Melrose at Sauk Centre
6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 22

Sauk Centre and Melrose have a long rivalry. The two schools are separated by just eight miles on Interstate 94 and often play three times per season with two games in West Central Conference play and another looming in the Class 2A, Section 6 playoffs. 

That was the case last season, as the Dutchmen took two of three from the Mainstreeters, including one in section play en route to the Class 2A state tournament title. 

Melrose may have caught fire in the postseason, but Sauk Centre captured the league title last year.

The Mainstreeters (9-5, 6-1), however, currently trail the No. 4-2A Dutchmen (13-1, 7-0) by one game in the conference standings, making this a big game with section and league implications.