The Grand Meadow football team is as healthy as it’s been all year and it’s playing the best football it’s played all year as it heads to No. 1 Spring Grove with the Section 1 nine-man title on the line Friday at 7 p.m.

The No. 2 Superlarks (8-2 overall) lost 42-12 the first time they played the Lions (10-0 overall), but GM head coach Gary Sloan is hoping things will be different this time around.

“We had scouted them before that game and then they started using stuff we’ve never seen before,” he said. “Now we’ve seen that, although I’m sure they’ll have some more new stuff.”

Since that loss, the Larks have won four straight games, including a playoff win over Mabel/Canton, which beat GM in the regular season. The Larks won all four contests by at least two scores.

“I like our chances (against Spring Grove),” Sloan said. “We’re playing significantly better than we were a month ago.”

While the Larks had their whole lineup on the field in the first matchup against the Lions. A few of their players were adjusting to new positions or fighting through health issues.

Sloan was also still working in some of his younger players as his team starts just two seniors.

“This is the youngest starting lineup I’ve ever had,” he said. “This is a big game and it will be a good experience for everybody.”