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Sports

Stars Win Against Hawks in District Rivalry Football Game

McCluer North defeated Hazelwood Central, 21-10, Saturday afternoon.

McCluer North football coach Jim Schottmueller didn't waste any time setting the tempo for the Stars game with rival Hazelwood Central on Saturday afternoon.

After winning the coin toss, Schottmueller had sophomore kicker Sam Switzer hit a perfect chip shot for an onside kick. Senior wide receiver Rodja Harvey easily plucked the ball out of the air, and the Stars were ready to roll with the ball on the Hawks 39 yard line.

The Stars and Schottmueller guessed right a few other times Saturday and defeated the Hawks 21-10. North improved to 7-1 and Central fell to 3-5. The game was the first district game for both clubs, and it determines who advances to the playoffs.

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hosts Hazelwood West at 1 p.m. Oct. 22, while plays at Ritenour at 7 p.m. on Oct. 21.

"The most important play of the game was the first play of the game," said. "We worked that all week and the same thing with the punt. We knew they were coming, and we worked it all week. We had several different schemes. Two plays. We didn't play well on special teams."

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The Stars needed only eight plays to score when quarterback Galen Brown scored from two yards out and Switzer made the extra point after for a 7-0 lead at 8 minutes, 39 seconds of the first quarter.

North got a little sloppy when they were called for the first of two roughing the kicker penalties that kept Hazelwood Central drives alive. The first came midway though the opening quarter, and it didn't result in an immediate score but helped when Harvey fumbled a punt from Jonathan Harris.

The Hawks recovered inside the 10-yard line, and Dorian Williams scored on a two-yard run. Harris had the PAT and made it 7-7 with 5:14 left in the quarter.

"They scored twice," Schottmueller said. "They had to go two yards, and they were inside the 20 when they kicked a field goal. We allowed 10 points, and the defense did a great job. We have to do a better job. We didn't look like a very good team today at times. They're a good team. We could have played better. I'm very happy how we came out and ate eight minutes of the clock."

North came right back on the next drive to take a 14-7 lead. Antwaun Williams completed an eight-play drive and scored from one-yard with 2:44 left in the first quarter.

Harris made it close in the second quarter with a 10-yard field goal to cut the lead to 14-10 with 8:14 left in the first half.

The Stars recovered another onside kick midway through the half but a fumble from Williams killed the drive.

North ate the majority of the clock in the third but only came away with one score. The Stars used 10 plays and had to turn the ball over to the Hawks after Brown missed Williams into the corner of the end zone with 3:02 left.

The Stars defense frustrated the Hawks all game and finally managed to turn the play into a score. North blocked a Harris punt at the 20, and Brown scored on a short run with 31 seconds remaining for a 21-10 lead.

The Hawks could really never get anything going on offense with the tough, consistent Stars defense. Brown fumbled midway through the final quarter inside the 10, but the Hawks could not take advantage of the turnover.

"My hat's off to McCluer North," Vanatta said. "They have a good, solid football team. We just could not move the ball on them. We tried. I don't know how many times we had drives going and they stopped us."

The Stars offense is finally starting to come together. Williams finished with 93 yards on 21 carries, and teammate Keith Smith had 66 yards on 11 carries. Brown completed 9 of 12 passes for 105 yards.

"The offense is like a three-headed monster," Brown said. "We have a power back, a tough runner and I'm elusive. I think it works good against other teams."

Brown said the defense has been consistent the entire season and has been a key aspect of the Stars attack.

"The defense is our heart and soul," Brown said. "That is what wins championships. We are all coming together."

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