Thursday marked the moment many residents of the Mahoning Valley wait for all year - the beginning of the high school football season.
There were six games on the slate Thursday, but the biggest game of all was the big matchup between Niles and Girard. In that contest, the Red Dragons defeated the Indians, 34-13.
In other games, McDonald defeated Springfield, 13-12, Howland overcame turnovers to defeat Ashtabula Lakeside, 43-16, and Southeast extended its regular-season winning streak to 11 games by downing Newton Falls, 55-26.
Article Photos
Tribune Chronicle / R. Michael Semple
Students from Girard toss powder into the air at the beginning of the Thursday night football game between Girard and Niles at Bo Rein Stadium in Niles. From left are Frank Rich, whose chest is painted with the letter ‘‘G,’’ Emily Schmidt, Callie Jay, Michelle Irwin and Nick Krajcirik, whose chest is painted with the number ‘‘54.’’ The game was one of six games in Trumbull and Mahoning counties on the first night of high school football season in the Mahoning Valley.
The action continues tonight with the highly-anticipated debut of Warren G. Harding coach Steve Arnold as the Raiders travel to Austintown to face former Harding coach Phil Annarella and the Fitch Falcons.
Other games include John F. Kennedy at South Range and Jefferson at LaBrae.
For complete coverage of all of Thursday's games, turn to the sports section or visit underthelights.tribtoday.com.
Fact Box
Thursday scores
Howland 43, Lakeside 16
McDonald 13, Springfield 12
Niles 34, Girard 13
Marlington 10, Poland 3
Southeast 55, Newton Falls 26
Struthers 27, Campbell 20