Upsala/Swanville Area at Browerville
7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 23

The rivalry between Upsala/Swanville Area and Browerville/Eagle Valley has heated up as both have experienced recent successes.

The Patriots reached the Class 1A state tournament in 2013 and 2014 while the Tigers earned a bid last year and in 2012.

But there's more to the feud. Browerville ended a three-game skid a year ago with a 19-7 victory over Upsala/Swanville Area in a clash of ranked teams.

And this season, both are ranked again.

The No. 7-1A Patriots (2-1, 1-1) may have the higher position in the poll -- for now. Upsala/Swanville is likely to drop this week after falling to Parkers Prairie 32-21 last Friday.

Despite graduating a large group of seniors, the Tigers (3-0, 2-0) are undefeated and have climbed to No. 4 in the Class 1A rankings.

Defense will definitely the key in this matchup, as both teams feature versatile offenses led by senior quarterbacks -- Myron Ripplinger for Upsala/Swanville Area and Bryce Irsfeld for Browerville.