In Erika Houk’s first year of taking over the program, Hoffhines and the rest of the Bulldogs received their first dosage of practicing two times in the same day — for two straight weeks.

Houk held two-a-days during the weeks of Aug. 13 and Aug. 20.

“I think we’ve bonded more as a team because we’ve motivated each other,” Hoffhines said. “Then, when we go to practice, we’re like, ‘Yeah, we know that we can do it and we want to work hard for everything.’ We’ve become closer.”

McLouth finished last season at 10-19 and lost to Pleasant Ridge at sub-state.

“Most of the girls had never played together and I felt we needed more time playing together as a team,” Houk said of the two-a-days.

The Bulldogs competed in the Delaware Valley League tournament, held at the beginning of each season, Saturday.

McLouth finished fifth of 11 teams — impressive, when you consider the Bulldogs senior class had never made it out of pool play at the DVL tournament before this year.

McLouth went 2-2 at the tournament. It defeated Doniphan West and Kansas City Christian, but lost against Jackson Heights and Wathena.

Seniors Hoffhines, Sam Farris, Dakotah Roberts and Abby Annis will lead the team this season.

“We’ve used the football team as motivation,” Hoffhines said of the 2005 squad. “They have their DVL title and now I want mine.”