Alexandria at Moorhead
7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 28

Familiar rivals face off in an early season meeting as Alexandria travels to Moorhead. The teams have met six times in the last three seasons, with the Spuds winning every game. 

Alexandria enters as the underdog, but has shown signs it's building the program. The Cardinals finished with 5-5 record last year after posting a pair of two-win seasons. They also showed poise in a 44-38 loss to Monticello in Week 1. Alexandria erased a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit to tie the game with less than four minutes to play, only to have the Magic score the game-winning touchdown with 12 seconds remaining.

Cardinals junior quarterback Jaran Roste scored his four touchdowns during the second-half rally.

The Spuds are also coming off a strong defensive performance in a 26-16 victory at St. Michael Albertville. Moorhead forced nine turnovers, serving notice it could be a Class 5A contender after defeating the Knights.