1No problems with move

Becker and Zimmerman both have moved to the Granite Ridge Conference in the past two years and have had no problems adjusting to the league. Becker won the conference title last year while Zimmerman captured the league crown in 2011. Look for both to remain in the top half of the eight-team conference.

 

2New look to schedule

Columbia Heights will play an independent schedule as it did last season, but this year’s slate will consist of all Minneapolis and St. Paul city schools. The Hylanders will play all six St. Paul teams and two from Minneapolis (Edison and South). Columbia Heights will become a member of the Tri-Metro Conference for the 2014 season. It was previously a member of the North Suburban Conference.

 

3Top players to watch

One player from each school to keep a close eye on in 2013: Becker senior Bobby Lee (FB/LB); Columbia Heights junior David Dixon (QB/LB); Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted senior Joe Aalid (QB/LB); Rockford senior Brock Deering (QB); Spectrum senior Stefan Mayer (C/LB); West Lutheran senior Nate Kieffer (RB/QB); and Zimmerman senior Dustin Neseth (C).

RON HAGGSTROM