The road to the Dakota Bowl isn’t traveled on I-94. It’s blazed on the gridiron. And for many area teams, the journey starts tonight. Schools are wasting no time providing fans a playoff atmosphere with heavyweight matchups that will test if projections on paper are reality on the field. Among the marquee matchups are:

Velva/Drake – Anamoose/Garrison @ Hazen

7 p.m.

The 11A defending state champions have a new head coach in Matt Weidler, who takes over for legendary coach Larry Sandy. Quarterback Ben Schepp returns for the Aggies who will travel to Hazen for a week one matchup. The Bison saw a streak of 17 consecutive playoff berths snapped last year. Nothing would help put that campaign behind them like a win over Velva.

Bishop Ryan @ Langdon

7 p.m.

Coy Okerson will anchor Bishop Ryan’s offense line for the final time this year before heading off to NDSU to play for the Bison. Like Velva, the Lions have a new coach in Eric Knutson, but return key components of their offense such as QB Jett Lundeen and running back Drew Zwak. Bishop Ryan visits Langdon in a rematch of last year’s opener, which saw the Cardinals leave Minot 50-20 victors.

Des Lacs-Burlington @ Dickinson Trinity

7 p.m.

In another pivotal opening week matchup, Des Lacs-Burlington will travel westward to take on fourth-ranked Dickinson Trinity. The Titans set the tone early in last year’s opener, sinking the Lakers 36-0 on their way to the Class B Quarterfinal.

Southern McClean at South Prairie-Max

7 p.m.

South Prairie-Max is the lone area school who open the season at home. The Royals will need a positive start if they hope to progress as a program in the ever-tough Region 3. However, the team is becoming more experienced with each passing year, and the players want at least the fourth-seed in the playoffs. Southern McClean is coming off a two-win season, with the only wins coming against Belfield and South Prairie.

Surrey at Tioga

7 p.m.

Surrey begins their nine-man schedule with a trip to Tioga. The Mustangs are looking to make the playoffs for their seventh straight season and improve on last year’s trip to the state quarterfinals. The Pirates went to the playoffs as well, and they will be looking for a little bit of revenge after Surrey knocked them off 34-28.