Hillsboro was the only county football team to come away with a victory their opening weekend, running up a 40-14 win at Nickerson.

The Trojans led throughout, showing off their playmaking ability early with a touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Potucek to Dillon Boldt, and a 50-yard touchdown run by Jamari Harris, both in the first quarter.

The Trojans didn’t call many plays, with just 23 snaps on offense, but managed to roll up 330 yards on Nickerson.

Hillsboro nearly maintained a consistent scoring balance throughout, posting 14 points each of the first two quarters and 12 in the fourth, but being held without points for the third.

Marion, Peabody-Burns, Centre, and Goessel opened their seasons on rough seas, as all four lost at home Friday and all but Centre were shut out.

Despite Marion’s defense surrendering 28 points to an Ell-Saline team ranked ninth in 11-man football’s Class 1A, the home team exhibited several promising signs early and headed into halftime down just 8-0.

The Warriors kept the Cardinals’ offense from scoring for nearly a half before surrendering a touchdown with four seconds left in the second quarter.

Marion regularly had players in the Ell-Saline backfield, and even blocked the Cardinals’ point-after attempt following the first-half touchdown.

Marion spoiled the Cardinals’ first two drives by forcing turnovers, first with a Will Alleven interception, and next with a forced fumble on the goal line.

The Warrior offense struggled, though, suffering a safety on its second drive, and the team’s most promising drive ended deep in Ell-Saline territory with an interception.

Goessel fared little better, as neighboring Canton-Galva hung 22 first-quarter points on the Bluebirds and held a 54-0 advantage at halftime. The game ended by way of eight-man football’s 45-point rule.

Goessel displayed glimmers of hope, but mistakes hampered the Bluebirds. They lost two fumbles, and one interception was returned for a touchdown.

Sophomore Grant Bryant threw for 28 yards and ran for 41, while Kale Funk had 35 yards on the ground. Nate Zogleman caught two passes for 26 yards as the Bluebirds gained six first downs.

Goessel will be at Herington on Friday.

Herington spent its time last week getting the better of Centre. The Cougars kept from being shut out but lost by more than six touchdowns in a 56-10 effort.

Centre trailed 14-0 after one quarter but showed some strength in the second quarter, completing four first downs

before a holding call, sack, and interception eventually sent the ball back to Herington.

Following the turnover, Centre managed to score a safety while allowing just six points for the quarter.

The Cougars’ best drive was in the third quarter when they marched down the field for five first downs. Quarterback Lane Methvin scored a touchdown from a yard out and ran in the conversion.

Peabody-Burns was another team facing a difficult test Friday, as the Warriors fell 50-0 at home to Little River.

Peabody-Burns only gave up 252 all-purpose yards, but the Warriors own struggles on offense created a litany of opportunities for the visitors.

Little River tallied six sacks, two fumbles, an interception, and 50 punt return yards, all of which put the Warriors’ defense in a difficult spot when it took the field.

Little River notched two touchdowns in the first quarter five in the second, and four conversions, to secure a 50-0 halftime lead, leading to the game being called early.