Oak grove-park christian
- LAST YEAR: 7-3 overall, 6-1 Region 1 (2nd place)
The Grovers need to replace just two starters on defense and three on offense.
However, one of those losses may be tough to fill. Fargo Oak Grove lost its top rusher and top receiver from last year in speedy wing back Luke Hvidston, a shifty playmaker.
"We feel good that as a collective group coming back that we have a good enough backfield," Oak Grove head coach Kyle Bakken said. "It's tough to replace a guy like Luke."
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Junior back Peter Hvidston, Luke's brother, ranked second on the team in rushing last year. In addition, senior fullback Levi Arneson, who missed four games last year, should also add juice on offense.
"We think we still have some of that explosiveness," Bakken said. "He's not that traditional fullback pounder."
Outlook
The Grovers appear poised for another winning season with hopes of advancing deep into the North Dakota Class 2A playoffs.
On defense, the Grovers return their front seven and their two cornerbacks. On offense, Oak Grove returns four of its five interior linemen and both tight ends. Quarterback Logan Chase is a second-year starter.
"I think all those pieces are pretty exciting for us," Bakken said. "We are not starting from scratch. The kids have worked pretty hard this offseason."
Oak Grove has made the playoffs the past four seasons and are in solid position to make it five straight.
"We're kind of building off last year and that was sort of a surprise," said Bakken, in his fifth season as head coach. "Last year was a pleasant surprise with how the kids gelled."
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Schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Saturday at Kindred 7 p.m.
Aug. 30 Fargo South JV 7 p.m.
Sept. 7 at Devils Lake 7 p.m.
Sept. 14 Valley City 7 p.m.
Sept. 21 Rugby 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 Grafton 1 p.m.
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Oct. 5 at Bottineau 7 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Carrington 7 p.m.
Oct. 16 Central Cass 7 p.m.
