Hawley vs. 

Mahnomen/Waubun

7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 30

Mahnomen/Waubun, a newly formed co-op, will waste little time testing its combined power early this season. Part of that test will be against a Hawley team that won nine games last year, including a 60-28 win over Mahnomen, before falling 29-22 in the Class 2A, Section 8 title game to Barnseville.

The Thunderbirds (1-0) flexed their muscles last Friday, defeating Ada-Borup/Norman County West — who advanced to the Class 1A state semifinals last fall — 30-14.

And the co-op, thus far, has proven successful, with  quarterback Parker Syverson (from Waubun) taking on a more dynamic playmaking role. The senior hauled in a 25-yard touchdown pass and rushed for 141 yards and a TD in the Zero Week win.  

The Nuggets are poised for another strong season, but they'll have to do it -- at least temporarily -- without star quarterback Jacob Vetter, who was knocked out of the second half of last season's section title game after suffering a major knee injury. He's expected to return midseason, so look for senior Chase Libak to lead the offense to start the year.