DARKE COUNTY – A new high school sports season has begun, and athletes from across Darke County already are off to strong starts.

Among the athletes off to a strong start this fall are this week’s Daily Advocate athletes of the week – Bradford football player James Canan and Greenville girls tennis player Michelle Borgerding.

Canan was a driving force as Bradford began the 2012 season with a 48-12 victory against county-rival Ansonia. The running back led the way for the Railroaders with 196 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 13 carries.

He put Bradford up 7-0 early with a 5-yard touchdown run and then ran 5 yards into the end zone again to put Bradford up 14-0. He scored his third touchdown of the night on a 63-yard run to put Bradford up 21-0 and then went 44 yards for his fourth score to put Bradford up 35-6. Canan finished off his scoring with a 6-yard touchdown run.

Borgerding has begun the season with an 9-0 record for the Lady Wave tennis team, making her the lone Greenville player still undefeated this year.

“She’s undefeated. She moved up to second singles this year,” Greenville girls tennis coach Jim Koontz said. “She’s just playing really well. I’m just really happy for her and really proud of her.”

Borgerding, who played third singles last year, gives everything she has, Koontz said.

“She’s always come through for us,” he said.

Along with her teammates, Borgerding has helped the Lady Wave start the season with a 7-2 record.

“She did better than I thought she would do really,” Koontz said. “I thought there would be a little bit up a trouble moving up from three to two, but she’s a fighter.”