Bulldogs look for better days ahead

Harry Hester’s first year at McLouth didn’t look too spiffy on paper.

The Bulldogs finished the season at 0-9 for the second straight year, which pushed McLouth’s record during the last four years to 2-34.

In 2004, however, the second-year coach speaks as though he now leads a program that’s been 34-2 in that span.

“I don’t look back, I look ahead,” Hester said. “We have our eyes set for Horton.”

Hester was referring to the Bulldogs’ season-opening opponent. McLouth had its sights set on knocking the Chargers off last year, but numerous turnovers led to a 44-0 defeat. Horton finished the season at 2-7.

The Bulldogs started to show a spark in district play. They scored 25 against Troy, then had three touchdowns in a 21-20 heartbreaker loss to Wathena the next week. A win would have snapped a home losing streak dating back to 1999.

Despite the defeats, however, Hester’s optimism has rubbed off on his team.

McLouth had about 20 players on the roster two years ago. This year, the number has grown to 41.

“It’s not 41 kids to have 41 kids out there,” Hester said. “It’s 41 quality kids who are going to get our program headed in the right way.”

Along with the inflated particpation, the team now is extremely experienced, with nine starters returning on each side of the ball.

Hester will have two All-Delaware Valley League players back this season. Junior Jason McGhee was All-DVL honorable mention last year as a defensive end, while Kevin Stewart was All-DVL honorable mention at quarterback.

Front row, from left: Manager Calvin Booth, Kent Sparks, Cody Wise, Brad Jones, Cameron Stout, Dustin Summers, Levi Masqua, Ryan Perry, Brian Kabus, manager Ashley Coffman. Second Row: manager Tiffany Kramer, manager Skeeter Kingsolver, David Buckley, Jesse Snyder, coach Byron Marshall, head coach Harry Hester, coach Chris Stewart, Arthur Rollins, Chris Driscoll, Trevor Spurlock, manager Kylie Campbell. Third row: Damien Grammer, Kenny Mack, Lance Steffey, Ryan Smith, Jonah Wise, Kyle Sparks, Ted Luse, Mark Stewart, Ripp Harrison. Fourth row: Boone Sorrell, Kevin Stewart, Danny Crouse, Cody Cook, Jason McGhee, Tyler Wise, Aaron Powell, Jake Eibes. Fifth row: Andrew Booth, Josh Hobbs, Joel Dickerson, Dustin McLaughlin, Dylan Roberts, Blake Kinsolver, Trevor Keling, Jimmy Steffey, Joel Gill. Not Pictured: Jeff Coffey, manager Claudia Alterman.

Stewart, however, will move to running back behind an offensive line that averages between 225 and 250 pounds.

“That’s probably his natural position,” Hester said.

Competing for the starting quarterback job are sophomore Andrew Booth and junior Jimmy Steffey.

Other top returners are senior place kicker/punter Ripp Harrison, junior linebacker Ryan Perry and junior wide receiver Joel Gill.

Sept. 3 — at HortonSept. 10 — WathenaSept. 17 — at Doniphan WestSept. 24 — Jefferson North (homecoming)Oct. 1 — Valley FallsOct. 8 — at TroyOct. 15 — ImmaculataOct. 22 — Pleasant RidgeOct. 28 — Maur Hill Prep

This year, the Bulldogs move up to Class 3A and will be paired with Leavenworth Immaculata, Pleasant Ridge and Atchison Maur Hill in district play.

Also new to the schedule will be Doniphan West, a consolidated 11-man squad of 8-man teams Highland and Midway-Denton.

Although the Bulldogs haven’t won at home in five seasons, the team will have plenty of opportunities to snap the streak, with a rare six home-game schedule. The extra home contest stemmed from a conflict with Maur Hill’s field that forced the Oct. 28 game to be moved to McLouth.

The Bulldogs will have all three of their district games at their home stadium this year.

“We get to have them at home two years in a row,” Hester said. “For us to have three district games, I’ve never seen that.”

Hester and the Bulldogs are working toward the season opener Friday against Horton, but the MHS coach also is excited about games two and three against Wathena and Doniphan West.

“I think our schedule starts out well for us,” Hester said. “Those are three very winnable games for us and then we see where we’re at with homecoming and JCN (Jefferson North).”