The high school football season shifts into high gear tonight with a handful of rated matchups. In class A eighth-ranked and defending state champion Manning opens with several new starters and a tough assignment at top ranked Treynor. Manning coach Floyd Forman says he hopes their feet are back on the ground after last year, as they’re playing what is probably the top team in their class. Forman says he’ll know a lot more about his team after this game. He says injuries to key kids have left them with a lot of question marks heading into the game. Last year Manning lost to Treynor 27-0 in the opener but ran the table from their enroute to the state title. He says the senior class knew after the loss that their backs were to the wall and he says they set their jaws and were determined and got it done.West Des Moines Valley won last year’s 4A state title and the Tigers open this season against Des Moines Hoover. Valley coach Gary Swenson says they’re proud of what they accomplished, but he says there are a lot of new players that have to forge their own identity. Standout running back Jason Scales returns but Swenson says several new faces will be trying to pave his way after they lost four of their five offensive linemen. A pair of highly ranked teams will get an early test as class 3A third ranked Mount Vernon visits class2A third ranked Solon. Solon coach Kevin Miller says this kind of test will be a good way to open the season. He says they have respect for Mt. Vernon and his team will have to come out and play hard and execute.
