Florence's Nick Nevil (33) pressures Wausau Newman Catholic quarterback Quincy Pfender on Thursday at Robert Landry Field in Florence. (Jim Anderson/Daily News photo)

Niagara fell to Wisconsin contender Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas 53-0 to open its eight-player football season Friday.

“Lena has a great program,” said Niagara coach Ben Laarman. “They are coming off a state runner-up season and will probably be up there again this year. They are a very physical, fast, and fundamentally sound team.”

The Badgers did complete, trailing 24-0 at halftime, but “the wheels fell off” as the game wore on, Laarman said.

“We threw an interception deep in our own territory at the beginning of the second half that led to a quick touchdown, and then had a punt blocked on our next possession that led to another quick touchdown, and it seemed like we couldn’t do anything right after that,” he said.

“It was a learning experience for us, and we’ll grow from it and make progress from here,” Laarman added.

Brayden Bartels mustered 51 yards on the ground for the Badgers in 15 carries. Defensive leaders included Connor Guardiola, 12 tackles, and Sawyer Rouse, eight tackles.

In another non-conference game, Florence lost Thursday to Wausau Newman Catholic 33-0.

The host Bobcats often played stout defense, but struggled with field position and maintaining drives.