Bragging rights and a trophy are on the line when a pair of rated teams clash tonight as class 1A seventh rated St. Ansgar visits class 2A sixth ranked Osage. This will be the second straight 2A rated foe for St. Ansgar. The Saints opened top ranked in 1A but fell to number five Gilbert in their season opener.

St. Ansgar coach Drew Clevenger says they didn’t bring back a lot of starters, but have good numbers in the upper classes and have high expectations. Clevenger says they want to use this game against the 2A team as a springboard into district play.

Clevenger says the rivalry between the two programs has grown over the years, going back into the 1970’s. A local company sponsors a traveling trophy for the winner of the game.

Osage opened last week with a hard fought victory over Charles City. Osage coach Lon Lawler says they may not have any outstanding players, but they do have enough good players that they should be able to compete. A traveling trophy is normally reserved for rivalries in college and Lawler says it has added a lot to this one. Lawler says they’ve been able to build the rivalry and everyone plays hard until the game is over, and they wish each other luck.

He says the ultimate goal is to see both teams in the playoffs.