Hounds nail down spot in Class 3 title game

The Spoofhounds have taken this season to the max.

With a 42-7 win over California in the semifinals Saturday at the Hound Pound, Maryville advanced to its first Class 3 state title game in 16 years.

The No. 2 Hounds (14-0) will play No. 1 John Burroughs (14-0) in the finals Friday at 1 p.m. at the Edwards Jones Dome in St. Louis.

Maryville's first state final berth since winning the Class 2 state title in 2009 was all but secured by halftime of their game with California (13-1).

The Hounds led 35-0 at that point and took a 42-0 lead into the fourth quarter before giving up an obligatory late touchdown with their second-stringers in the game.

Maryville finished 8-0 at home, winning all eight game by at least 27 points.

This was Maryville's 11th win of the year by at least 35 points .

Maryville quarterback Jonathan Baker was 17-20 passing in the first half with 244 yards and four touchdowns.

He threw one to Trent Nally, one to Treyton Burch and two to Brody McMahon.

Running back Derek Stiens accounted for the other first half score on a 15-yard run. He scored again from 30 yards out in the second quarter.

California (13-1) had just one first down in the first half and three for the game.

Quarterback Jaden Barr was 1-8 passing and threw an interception hauled in by Nally late in the second quarter.

Seth Fairchild scored the team's only touchdown with 4:24 remaining.

The entire second half was played with a running clock.