectrum on Friday and a 6-0 home loss to Two Rivers Saturday.
"I like our squad," said Hermantown head coach David Thompson. "We are pretty balanced in all areas of the field. Owen Landrigan is getting lots of offensive chances up top as an attacker. Our back line is solid, anchored by Gabe Wiita at center back. Our inside midfield is talented and hard-working featuring Evan Ogston, Graff Mellin and Hunter Nelson. And we have a young but athletic and intelligent goalkeeper in sophomore Ethan Aysta. This week we play two conference games against Marshall and Proctor. I am excited to see how we perform in these important matches."
Volleyball
Esko at Hermantown, 7 p.m. Match Notes: The Hawks defeated host Duluth Marshall 3-0 in both team’s season opener Thursday. Esko (1-0) defeated visiting Hibbing 3-0 Friday.