In a season where it has done pretty much as it pleases, South Callaway's wrecking-ball defense was lacking in one statistical category.
There is now a check mark carved in that particular column.
South Callaway held Montgomery County to 159 net yards and forced a turnover as the unbeaten Bulldogs posted their first shutout of the season by battering the Wildcats 62-0 in an Eastern Missouri Conference runaway win Friday night.
Ranked No. 3 in Class 2, South Callaway improved to 7-0 on the season and 5-0 in the EMO. Montgomery County plunged to 2-5 overall and 1-4 in conference play.
The Bulldogs' defense didn't allow itself to be distracted after South Callaway's practice schedule was disrupted by the weather last week. Storms and heavy rain forced the postponement of Wednesday's practice and Thursday's workout was abbreviated.
"I was happy that the defense aligned well to (Montgomery County's) formations and took care of business," Bulldogs head coach Tim Rulo said. "They played at a high level."
South Callaway's offense was also at the top of its game Friday night as senior quarterback Troy Hentges threw three touchdown passes and also ran for a pair of scores. The Bulldogs - who did not have any turnovers - rolled up 530 yards of total offense, including 442 rushing.
Just 41 seconds into the game, Hentges broke free on a 59-yard touchdown run. He added a 20-yard scoring run at the 5:15 mark of the second quarter, sending South Callaway into halftime with a 48-0 advantage. Hentges ended up with a game-high 141 yards rushing on only six carries.
He also threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to senior slot receiver Mason Shoemaker with 4:57 to go in the first quarter, then followed that with a 22-yard scoring strike to senior wide receiver Luke Horstman at the 2:10 mark to make it 27-0. Hentges' other touchdown pass came on a 12-yard connection with senior wide receiver Dylan Hare with 8:19 remaining in the first half.
Hentges was 6-of-7 passing for 88 yards, the three scores and no interceptions.
"I liked the adjustments we made," Rulo said. "On Troy's first touchdown pass, Mason throttled his route down and stayed in an open area to make the catch. That's next-level stuff and I'm excited to see our offense evolve."
Senior slot receiver Cory Hanger also gained 69 yards on just two touches for the Bulldogs and scored on a 40-yard touchdown run with 11:52 left in the first half. South Callaway also received running scores from senior wide receiver Tyler Adams (10 yards), junior running back Patrick Barnard (2) and senior quarterback Ethan Livengood (4).
South Callaway will be on the road for the last two games before district play gets underway, starting this week at EMO opponent Mark Twain. The Tigers slipped to 3-4 on the season and 2-3 in conference play after a 41-6 loss at Bowling Green on Friday night.
•Notes: The Bulldogs remain in second place in the Class 2, District 7 standings with 50.38 points, but continue to creep closer to leader and seventh-ranked Lafayette County (7-0, 50.48). Cole Camp (7-0) is third behind South Callaway with 49.06 points, while Hallsville (6-1) is fourth with 48.57.