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CITY  (NewsDakota.com)–Region I (eastern division) “AA” football looks to be every bit as strong and balanced as it was a year ago, and the journey through it for the Valley City Hi-Liners starts tonight.

The Hi-Liners face Wahpeton at Hanna Field tonight, one of the contenders for a Region I crown this season, and a team with a solid record of wins early in 2012.

The Huskies are 2-0, with a 30-26 win over Bismarck St. Mary’s to start the year, then a 38-7 pounding of crosstown-rival Breckenridge last week that ended non-conference play. 

Tyler Grippentrog leads a talented Huskie rushing attack, racking up 185 yards this season.  Hi-Liner head coach Scott Roehrich says Grippentrog is impressive, but the challenge tonight will be won up front.

While Grippentrog grabs headlines, receiver/runner Alex Lunneberg has racked up impressive numbers, with 190 yards receiving and another 150 on the ground through two games.  Those numbers are key, considering Valley City was hurt by the passing of game from Dickinson Trinity last week, something Roehrich had his team working on this week.

Adding to the adjustments in the cover scheme is the loss of Jory White at corner for the Hi-Liners.  White sustained a hip injury last week, and will be replaced by Kyle Knutson, who will play both ways this week.  Dereck Durheim also enters the secondary at a safety position.

The Hi-Liners are 1-0 after a 28-18 win over Dickinson Trinity last Friday night.  Anthony Olstad and Brandon Breckheimer each had over 100 yard rushing nights, and quarterback Austin Svenningson hit tight end Tayler Lentz on two scoring tosses.

Gametime is set for 7:00 p.m.  Pregame coverage begins at 6:05 p.m. on KOVC-AM 1490.