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(NewsDakota.com) After a 2016 season which failed to produced a victory, the Oakes High School football team is attempting to continue the growth they saw in the second half of last season in Class 9-Man this year.

Greg Dobitz is back as head coach, and in his 7th year, he is handing the reigns of the offense to freshman Garrett Meehl, who will make his first varsity start Friday at Hankinson. Garret’s older brother Bryce was an all-state quarterback, was the Class A Senior Athlete of The Year, and now plays the position at Concordia in Moorhead, Minnesota. 

The Tornadoes do have their linemen back for another season, as well as some key playmakers. Dobitz talked with KDDR’s Jason Metko about the season.

Friday’s contest between Oakes and Hankinson starts at 7 p.m. Coverage on KDDR-AM 1220/95.9 FM and NewsDakota.com starts at 6:30.