The varsity football Hounds came into this season with all odds against them.

Losing 22 seniors from last season’s 5-5 team, a lot of positions needed to be filled including quarterback.

Junior Chase Haslett was supposed to fill that role before an unfortunate baseball injury last spring cost him at least the first half of the season.

Also, senior wide receiver, Devonte Bell, will miss this season after having shoulder surgery. Bell was an all-state selection last season after rushing for 107 yards on nine carries and accumulating 1,018 yards receiving on 41 catches.

“It is disappointing having to sit out my last year,” Bell said. “I wish the team the best though.”

With all the holes to fill, the Hounds adopted a new defensive system to counter the inexperience.   The new system uses three defensive linemen, as opposed to the traditional four.

“I like the new defense because we are able to have more athletes on the field,” said senior captain Don Stewart.

The Hounds had early success going 3-0 at a preseason Jamboree. The team got contributions from everyone, while shutting out St. Mary’s, Trinity, and MICDS.

Another bright spot came when the Hounds defeated Lutheran North 23-20 in the first game of the season.

Junior running back Cameron Stewart was the story of the day, dominating the Lutheran North defense for three touchdowns after senior Don Stewart was sidelined with an ankle injury.

“A starter went down and I did what I had to do to help my team win,” Cameron Stewart said.

Unfortunately, injuries plagued the team during the first home game against Borgia.

Senior quarterback Graham Gold was out with ankle problems, senior running back/linebacker Don Stewart aggravated a previous ankle injury, and junior running back/linebacker Cameron Stewart strained a muscle in his chest, which will keep him out for at least a week.

Borgia took advantage of the shorthanded Hounds racking up close to 400 yards of total offense and four touchdowns.

Senior running back John Barrett got the Hounds their first points with a 76 yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.

“Losing is always bad,” Don Stewart said. “But, we just have to stay focused on the rest of the season.”

The team is excited for several upcoming games.

“Normandy, University City, and Jennings will be interesting, because those are district games,” Cameron Stewart said. “If we want to make the playoffs we need to win those games.”

“The home games will be a lot of fun,” Don Stewart said. “We get Berkley, University City, and Normandy, which are winnable games.”

The Homecoming game will be played at noon on Saturday October 3, against Imagine College Prep and the Hounds are asking all students to attend.