It's early, but bragging rights in Class 1A, Section 7 are at stake when Proctor/Hermantown travels to Hibbing/Chisholm on Tuesday for the first of their two regular-season contests.
The No. 7-1A Mirage are coming off a 4-3 loss to Hopkins/St. Louis Park last Saturday but remain a threat to advance to the Class 1A state tournament.
Proctor/Hermantown (1-1) is led by senior forward Torii Thomas and freshman defender Ella Anick. Each has two goals this season.
Hibbing/Chisholm is not featured in the top 10 rankings for Class 1A, but the Bluejackets are off to a perfect start after a 3-2 overtime win against Orono on Nov. 18. Allie Bussey tallied a pair of goals against the Spartans — including the game-winner — raising her season total to five.
A victory at home for Hibbing/Chisholm (3-0) could send a message that the race for the section title is wide-open.