Kade Fee/Photo by Noah Clooten
For the first time this season, the Devils Lake football team is ranked in Division AA.
After beating Valley City 27-12 on the road last Friday, the Firebirds came in at No. 5 in the latest NDAPSAA poll.
They totalled 18 points, trailing fourth-place Dickinson’s 40. Grand Forks Red River remains at No. 1 with 18 of the 22 first-place votes, with the remaining four going to Jamestown — Devils Lake’s next opponent.
In third place stands West Fargo Horace.
Devils Lake was unranked preseason, but did receive at least one vote. The Firebirds did not receive any votes after their 34-27 loss to Central Cass that began the season, but they did receive a vote after winning their home opener against Watford City.
Devils Lake is coming off of back-to-back 3-6 seasons and hasn’t had a winning season since 2017. One more win this fall would tie its win total in each of the last two seasons.
The Firebirds are led by junior quarterback Mason Palmer, junior running back Bryar Exner and senior wide receiver Oliver Wirth, among others.
No. 5 Devils Lake (2-1) will travel to play No. 2 Jamestown (2-0) on Friday at 7 p.m. The Firebirds’ next home game is scheduled for Sept. 27 against Wahpeton.
