LIMA — The Benjamin Logan girls golf team was fifth of 11 teams with a team score of 356 at the Lady Thunderbird Invitational at Lost Creek Golf Club on Saturday. Sydney Wesson carded a 79 to lead the Raiders and place sixth overall. Mailiis Simovart added an 81, followed by Leeah Valentine with a 91 and Taylor Lafferty with …

COLDWATER — Kenton coach Brent Fackler said before the season began that the Wildcats offense would be dependent on how well their offensive line could protect their quarterback. On Friday night, that proved to be a prophetic statement - and unfortunately not in a positive way - as Wildcats quarterback Blaine Huston was sacked eight times in a 42-7 loss to host Coldwater.

A dominant first half on both sides of the ball by the Hardin Northern Polar Bears helped them on their way to a 48-26 victory over Arcadia in Friday’s non-conference season opener. The Polar Bears, who finished last season 4-6 overall, have embraced the underdog role, their coach Travis Rettig said, and they’re off to a fast start to the season.

ADA — Unable to slow down the rushing attack of New Bremen, the Ada Bulldogs dropped their season opener at home 51-21 on Friday night. The Cardinals racked up 420 yards and six touchdowns on the ground against the Ada defense.

RIDGEWAY — The Ridgedale Rockets defeated the Ridgemont Golden Gophers 30-0 in Friday’s season-opening, non-conference football contest. Statistics from the game were not available at presstime.

McGUFFEY — Upper Scioto Valley’s defense held strong against Springfield Catholic Central in Friday’s non-conference football game, giving up just one touchdown while racking up 38 points for the 38-6 victory on opening night.

NORTH LEWISBURG — After getting off to a fast 19-0 start in the first quarter, the Benjamin Logan Raiders allowed Triad to close back in at halftime, holding on to a 25-20 lead Friday night. The Raiders buckled down in the second half and outscored the Cardinals 25-0, opening their season with a 50-20 non-conference victory.

MOUNT BLANCHARD — Riverdale hung tough with rival Arlington early in head football coach Dr. Britton Devier’s debut game, but Arlington pulled away in the second half to easily defeat the Falcons 46-7 Friday in a Blanchard Valley Conference game.

It’s been a longer than usual training camp for area teams, but the area football season finally kicks off on Friday night. And as has been the case for nearly two decades, Kenton and Coldwater will open the season against each other as the Wildcats go on the road to meet the Cavaliers.

The 2018 season was a rare one for Hardin County football teams as not one of the seven high school teams in the Times coverage area made it to the state playoffs. Area teams will look to begin rectifying that on Friday night when the high school football season kicks off.