McCluer North Topples Lafayette in Surprising Shutout

FLORISSANT—The coaching staff worked overtime during the week.

That extra film time paid dividends on Saturday afternoon.

The Stars' defense stole the show as the Stars stunned previously unbeaten Lafayette 27-0 in a nonconference affair at .

Lafayette, which totaled 80 points in winning its first three games, was helpless against the Stars' aggressive, swarming defense. For most of the game, it appeared as though the North defenders knew exactly what was coming.

"The coaches gave us a great game plan," North senior offensive/defensive tackle Keith Jones said. "We listened to them, and we executed. We did what they told us to do."

Jones led the ganging attack with a pair of quarterback sacks. He got plenty of help from a strong all-around team effort.

Defensive coordinators Gregg Clippard and Joe Brown put in a lot of overtime to prepare the perfect game plan.

"They did a great job scouting and breaking down film. They put in hours after hours of work," North coach Jim Schottmueller said. "I think we knew what they were going to run."

North, which improved to 3-1, used a pair of touchdowns in the final 2:45 of the opening half to take control 14-0.

Senior running back Keith Smith galloped for a pair of scores, and Antwaun Williams rushed for 142 yards on 19 carries to pace the attack. Senior quarterback Galen Brown also hit wide out Peter Jackson on a 41-yard scoring toss in the third quarter.

But the day belonged to the North defenders.

"I feel like we stepped up the whole day," said the 6 foot, 2 inch, 275-pound Jones, an NCAA Division One prospect.

The Lancers had just 119 yards on 48 plays from scrimmage. They went three-and-out on five of 11 possessions.

Lafayette entered the game ranked seventh in the statewide Class 6 Poll. The highly touted Lancers racked up 35 points in a win over Eureka earlier in the season and scored 24 in dispatching Lindbergh.

But that high-powered attack was helpless on Saturday.

"They made plays when they had to, and we didn't execute," Lafayette coach Boyd Manne said. "They're a great team. They really played well."

Jones led the charge, although he received plenty of help from his teammates. Rodja Harvey picked off a pass. Earl Cozart provided a crunching hit. Demecho Crawford added a key sack. Darrell Cooper, Laquane Young, Armis Jones, Kevin Stewart and Jordan Harold all come up with big plays.

The Stars broke open a scoreless game with a pair of late scores in the second quarter. Smith muscled in over right tackle from 2 yards out for the first TD of the contest. Williams carried three times for 48 yards on the 52-yard drive.

After a defensive stand, North marched 52 yards in just under a minute. Williams busted up the middle from 11 yards away with 1:06 left to push the lead to 14-0.

The Stars scored on their first play of the second half to put the game away. Brown hit a wide-open Jackson at the goal line for the 41-yard score.

Smith capped the win with a 3-yard scoring run on the third play of the fourth period.

North has won three in a row after a season-opening 39-7 loss to Jefferson City.

"We're happy, but we're not content," Jones said. "There is still more work to be done.

North travels to Farmington on Friday. Lafayette goes to Northwest.