PLEASANT HILL — This is the week every high school wrestler looks forward to as the path toward state glory begins.

The Fort Dodge wrestling team opens postseason action in a Class 3A regional dual here on Wednesday night. The 14th-ranked Dodgers face No. 17 Dallas Center-Grimes, with the winner squaring off against second-rated Southeast Polk for a spot in the state dual tournament.

FDSH and the Mustangs will wrestle at 6 p.m. The winner faces the Rams at approximately 7:30 p.m.

The Dodgers placed eighth at duals a season ago. Southeast Polk was the 3A runner up to Waverly-Shell Rock.

The main focus for Fort Dodge is on Saturday when they host a 3A district meet.

“Our main motivation will be this weekend,” said FDSH head coach Bobby Thompson. “We’re going to do what’s best for our kids and the program. We are getting ready for districts.

“We are mending some injuries right now. This will be a key rest period for some of our guys.”

Fort Dodge enters the meet with five rated wrestlers. Sophomore Dru Ayala (106) and freshman Koy Davidson (126) are both ranked second.

Junior Max Bishop (113) is third, while sophomore Damarion Ross (138) is fifth and senior Ben Egli (182) is fourth.

Davidson is still out with an injury.

Ranked wrestlers for DC-G are Ayden Beck (No. 10 at 106), Jacob Fistler (No. 7 at 152) and Connor Pertzsch (No. 10 at 182).

Southeast Polk has 11 rated athletes. Brothers Nate Jesuroga (126) and Joel Jesuroga (145) are No. 1 for the Rams.

Carter Pearson (No. 3 at 106), Ryker Graff (No. 10 at 113), Logan Trenary (No. 7 at 120), Cooper Hanson (No. 6 at 132), Carter Martinson (No. 2 at 152), Carson Martinson (No. 2 at 160), Brent Slade (No. 5 at 170), Harrison Gibson (No. 7 at 182) and Andrew Reed (No. 3 at 195) are the other main SEP competitors.

PROBABLE DODGER LINEUP

106 — Dru Ayala, so., (36-2); 113 — Max Bishop, jr., (23-9); 120 — Kane Butrick, so., (17-7); 126 — Raily Merida, so., (1-0); 132 — Gavin Doebel, so., (7-16); 138 — Damarion Ross, so., (26-6); 145 — Tyler Kasperbauer, sr., (6-22); 152 — Mason Liska, fr., (7-25); 160 — Cal Hartman, so., (23-16); 170 — Orion Larson-Trott, jr., (17-21); 182 — Ben Egli, sr., (28-12); 195 — Kaden Lynch, sr., (12-14); 220 — Connor Ely, jr., (4-10); 285 — Keaton Nichols, jr., (23-15).