CHERRY TWP — Moniteau football players sprinted toward one of the many mud pits scattered across the school's football field and slid head first into them in celebration.

“That,” said Moniteau coach Jeff Campbell, “that is what this means to them.”

The Warriors had just concluded a dismantling of Kennedy Catholic, 51-8, in the final home game of the season Friday night.

The win also capped off a 9-0 regular season — Moniteau's first unbeaten campaign since 1971.

Everyone got into the act for Moniteau in this blowout.

Senior quarterback Kyle Armagost threw three touchdown passes in the first half and offensive linemen Nick Conti and Joe Holfelder each scored a touchdown on short runs.

“When you block for people for three years, you deserve it,” Campbell said.

Moniteau will now have a week off before opening the District 9 Class AA playoffs either Nov. 11 or 12 at a site and time to be determined.

The Warriors pondered playing a 10th game, but Campbell couldn't find a matchup.

That's OK, the coach said. His practices are tough enough.

“I tell you what, the best practice we had all year was Wednesday,” Campbell said. “It was the most physical practice. It just happened. We mixed and matched guys and they were really getting after it.”

That's why Campbell isn't too concerned about a bye week before the playoffs.

He was happy with what he saw against Kennedy Catholic (2-6).

Moniteau came out throwing out of a spread, no-back formation.

That was the plan.

“We accomplished what we wanted to tonight,” Campbell said.

Armagost, still hobbled a bit from a knee injury suffered earlier in the season, picked apart the Golden Eagles.

He was 9-of-14 passing for 171 yards and the three first-half TDs.

He hooked up with Brayden McCorry on a 19-yard scoring strike just a minute into the game following a Kennedy Catholic fumble on the opening kickoff.

On the next possession, he hit Joey Deal on a 37-yard touchdown pass and then hit Deal again in the second quarter on a short 1-yard TD toss.

Armagost said the knee injury, which has limited his ability to run amok like he had in previous seasons, was the best thing that happened to him.

“It made me be a pocket passer,” Armagost said. “I talked to my brother (Tyler) and he said, ‘You can do it. Just stand in there, let your linemen block for you, and find the open guy.' That's what I have done.”

It helps he has a bevy of good receivers to throw to.

Ethan Pry, the No. 1 target in the passing game, caught four passes for 68 yards and Deal had three receptions for 52 yards.

“I love Ethan. He's my brother,” Armagost said. “My favorite receiver is Joey Deal. He will not drop a ball. He just won't.”

Moniteau is just happy to get on a turf field for a change.

The Warriors will try to practice on Slippery Rock University's turf field leading up to their playoff game.

“This is the worst our field has ever been,” Armagost said. “But we're used to it.”

“I'm just happy for the kids,” Campbell said. “We've played on the (worst) fields every week. We played on turf the first week against Karns City and it was 98 degrees. Every other week we've played in the mud and we still put up some pretty good numbers.”