The Rugby High School football team is looking for a crisper start to the season this year. The Panthers travel to Larimore on Friday in a rematch of last season’s opener, which the Polar Bears won 13-7.

The Panthers gave up an early kickoff to the 2-yard line and Larimore scored shortly after.

“Hopefully we’re ready for that,” RHS senior lineman Reid Mundahl said. “We gotta make sure we’re ready for that first play.”

Mundahl said Larimore formed a wedge on the return and RHS failed to take on the blocks and instead ran around the wedge.

RHS coach Scott Grochow is confident in his team’s abilities and is pleased with their attention to detail through the first two weeks of practice.

“You come out there and try to find your way so you’re ready when the conference season comes and know where you’re at.”

Grochow is working on play on both sides of the line and expects Larimore to be tough on the ground with three returning linemen and a running back.

The Panthers are led by all-state quarterback Brad Heidlebaugh. A top threat is speedy receiver and all-region selection Tanner Bernhardt.

“I expect them to be really athletic and really explosive,” Larimore coach Paul Peterson said. “We had a really close football game last year and I look for it to be much the same.