The Lake Mills football team started its season off in a big way Friday night.

There is nothing quite like the first football game of the year, even if it comes on a late August night.

Lake Mills traveled to play West Fork, and came home with a big victory.

The Bulldogs trounced the Warhawks and earned a 41-0 shutout.

Sophomore quarterback Cael Boehmer got his season off to a fine start, completing seven of nine passes for 143 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions.

The Bulldogs also used a punishing ground game, racking up 174 rushing yards, with Marcus Escherich totaling 84 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior wide receiver Slade Sifuentes was Boehmer’s favorite target on the night. Sifuentes caught five passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns.

The visitors scored early and often in the first half, racing out to a 35-0 lead at the break.

Escherich found the end zone on the ground, twice, in the first quarter to put the Bulldogs up 14-0.

In the second quarter, it was Escherich using his hands to reel in a 27-yard touchdown pass from Boehmer.

Boehmer would then find Sifuentes on a 25-yard strike to make it 28-0.

Later in the quarter, Sifuentes caught a three-yard pass from Boehmer.

Alex Albert would score the Bulldogs final touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter on a nine-yard run.

The victory already matches the Bulldogs’ total from the 2015 season, a season in which they went 1-8.

Getting off to a good start Friday night was certainly a step in the right direction.

“I thought the intensity and focus was great,” Bulldogs coach Bill Byrnes said. “We executed very well, limited our penalties and played great team defense. “We didn’t allow a first down in the first half and gave up only 57 total yards.”

Escherich was also a star on a defense. He co-led the Bulldogs in tackles with 6.5 tackles. Gabe Irons had five tackles for loss, and the Bulldogs had a total of 13 on the night.

Sifuentes had the Bulldogs lone interception on the night.

“On offense, our offensive line did a nice job of giving our quarterback time,” Byrnes said. Our skill-position players did a great job of making plays.”

Lake Mills will have its home-opener against Newman Catholic Friday.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.