PLEASANT HILL — The Fort Dodge wrestling team will step into the deep waters in their first dual of the season.

The eighth-rated Dodgers (IAWrestle) travel to face No. 1 Southeast Polk on Thursday. Junior varsity action begins at 6:30 p.m., with varsity to follow.

“We are eager to get out and compete,” said FDSH head coach Bobby Thompson. “We have been working hard in practice for a couple of weeks.

“It’s time to go.”

The defending Class 3A state champion Rams have seven wrestlers in IAwrestle’s initial rankings, while the Dodgers debut with four.

“We are a good, young team with some experience,” Thompson said. “We are going to be thrown right into the deep end.”

Junior Dru Ayala, who was a state runner-up a year ago, is the top-ranked wrestler at 113 pounds for FDSH. Two-time place-winner Max Bishop is fifth at 120, a year after placing fourth at state.

Fort Dodge sophomore Koy Davidson, a runner-up last season, is second at 138 pounds behind only University of Iowa recruit Ryder Block of Waverly-Shell Rock.

“This will be a good test right out of the gate,” Thompson said. “There are definitely some big, toss-up matches to watch.”

Junior Damarion Ross (152) is rated third for the Dodgers, coming off his second state appearance.

Carter Pearson (No. 1 at 106), Nate Jesuroga (No. 1 at 126), Logan Trenary (No. 4 at 132), Brent Slade (No. 3 at 170), Holden Hansen (No. 10 at 182), Harrison Gibson (No. 4 at 195) and Cooper Martinson (No. 9 at 285) are all ranked for Southeast Polk.

The Fort Dodge girls will compete in the Dan Gable Donnybrook in Coralville on Thursday and Friday, while the Dodgers will wrestle in Coralville on Friday and Saturday.

PROBABLE DODGER LINEUP

106 — Sam Davidson, fr., (0-0); 113 — Dru Ayala, jr., (0-0); 120 — Max Bishop, sr., (0-0); 126 — Kane Butrick, jr., (0-0); 132 — Rylee Brown, fr., (0-0); 138 — Koy Davidson, so., (0-0); 145 — Bo Cowell, jr., (0-0); 152 — Damarion Ross, jr., (0-0); 160 — Jesse Egli, fr., (0-0); 170 — Mason Liska, so., (0-0); 182 — Cal Hartman, jr., (0-0); 195 — Dreshaun Ross, fr., (0-0); 220 — Collin Munter, sr., (0-0); 285 — Keaton Nichols, sr., (0-0).