KNOX — Sometimes in football, inclement weather can make both teams more even.

That didn't happen Friday night.

Keystone jumped to a 36-0 first-quarter lead and cruised to a 42-0 win over visiting A-C Valley.

The win clinches a berth for the Panthers in the District 9 Class A playoffs. This is Keystone's first trip to the playoffs since 1997.

"It has been a long time since we have been to the playoffs, so it's nice to just get in there," said Keystone coach Jason Nellis.

Dustin Swartfager sparked the Panthers by scoring four touchdowns in the first quarter. On the night, Swartfager had 74 yards rushing on eight carries.

Keystone closed out the opening stanza when Luca Montana rumbled for a 35-yard touchdown with 33 seconds left.

In the second quarter, A-C Valley got an opportunity to get on the scoreboard when defensive lineman Casey McBride blocked a Keystone punt that gave the Falcons the ball at the Keystone 20-yard line.

However, the Falcons fumbled three plays later, extinguishing the drive.

A-C Valley had another opportunity to score on its next possession, but fumbled the ball away at the Keystone 3-yard line.

In all, A-C Valley had nine turnovers on the night.

"These kids were stronger than us," said A-C Valley coach Randy Lemmon. "And on a field like tonight, we didn't have a chance."

"If they would have kept their starters in the game, they could have scored 100 points on us," Lemmon added.