McCluer North Comes Out on Top of District Rivalry

The announced crowd of 300 plus fans at the and football game Saturday morning had several interesting challenges to watch on the field.

The obvious battle both clubs faced was the brutal weather conditions, including high temperatures and humidity even with the game being moved from 1 p.m. to 11 a.m.

A healthy match-up between two senior Stars quarterbacks Galen Brown and Bryan Herd, one that North coach Jim Schottmueller said is not an issue with his club.

And finally a struggle with turnovers. The Stars had five turnovers, and the Comets were close with four.

North managed to win out on all three issues and defeat the Comets 38-21. McCluer North improved to 1-1, and the Stars meet Pattonville on Sept. 10 at the Edward Jones Dome. McCluer fell to 0-2.

With high temperatures all week, both clubs struggled to have practice outdoors, and it was obvious with the effort on Saturday.

"We don't play the games in the gym," Schottmueller said. "We only got to practice two and a half days outside this week. I know we have to make a decision and wish we go by the rules, which says 105. A few days it was a 101 heat index, a big difference. Today by far was the hottest day of the week for us and we played."

Schottmueller said his club is slowly getting into game shape, and it was evident with the game on the line with 11 minutes 50 seconds remaining in fourth quarter, and North trailing 21-17.

Brown intercepted a pass from Comets quarterback Berlin Hollomon and returned it for a touchdown. converted the point after, and the Stars were in front for good at 24-21.

"We quit at the end," Comets coach Joe Henke said. "We got tired and quit. We have got guys going both ways, but so do they. They lasted longer than us. Going into the fourth, we threw that pick and were only down by three. Right there we quit. We just quit playing hard."

The Stars put the game away in the fourth with the work of the defense. Hollomon couldn't find any open receivers on a drive after the Brown touchdown, and McCluer had to punt.

Senior running back Antwaun Williams scored on the third play of the drive with a 72-yard run down the left sideline. Schulz was good with the kick, and the Stars were up 31-21.

Again, the Stars defense frustrated Hollomon, and McCluer had to punt again. Seven plays later, on a fourth and three situation, Williams scored on a 20-yard misdirection play with 1:37 remaining.

Williams, who transferred from Lift For Life Academy, finished with 214 yards on 19 carries. Schottmueller said he is still learning the Stars system and how to play the game.

"He is making progress," Schottmueller said. "He has a lot of potential, but he has a long way to go to become a football player in the Suburban North. He is still learning, but I think he's going to be very good."

Williams said he is starting to finally understand the Stars system.

"I know the system now," Williams said. "First it was kind of hard, but the coaches worked with me after practice and I worked on it."

Schottmueller mixed his look at quarterback by starting Herd. He moved the offense but did not complete a pass in five attempts, and he threw one interception. Brown took over in the second half, and the offense looked a little more polished.

"You have to have two quarterbacks ready if you have kids going both ways," Schottmueller said. "Galen ran out of gas last week. Bryan did a good job last week, and he did a good job today. I've got two kids who can play. Who ever is ready on game day is going to start."

Brown said he enjoys the friendly competition and has welcomed the challenge.

"I enjoy playing against the best receiver on the other team as much as playing quarterback," Brown said. "I like the competition. I like to make the receiver my personal little project for the week."

The Stars start was sluggish. The Comets scored on the opening drive on the seventh play when Hollomon hit Darrion Dillard on a 15-yard pass for a 7-0 lead with 8:39 remaining.

North tied the game with 1:14 left in the first quarter on fourth and three when Williams scored on a 24-yard draw play. Schulz was good with the kick.

The Comets went back in front 14-7 on the second series of the second quarter at 7:42 when Hollomon hit Dillard again from 19 yards. Earl Cozart killed a Comets drive late in the quarter and returned a Hollomon pass for a 37-yard touchdown with 3:18 remaining. Schulz was again perfect with the point after to tie the score at 14.

McCluer enjoyed a brief lead in the third when Bruce Harvey hit Aaron McFadden from eight yards for a 21-14 lead. Schulz hit a 25-yard field goal to cut the Comets lead before the exciting fourth quarter.

"We had five turnovers, three fumbles, three fumbles within inside the 20," Schottmueller said. "I'm not happy at all. We had two interceptions, two returned for touchdowns and the defense gave us those. They did a good job. We have got a lot of improvement to do."