MOUNT BLANCHARD — An early-season girls basketball matchup between Northern 10 Athletic Conference and Blanchard Valley Conference contenders played out like a prize fight. Riverdale threw its power punches early, while Upper Sandusky held onto its haymakers until the later rounds.

Wynford offensive lineman James Ort and Mohawk linebacker Derrick Sowers led the way among area all-district football selections as first-teamers. In all, Ort was one of seven Wynford players selected in Division VI.

CALEDONIA — While efficiency eluded the Royals in their opening game of the season, they were able to corral the basketball more often than not. The Wynford girls basketball team made 17 of 49 shots from the field and had 30 turnovers in a 54-42 win at River Valley on Friday.

Upper Sandusky has a veteran team, but sometimes even experience does not prevent opening night nervousness. The Rams had a cold-shooting first half, but shook it off to come back after the break and capture a 56-42 season-opening victory Friday night against New Riegel.

MOUNT BLANCHARD — Riverdale built a big early lead Friday night on its way to a 68-40 victory over Hardin Northern in the girls basketball opener for both teams. “It was a good first game,” Riverdale coach Maryann Holderman said.

McGUFFEY — The Upper Scioto Valley girls basketball team opened the season with a 77-60 win over Mohawk on Friday night, the victory was not without and anxious moment or two for the Rams, however. Leading by 21 points going into the fourth quarter, the Rams turned the ball over on five of their first possessions of the final stanza as Mohawk went on a 12-2 run to pull within 58-47 with six minutes to play.

Carey swept the top awards on the All-Daily Chief-Union cross country team, with Trevor Cook and Destiny DeFeo being named runners of the year and Dean Kessler tabbed coach of the year. Joining DeFeo on the All-DC-U girls cross team are teammate Keely Wentz, Upper Sandusky’s Madelyn Shasteen and Keyanna Kail and Mohawk’s Anna Stillberger, McKenzie Richardson and Shauna Leeth.

Girls basketball begins Friday, and there should be a high level of play in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference. All but one team returns its leading scorer, and most teams have all but two or three players returning this season.

The Riverdale FFA hosted a 5K on Nov. 7, with participants giving items for soldier care packages. There were 13 runners, including two U.S. Marines, Jordan Fleming and Montana Kimmel.