Futbol Friday Night done right by area schools

BELLVILLE - The stands at Lexington High School were packed.

And across the way at Clear Fork High School, soccer was on full display as well.

Friday Night Futbol got some much-deserved attention in the spotlight as area soccer teams kicked off their seasons. This time, instead of Friday night lights featuring helmets cracking, pads popping and touchdowns, there were precision kicks, headers and goals scored.

Everyone always says football runs everything in Ohio High School sports. But Friday night, soccer was the main attraction in a state-wide effort to bring more attention to the sports. While schools across the state did just that, it was local players who put a bright star on the night.

In Game 1 of the night at Clear Fork High School, the Madison Rams put on a show, knocking off the Colts 11-3. The brightest star of the night was Madison's James Wagner, who had a hat trick within the first five minutes of action. His first goal came on an assist by Logan Davis. The Rams had two more players almost reach a trio of goals as Ali Rabee and Gavon Huggins added two goals apiece. Davis added a goal as well. 

The Colts saw goals from Braeden Feeman and Seth Stoner.

Over in Lexington, the goals may not have been in high demand, but the action was still fierce.

The Lexington Minutemen hosted the Ontario Warriors on opening night with Lex pulling off the 1-0 victory. The game was decided within the first five minutes after junior Gavin George scored the game's only goal on an assist from sophomore Ryan Parker. From there, Lexington's junior goalkeeper Trevor Cramer took home the shutout, blocking the Warriors from scoring.

Back over in the Valley, the most anticipated matchup of the night featured the Madison Lady Rams and Clear Fork Lady Colts. Everyone was ready to see what All-American Taylor Huff had planned for an encore after earning the honors as a freshman. She did not disappoint. She opened up the season with a goal in the 16th minute to give her Lady Rams an early 1-0 lead.

Madison followed that up with a goal by Kari Eckenwiler in the 26th minute to take a 2-0 lead into the half. The Lady Colts battled back and had a goal called back for offsides in the 68th minute. Seven minutes later, Kaylin Helinski finally got the Lady Colts on the board, but it was a bit late and the Lady Rams held on for the win.

Back over at Lexington, the Lady Warriors and Lady Lex battled to a 1-1 tie. Ontario star Bria Meisse who led the area in scoring last season opened up her season with a header goal off an assist by Riley Kinney. With just 14 minutes left in the first half, Sarah Pfizenmayer scored the only goal for Lexington off of a pass from Lacee Bethea. The two teams battled to a stalemate in the second half with the game ending in a 1-1 tie.

All of the action across the county brought some much-deserved attention to the sport and showed just how impressive soccer is in the area thanks to Friday Night Futbol.

jfurr@gannett.com

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Twitter: @JakeFurr11