For Mansfield, this ranks as big challenge

Mike Redding has prepared his team every way he can for tonight. Mansfield has hit the weight room, watched tape, and hit the bright green turf on which it will play its home opener against Dartmouth, the Division 1 power that fell to Everett in overtime in last year's Super Bowl.

Dartmouth and Mansfield took part in last weekend's Hockomock Jamboree. Mansfield beat Foxboro, and Dartmouth lost to North Attleboro.

Redding hopes that what his team has seen of Dartmouth in person and on tape will give it the knowledge necessary to come out on top in the nonleague game. Win or lose, Redding said, playing a great team like Dartmouth will get Mansfield ready for Hockomock League play this year.

"The kids will be a little more comfortable on their own field," Redding said.

Mansfield has a young squad after graduating more than 30 seniors, including 10 starting offensive and seven starting defensive players. The Hornets, who finished No. 9 in last year's Top 20, enter the 2008 season ranked No. 10. Dartmouth finished in the No. 2 spot in 2007 and is at No. 2 heading into tonight's game.

Dartmouth coach Richard White hopes to minimize mistakes and not turn the ball over, but knows perfection in an opener - against Mansfield - will be difficult to attain.

"We're excited to play [Mansfield]," White said. "They're a great team. We got a chance to see them play in the jamboree and they looked very good. It should be a good game."

Discipline and strong play by its offensive line are essential for Mansfield, according to Redding.

"The secondary has to not come up on runs too quick, or else they're going to throw the ball behind [it]. Defensively [the team] is just going to have to trust each other."

Keep an eye on Mansfield's Dan Glavin, the only Hornet to play on both the offensive and defensive lines. Greg DiPietrantonio is an impact player, at running back and linebacker, as is quarterback Jeff Mallett, who also plays free safety.

After sitting out last week's jamboree, captains Sean Sylvia and Chris Toole will join Arthur Lynch-Fontaine on the field for Dartmouth. Left tackle Toole and tight end Lynch-Fontaine also play on the defensive line. Sylvia uses his speed and precision at quarterback to spark Dartmouth's attack. Last fall, Sylvia earned All-Scholastic honors after throwing for eight touchdowns and finishing third in the division with 99 points.

The eighth-ranked Brockton Boxers (0-1) are looking to bounce back tonight against visiting BC High after losing their opener to Dracut . . . No. 1 Everett (1-0) travels to Leominster tonight to face the Blue Devils . . . Mayflower Large champion Blue Hills hosts Mayflower Small champ West Bridgewater this afternoon.

For the new Globe Top 20, go to Boston.com/schools