The Highland Huskies get their football season underway tonight with a week 0 contest when they host North Mahaska.

Highland ended last season with a 5-4 overall record, including winning three of their final four games in 2016. Offensively, Highland averaged 311 yards and 30 points per game a year ago while surrendering 20 points per game defensively.

Individually, through the air the Huskies will have to replace quarterback Jake Wood lost through graduation. Wood was 103 of 184 a season ago for 1,203 yards, 15 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. Highland’s top two receivers have also moved on with Trent Lasek and Chase Rath combining for 869 yards and nine touchdowns. Trey Lasek is the leading receiver from last year with eight catches for 90 yards and two scores. On the ground Highland returns leading rusher Trey Lasek who finished last season with 799 yards and eight touchdowns. Defensively, the Huskies will be without their top three tacklers from a season ago in Bill Burton, Johnny Poeschel and Matt Hoenig. Brady Hahn is the leading returner, ending 2016 with 29 total stops.

North Mahaska finished last year with a 4-5 overall record. The Warhawks averaged 11 points per game a season ago while surrendering 19 points per contest. North Mahaska won three of their final four contests in last year’s campaign.

Individually, the Warhawks were led by Ben Sherburne who returns for his senior season after going 44 of 95 for 453 yards, four interceptions and two touchdowns last year. The Warhawks lost their top six wide receivers to graduation.North Mahaska also graduated their top three rushers from last season who combined for more than 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns. The North Mahaska defense is also young, losing four of their top five tacklers from last season to graduation.

These two teams last met in 2007 with North Mahaska scoring a 45-13 win. Action begins tonight at 7:30 at Highland High School.