Senior quarterback Marc Walbridge opened his final campaign by throwing for 128 yards and two touchdowns and running for another in the win. The Bulldogs (1-0) jumped out to a 12-0 lead at the end of the first quarter and never allowed the Raiders (0-1) to mount a comeback.

Walbridge opened scoring in the first quarter when he hooked up with fellow senior Dakota Cop for a 41-yard touchdown pass. The fourth-year starter then added a one-yard scoring run to give MHS a two-score lead at the end of the opening period.

Senior Wyatt Farris recorded the only points of the second quarter when he tackled a Nemaha Valley ball carrier in the end zone for a safety, and the Bulldogs took a 14-0 advantage into the locker room at halftime.

McLouth extended its lead to 18 points when junior Drew Cerny scored on an eight-yard run in the third quarter. NVHS answered later in the period with a 58-yard touchdown pass from Alex Rottinghaus to Justice McKernan, but that’s all the points the Raiders could manage.

Cerny closed out the game with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns — one on the ground and another through the air. He broke free for an 18-yard touchdown run, then hauled in a 26-yard scoring strike from Walbridge.

The Bulldogs will hit the road Friday for a Delaware Valley League clash with Doniphan West in Highland. The Mustangs dropped their season opener to Wathena-Riverside, 32-27.

The Bulldogs didn’t face Doniphan West last season, but both teams went undefeated in DVL play. Friday’s kickoff is set for 7 p.m.