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(NewsDakota.com) – The 2014 football season begins tonight for the Jamestown Blue Jays when they welcome in the Grand Forks Central Knights. The Jays made the playoffs a season ago with a record of 6-3 and got off to a great start with a win over Central in Grand Forks.

Jamestown won that game 46-12 behind 270 yards from all-state running back Taylor Orr, but he of course has graduated. The Jays will now rely on Scott Nelson and Ben Hanson to be the lead backs while Ross Monson returns under center. Monson had a solid junior season throwing for over 1,000 yards.

Defensively, head coach Tim Fletcher has to replace eight starters including a very deep and talented linebacking corps. The first move was to shift Logan Anderson from defensive end to outside linebacker. Anderson had a big year as a sophomore and will be counted on for more this season.

The run to the playoffs in 2013 ended a five-year hiatus for the Jays, who saw their season end at the hands of eventual champion, Fargo South in the state quarterfinals.

Jamestown will play another non-conference opponent next week when they go on the road to West Fargo Sheyenne before opening up conference play against Minot on September 12th.