NEW WILMINGTON — This is not the way the Moniteau High football team wanted to enter the playoffs.

The Warriors were outgained 302-18 in the first half against Wilmington Friday night and trailed 41-0 at the break.

By the time the mercy clock had stopped churning in the second half, the Warriors left town and the regular season with a 41-13 loss.

It's Moniteau's fourth-straight loss after a 6-0 start.

"We have a clean slate," said Moniteau coach Steve Wilson, whose team will open the District 9 playoffs as the No. 3 seed in two weeks. "We just have to put this one behind us."

There wasn't much positive to dwell on in the first 24 minutes for Moniteau (6-4), which was dominated up front on both sides of the ball.

On offense, Wilmington running backs David Bruno and Chris Burns rolled up 164 yards and four touchdowns in the first half on only 14 carries.

Quarterback Jake Reiber tossed a 47-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Beatty, who was 25 yards behind the closest Moniteau defender when he hauled in the pass inside the 15, and fullback Forrest Minteer got in on the act with a 3-yard scoring run.

On defense, the Greyhounds (10-0) sacked Tyler Armagost four times and Josh Loos once and held the Warriors to only one first down.

The win was the 201st for Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli in his 28-year career. Wilmington honored its long-time coach with a postgame ceremony.

When asked if this was the most complete first half of football his team has played in those 201 wins, Verrelli nodded and then shrugged his shoulders.

"To tell you the truth, I really didn't know what to expect," Verrelli said. "This is a great way for our kids to enter the playoffs."

It's not such a great way for Moniteau to enter the postseason.

Armagost finished 2-for-4 passing for 28 yards, and Loos was 2-for-8 for 53 yards, including a 50-yard strike to Dakota Campbell in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring.

Clay Drnek scored the first TD for Moniteau on a 1-yard plunge late in the third period.

"Wilmington is a tremendous football team," Wilson said. "I know we're not going to see that kind of speed in the first round of the District 9 playoffs, I can tell you that. They're probably the best team I've seen in years.

"Hopefully, playing them will help us out."

Moniteau probably will draw a rematch with Karns City in two weeks at KC.

No matter who the Warriors play, Wilson is hoping for vastly different results.

"(If it's Karns City), the kids will be up for them, that's for sure," Wilson said. "I think they'll be up for anyone. If you can't get up for the playoffs, what the heck are you playing football for?"