The Bulldogs (1-0) jumped out to a 20-point lead after the first quarter and never looked back in their fifth straight win against their Northeast Kansas League rival. They racked up 426 yards of total offense in the season-opening victory.

Senior Jace Carlton gave MHS some breathing room early with three first-quarter touchdown runs. He opened scoring with a 16-yard score, then added a pair of one-yard plunges to give McLouth a 20-0 advantage at the end of the period.

JCN (0-1) got one touchdown back on a 12-yard run by Bryce Noll, but Kevin Gann answered with a 31-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jack Courtney to make it 28-6 at the break. Jack Arnett added a one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, then Courtney and Gann hooked up again — this time from 37 yards out — for the game’s final points.

Carlton enjoyed a big night on the ground, racking up 226 yards on 19 carries to go with his three scores. Courtney added six carries for 50 yards and went 9-of-14 passing for 120 yards. Gann was Courtney’s favorite target, hauling in four catches for 89 yards.

The Bulldogs have dominated the series with JCN in recent years, outscoring the Chargers by a 203-32 mark since 2010. Before its current five-game win streak, McLouth dropped four straight in the series.

Coach Chris Stewart’s team will try to improve to 2-0 Friday when it travels to Leavenworth-Immaculata.