Skip to content

Sports Notebook: This Week's Prep Football Openers

Northeast Red favorite Hermantown will open the 2024 season Friday night at home against neighborhood rival Proctor, in the annual Hammer Game.

Hermantown vs. Duluth Denfeld, 2023. Howie / HowieHanson.com

Table of Contents

Note: Sports Notebook is powered by Perrault Construction, the trusted roofing, siding and window company in Duluth.

Thursday

Duluth East at Esko, 6 p.m.

Cook County at Mountain Iron-Buhl, 6 p.m.

Barnum at Moose Lake-Willow River, 7 p.m.

Chisholm at Aitkin, 7 p.m.

Rock Ridge at Hibbing, 7 p.m.

Grand Rapids at Pine City, 7 p.m.

Mesabi East at South Ridge, 7 p.m.

Carlton-Wrenshall at Verndale, 7 p.m.

Duluth Denfeld at Mora, 7 p.m.

Friday

Ely at International Falls, 6 p.m.

Proctor at Hermantown, 7 p.m.

Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin at Mille Lacs, 7 p.m.

Bigford at Littlefork-Big Falls, 7 p.m.

Two Harbors at Cloquet, 7 p.m.

McGregor at Cromwell-Wright, 7 p.m.

Today's Prep Events

Girls Soccer

Hermantown at Duluth Marshall, 4 p.m. Match Notes: The Hawks (0-1-1) tied visiting North Branch 1-1 on Thursday and lost 3-2 at Zimmerman Friday. Junior Cambriia Thomas has been sensational in goal for Hermantown. The Hilltoppers are 1-1-0.

Boys Soccer

Duluth Marshall at Hermantown, 4 p.m. Match Notes: The Hawks lost their 2024 season opener at Benilde-St. Margaret’s, 3-2, Thursday. The Hilltoppers are 1-1-0, with an 8-0, season-opening home victory against Spectrum on Friday and a 6-0 home loss to Two Rivers Saturday.

"I like our squad," said Hermantown head coach David Thompson. "We are pretty balanced in all areas of the field. Owen Landrigan is getting lots of offensive chances up top as an attacker. Our back line is solid, anchored by Gabe Wiita at center back. Our inside midfield is talented and hard-working featuring Evan Ogston, Graff Mellin and Hunter Nelson. And we have a young but athletic and intelligent goalkeeper in sophomore Ethan Aysta. This week we play two conference games against Marshall and Proctor. I am excited to see how we perform in these important matches." 

Volleyball

Esko at Hermantown, 7 p.m. Match Notes: The Hawks defeated host Duluth Marshall 3-0 in both team’s season opener Thursday. Esko (1-0) defeated visiting Hibbing 3-0 Friday.

Comments

Latest

Stella Maris cross country grows to 37 runners as Gilbertson brothers set the pace

DULUTH — Stella Maris Academy’s largest cross country team is giving coach Elizabeth Nygaard reasons to look forward to October. With 37 runners, a promising group of young varsity competitors and three seniors representing the program’s growth, the Sentinels are preparing for their first Polar League conference meet and

| 2-minute read
Members Public
Grandma’s Marathon registration opens Oct. 1 after record sellouts

Grandma’s Marathon registration opens Oct. 1 after record sellouts

DULUTH — Registration for the 2027 Grandma’s Marathon weekend opens at 7 p.m. Central time Thursday, Oct. 1, with organizers urging runners to prepare for another fast sellout after record demand for the event’s 50th anniversary races. The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon and William A. Irvin 5K each

| 3-minute read
Members Public
Built to contend: Bulldogs bring veteran firepower, national expectations into season opener
Bulldogs senior defenseman Aaron Pionk. Howie / HowieHanson.com

Built to contend: Bulldogs bring veteran firepower, national expectations into season opener

DULUTH — Minnesota Duluth enters the 2026-27 men’s hockey season with the reigning Hobey Baker Award winner, an experienced core that came within one victory of the Frozen Four and a national ranking that places the Bulldogs squarely among college hockey’s leading contenders. The rebuilding has produced a

| 8-minute read
Members Public