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Duluth Denfeld improved to 3-0 on Thursday night with a 56-0 high school football nonconference victory over Pine City at Public Schools Stadium. The Hunters will host Duluth East on Friday, Sept. 20.
"We wanted to come out fast and overwhelm Pine City, which we did," said Hunters coach Erik Lofald. "Taye Manns put on a show and proved he is the best football player in the area scoring on a pick six on Pine City’s opening drive. He had over 250 yards rushing and five TDs. Our defense wanted to make a statement and posted the shutout. Now we are on to a showdown with Duluth East for the city championship. We are taking them very seriously no matter the outcome tonight. They will have our full attention."
Manns, the unanimous 2024 HowieHanson.com Preseason Player of the Year, said the Hunters are determined to pressure defenses by employing a physical running game led by a big, powerful and talented offensive line.
"The goal is to take it to the house on every touch," he said. "I just follow my blockers, who continue to open large holes for our runners. The major goal for our team is to make it to state."
Hunters junior quarterback Lee Brooks said he's not surprised by the team's unbeaten start, which includes an ultra-elite offense and an improving defensive.
"We're a brotherhood, lifting up everyone," he said. "We're very dynamic on offense. What more can we say about Taye? He's my boy."
THURSDAY RESULTS
Volleyball
Hermantown 3, Hibbing 0
Superior 3, Duluth Denfeld 1
Grand Rapids 3, Duluth East 2
Proctor 3, Cloquet 2
Football
Duluth Denfeld 56, Pine City 0
Girls Soccer
Esko 2, Hermantown 1
Duluth Marshall 1, Grand Rapids 1
Cloquet-Carlton 6, Two Harbors 0
Duluth Denfeld 3, Hibbing 0
Boys Soccer
Duluth Marshall 11, Proctor 0
Duluth Denfeld 1, Superior 1
Cloquet-Esko-Carlton 2, Duluth East 1
FRIDAY EVENTS
Football
Duluth East at Cloquet, 7 p.m.
Hermantown at North Branch, 7 p.m.
Grand Rapids at Rock Ridge, 7 p.m.
Mora at Esko, 7 p.m.
Proctor at Hibbing, 7 p.m.
International Falls at Mesabi East, 7 p.m.
Pequot Lakes at Two Harbors, 7 p.m.
Crosby-Ironton at Moose Lake-Willow River, 7 p.m.
