Devils Lake is back to where it started.
The Firebirds, ranked No. 4 preseason by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association, rose back to No. 4 in the latest poll released Monday.
Devils Lake had been unranked after a 35-0 loss to No. 1 Kindred to open the season. The Firebirds got back in the top five after beating then-No. 3 Central Cass.
Now, after beating Wahpeton 50-44 on Friday, they’re back to No. 4.
Devils Lake’s offense has come alive since that shutout to Kindred. It’s a much more run-heavy offense than last year, but Egan Laite exploded for 380 yards over 35 carries last Friday. Devils Lake is 2-1, having won two straight games.
Grand Forks Central had been tied with Dickinson for No. 3. The Knights fell to No. 5 after Dickinson beat them 28-12.
Kindred was named the unanimous No. 1 for the second straight week. Kindred, Minot North and Dickinson are the only undefeated teams left in Division AA, each with a 3-0 record. Devils Lake is the highest-ranked team that’s lost a game in Division AA.
Central Cass is the lone unranked team receiving votes.
The Firebirds travel to Fargo South (0-3) on Friday to complete their non-region schedule.
They will be hosting No. 2 Minot North on Oct. 9 and traveling to No. 3 Dickinson on Oct. 16 as part of their region slate.
Division AA
- Kindred (17) – 85 points (Previous: 1)
- Minot North – 64 points (Previous: 2)
- Dickinson – 55 points (Previous: T3)
- Devils Lake – 25 points (Previous: 4)
- Grand Forks Central – 14 points (Previous: T3)
Received votes: Central Cass