The opening week of high school football is here, highlighted by notable performances across local teams. Chillicothe started strong, defeating Circleville 34-0, while Southeastern鈥檚 Brayden Burns led his team to a 28-0 triumph over Fairfield Christian, throwing for 203 yards and three touchdowns. Despite Huntington鈥檚 28-27 overtime loss to Newark Catholic, they showed resilience, erasing a 14-point deficit. Other standouts included Zane Trace鈥檚 Brice Johnson with 220 yards and five touchdowns, and Piketon, who crushed Northwest 41-0. Freshman Marshay McKinley made waves for Chillicothe, contributing with four receptions for 92 yards in his debut.

By the Numbers
  • Brayden Burns: 4-of-7 passing for 203 yards, 2 TDs + 57 rushing yards, and 3 interceptions.
  • Zane Trace鈥檚 Brice Johnson: 220 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns on 22 carries.
State of Play
  • Chillicothe ranks at the top of the local standings after their dominant win.
  • Unioto and Piketon both secured victories, showcasing strong offensive performances.
What's Next

Chillicothe will face Wheelersburg next, a key matchup given Wheelersburg's strong performance in their previous game. This clash will serve as a significant measure of Chillicothe's prospects for the season.

Bottom Line

The high school football season kicked off with exciting action and standout individual performances, setting the stage for a competitive year. Fans should keep a close eye on teams like Chillicothe and individuals like Brayden Burns and Brice Johnson as they look to build on their impressive starts.