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Bulldogs 9-0 for first time since 1953

By Shawn Linenberger - | Nov 2, 2005

Harry Hester dedicated the game ball after Thursday’s 54-0 rout of Maur Hill to his entire team.

The McLouth High football coach said he’s never done that before — and isn’t sure he will again.

McLouth 54, Maur Hill 0

Score by quarters

Maur Hill 0 0 0 0 — 0

McLouth 14 26 6 8 — 54

How they scored

M — Josh Hobbs 6 run (Jimmy Steffey run)

M — Kyle Sparks 5 run (run failed)

M — Cody Cook 17 run (pass failed)

M — Joel Gill 42 pass from Steffey (pass failed)

M — Andrew Booth 26 pass from Steffey (run failed)

M — Kevin Stewart 29 pass from Steffey (Booth pass from Steffey)

M — Mark Stewart 48 run (Rocky Keyes run)

But the gesture seemed fitting after McLouth completed the regular season with a perfect 9-0 season.

According to records that Hester has available, that’s the third time in program history the Bulldogs have made their way through the regular season unscathed.

McLouth’s last perfect regular season was nearly a half-century ago — in 1953.

Against Maur Hill, McLouth scored two touchdowns in the first quarter before exploding for four touchdowns in the second quarter for a 40-0 halftime lead. The Bulldogs scored once in the third and once in the fourth for the 54-0 victory.

“We punted early, but once our kids settled down and adjusted, we really got it going,” Hester said. “We executed well.”

The Bulldogs had 534 yards of total offense. MHS had 299 yards on the ground. Senior Kevin Stewart led the team in rushing with 81 yards on 12 carries. His brother, Mark Stewart, had 71 yards on eight carries.

Jimmy Steffey completed eight of 13 passes for 200 yards. He threw for three interceptions and had two turnovers. Mark Stewart completed two of eight passes for 35 yards. Stewart threw one interception.

The Bulldog defense, meanwhile, held Maur Hill to 202 yards of total offense. The Junior Ravens had 70 rushing yards and 132 passing yards.

Maur Hill keyed on Kevin Stewart, McLouth’s top weapon, who had one touchdown and 81 rushing yards.

“It really opened up our passing game,” Hester said, noting the Bulldogs had three passing touchdowns in the second quarter. “They were definitely keying on Kevin and we went to the air.”

The Bulldogs, who will receive a Delaware Valley League plaque for their first conference title since 1994, earned another plaque — a district champion trophy — after defeating Maur Hill.

Hester said the plaque is special because “that’s going to last forever in our school,” he said.

“They were all wanting to touch that plaque,” Hester said.

McLouth won its first district title since 1996, the last year the Bulldogs qualified for the playoffs.

In this year’s Class 3A state playoffs, MHS earned a first-round matchup with Sabetha. The Blue Jays enter the playoffs with a 4-5.

The winner of that game advances to play the winner of Silver Lake (9-0) and Northern Heights (7-2).

A story about the first-round of playoffs can be found on page 1A of this week’s edition.