RIMERSBURG — Field position proved to be the deciding factor in Clarion-Limestone's 16-0 victory at Union Friday night.

The Golden Knights managed to drive into the Lions' end of the field only once all night.

"You need to move the ball on their side of the 50," Union coach Tom Kidder said. "We didn't get there as often as I would like tonight."

Clarion Limestone (7-1, 5-1) played Friday night without starting quarterback Scott Davis in the lineup. The junior was suspended after an altercation that took place in the game last week at Clarion.

"He's our best player," C-L Coach Todd Smith said. "He makes everything happen for us. We are able to spread the field with him in there, and that's our game, spreading the field and throwing the ball around."

The game started off slowly with neither team reaching the scoreboard in the first quarter. C-L drove the ball to the Golden Knights' 27 yard line and turned it over on downs. With Davis also the team's place kicker, the Lions were reluctant to attempt any field goals.

"We're not good at going right at people, and that's what we were forced to do tonight," Smith said. "We had to move our best receiver to quarterback, and that's just not our game."

Union's defense stopped C-L from scoring early in the second quarter, even though the Lions drove the ball to the Knights' 4-yard line. On fourth down, senior defensive tackle Corey Helper came up with a big sack, giving the ball back to Union.

"Our defense played well tonight," Kidder said. "We rose to the challenge. We had a good week's work, and the kids were ready to play some football."

Union was unable to cash in on the turnover, however On its first play on offense, quarterback Zach Himes was unable to handle the snap and Lions linebacker Jesse Zahoran came up with the loose ball.

On the ensuing drive, C-L drove to the Knights' 16-yard line. Once again, Union's defense stepped up and prevented the Lions from scoring when backup quarterback David Brooks threw an errant pass that was intercepted by linebacker Colton Davis.

"We wanted to gain some respect from this team," Kidder said.

The scoring drought ended late in the second quarter as Brooks ran it in from a yard out to give the Lions an 8-0 lead with 1:23 remaining in the first half.

Neither team reached the scoreboard in the third quarter. C-L did drive the ball to the Knights' 16-yard line, but was stopped again by the Knights' defense.

"We're not the same team," Smith said. "Our quarterback makes everything happen for us. He's one of the best athletes in our district."

C-L scored its final touchdown in the fourth quarter when Brooks again ran the ball in the end zone from 1-yard out.

As with the first score, senior running back Matt Hetrick ran the ball in for the two-point conversion, bringing the score to 16-0 with 7:05 left on the clock.

Union managed to drive the ball past midfield for the only time in the contest early in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, the possession ended in a punt.

The victory gives Clarion-Limestone an opportunity to win the KSAC.

"We did what we had to do to win tonight," Smith said. "Karns City and Clarion could tie us, but we have to be ready to play Redbank Valley and we can win a championship."