Milford's Caden Zalenski, shown during a game last year, rushed for 100 yards and two TDs in the Spartans' season opening win on Saturday over John Stark. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

The Milford High School football team couldn’t have started the 2021 season any better.

Not when it saw Caden Zalenski run to a 60-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage en route to a 41-16 win over John Stark Regional in Weare on Saturday afternoon.

The Spartans went on to lead 41-0 halftime lead and never looked back.

“It was good to win our first game this year,” Milford coach Keith Jones said. “We’re young, and some young players did a great job of standing out.”

Logan Barnhill ran for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Zalenski ended up with a 100 yard game and two TDs as well.

Even the Spartan special teams were clicking, as Charlie Urda had a 48-yard punt return for a score.

However, the Spartans also know things won’t be this easy, especially since they have defending Division II Souhegan on Friday night in their home opener. All the Sabers did was start the season off Friday night with a resounding 37-0 win over Kennett.

“Obviously we knew we had some good skill kids,” Jones said. “But now we have Souhegan coming up and then Lebanon. So we need to be ready.”