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(NewsDakota.com) The 2013 football season commences Friday night in Britton, South Dakota for Oakes High School as they take on the Braves of Britton-Helca.

The visiting Tornadoes are coming off a 2012 campaign which saw them fall short of clinching a playoff spot. Many of the same young men who were a part of that team, as well as the previous season in which the Tornadoes came up just short of advancing to the  final four teams in Class A, are back again for this season.

As far as Britton-Hecla, the school district recently decided to drop down in classification to 9-man football for this season; against the wishes of the South Dakota High School Activities Association. The Braves will be competing in an independent schedule for 2013.  When Oakes is on offense Friday night, B-H will play 11 men on the field. When the Tornadoes are on defense, they will only play with nine.

Kickoff has also been pushed back one hour to 8 p.m. due to the warm temperatures experienced in the area the past week. Coverage on KDDR-AM 1220 and NewsDakota.com will start at 7:30.