Game of the Week: Rossville at McLouth

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For the casual observer, the emergence of the McLouth Bulldogs seemed improbable at best.

Think about it.

The past three years under coach Chris Stewart, McLouth mustered only a 6-21 record. Plus, the Bulldogs hadn’t had a winning record since 2005.

So to think that the Bulldogs enter their second district game with a 7-0 record is a bit surprising to say the least.

However, the success is no surprise to Stewart and those who have followed McLouth’s program closely over the past few years.

“Most of our kids who are playing gained experience as freshmen, sophomores and juniors,” Stewart said. “They’ve taken their lumps in the past, but this year we’ve been able to turn it around.

“We knew that when these kids came in as freshmen that they had a lot of talent, and we knew that the class after that would be just as good. They’ve worked hard. They’ve been close knit. When you see that combination in young men, you knew it would eventually pay off.”

Pay off, it has.

McLouth is undefeated and has scored more than 40 points in every game, while not allowing more than 13. Now, the Bulldogs are in position to make the playoffs if they can beat Rossville Friday night at home.

And the community has rallied around the team, which is a large reason the game against Rossville was voted by the readers as the Kpreps.com Game of the Week. With games like Holton at Topeka Hayden, Manhattan at Washburn Rural and St. Mary’s Colgan at Lyndon on the schedule this week, the vote is an indication of how the community supports this team.

“The community has been great the past four years,” Stewart said. “This year has been especially good. The parents have been great.”

However, 6-1 Rossville and 6-1 Silver Lake remain on the schedule. In order for this season to include a playoff berth, McLouth will likely need to win one of the next two games against two of the top 3A programs in the state. Rossville made it to the state semifinals in 2010. Silver Lake beat Rossville in the semifinals and went on to win the state title.

“Rossville is one of the premier teams on the eastern side,” Stewart said. “They’re physical. They have big guys on that team and they never stop. They come at you and just keep coming every play. We must match that same intensity or not have a chance.”

In order to get past Rossville, McLouth will rely on running back Shawn Dailey and quarterback Marc Walbridge. Dailey has rushed for 980 yards and 19 TDs on 92 carries. Walbridge has passed for 880 yards and nine TDs, while rushing for 365 yards and six TDs.

So Rossville – also the Bulldogs – knows that despite past records, it will face a talented McLouth team Friday night.

“McLouth has a good group of kids,” Rossville coach Steve Buhler said. “A lot of them played as freshmen and sophomores, so they have lots of experience. I think the most important thing for us to remember is to play up to their intensity. They’re a good team. It’s hard to go 7-0 no matter who you’re playing. They’ll be determined.”

Rossville also will be determined as last Friday’s wild 20-18 loss to Silver Lake puts the team in a must-win situation against McLouth. If Rossville loses Friday and Silver Lake beats Pleasant Ridge, McLouth and Silver Lake will advance to the playoffs.

To win, Rossville will try to wear down a smaller McLouth team that has only 27 players on the roster.

“I think we will focus on our run game,” Buhler said. “Our run game has been very good this year. There’s no reason to abandon the things we’ve been doing.”

Rossville is rushing for about 200 yards per game. Senior Gage Steckel leads the way with 559 yards and five TDs on 96 carries. Senior quarterback Sam Reesor has passed for 631 yards and two TDs.

“The Steckel kid is very good,” Stewart said. “He’s big and he runs the ball hard. The senior Mark Smith is very good. He’s fast and he makes good reads off blockers. Their offensive line is big. The whole entire defense is quick. They don’t slow down.

“They’re a good football team.”

But McLouth likes the idea of being at home.

“That’s a huge advantage for us,” Stewart said. “We’ve been playing well at home. We’ll be more confident. There’s something about playing on your home field that raises your level of play.”