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CITY  (NewsDakota.com)–The annual “Pigskin Preview” football publication favored Oakes and Carrington in it’s predictions, but placed Jamestown and Valley City at or near the bottom of their collegues in predicitng results for the 2012 season.

Oakes was picked to top “A” Region I football by the publication, topping expected strong seasons from Linton-H-M-B and Milnor-North Sargent.  The Tornadoes were second in the coaches’ poll conducted by the publication.

Carrington grabbed the top coaches’ pick in the “AA” Region II (western division) poll, and was selected the top team to beat by the Preview.  Carrington will be playing it’s final season of “AA” football, before moving to “A” next season.

Valley City received a playoff-appearance prediction by the Preview, but not the the coaches.  The Preview has the Hi-Liners fourth in “AA” Region I (eastern division), while the coaches have them sixth.  Jamestown was selected seventh in “AAA” west-region play by both the coaches and the magazine.  

Among the other area teams, Griggs-Barnes County was selected seventh, and Lisbon eighth, in “AA” Region I by both the coaches and Preview.  Maple Valley-Enderlin was picked fourth by the coaches and fifth by the Preview in “A” Region I.  Harvey-Wells County was picked tops in “A” Region II by both the coaches and Preview.

LaMoure-Litchville-Marion was picked fourth by the coaches and third by the Preview in 9-man Region I play.  Sargent Central was sixth in the Preview poll, seventh among the coaches.  Edgeley-Kulm was fifth in the Preview poll, but eighth among the coaches.  Ellendale was ninth in both polls.  New Rockford-Sheyenne was tied for third in the coaches’  9-man Region II poll, fourth in the Preview poll.  Finley-Sharon/Hope-Page was seventh in both polls.

Play begins Tuesday with 9-man teams getting started.  LaMoure-Litchville-Marion hosts Strasburg-Zeeland, Edgeley-Kulm hosts Richland, Sargent Central hosts Napoleon-Gackle-Streeter and Ellendale plays at Hankinson.  Many of those teams play again Saturday, August 25th.

Most other area teams open Friday, August 24th.  Jamestown opens at Devils Lake, Valley City opens at Carrington, Griggs-Barnes County plays at Maple Valley-Enderlin, Lisbon hosts Milnor-North Sargent, Oakes opens at Britton, SD, Harvey-Wells County travels to Rugby, and Finley-Sharon/Hope-Page hosts New Rockford-Sheyenne.