The Bulldogs passed a doozy with a late rally.

MHS won, 28-21, in a game between two of the top teams in Class 1A.

McLouth led early in a back-and-forth game. Olpe’s Abbott Bailey put the Eagles ahead, 21-20, with Abbott Bailey’s 3-yard touchdown run with 3:54 left in the game.

MHS, though, would answer. Peyton Wyatt scored on a touchdown run with 40 seconds left in the game. The two-point conversion was good as MHS held on for the victory and stayed perfect on the season at 6-0.

Wyatt registered two touchdowns total on the night, with the earlier score a 75-yard touchdown run. Bulldog quarterback Justin Patz also threw for two touchdowns in the victory.

Various state polls had both teams at either No. 5 or No. 6 or just outside the Top 5. McLouth moved to 6-0 for the first time since 2011, while Olpe fell to 4-2.

Friday night’s victory also marked McLouth’s first win against Olpe in program history. The two teams met previously in 2012 and 2013. Olpe won, 13-12, in 2012 and 35-28 in 2013.

MHS and Jefferson County North lead the 1A District 3 standings with identical 2-0 records in district play. The two teams will face off in the regular season finale at JCN (5-1) in Winchester in a game that will help decide the Northeast Kansas League champion. It will be a solid test for both teams heading into the postseason. The Chargers’ only loss was to 5-1 Riverside in the season opener, 41-28, at JCN. The Cyclones also are 5-1, with their only loss coming against 2A powerhouse Sabetha, 28-21, on Oct. 2 at Sabetha. McLouth and Riverside don’t meet this season and won’t see each other in the playoffs, as Riverside is in 2A.

McLouth’s regular-season home finale is next Friday against Maur Hill-Mounty Academy (4-2).