STRATTANVILLE - The Clarion-Limestone Lions had feasted on a state-high 34 straight regular season opponents entering Friday's football game against Moniteau.

But the Warriors weren't about to become the defending KSAC champion's latest meal.

Junior running back Matt Schandelmeier rushed for 141 yards and scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns as Moniteau rolled to a 21-7 road win.

The Warriors (5-4, 4-3) already had agreed to participate in the District 9 Class AA playoffs regardless of the game's outcome. But having lost their previous four games, the team needed a win to boost their confidence.

"Clarion-Limestone is a very good football team," said Moniteau coach Steve Wilson. "This was a big win for us and certainly feels good heading into the playoffs."

The Warriors will host Brookville next Friday in the opening round of the Class AA playoffs.

The Lions were without star quarterback and linebacker Hayden Johnston, who suffered a ruptured spleen in last week's win over Redbank Valley.

Sophomore Scott Davis replaced Johnston under center and proved he can make big plays as well.

Davis rushed 20 times for 104 yards and threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Erik White in the second quarter to tie the score at 7.

The score was still deadlocked when Moniteau took possession at the Lions 43-yard line with 36 seconds left in the third quarter.

Schandelmeier reeled off a 29-yard run on the final play of the period and, three plays into the fourth quarter, scored his first touchdown from 11 yards out.

Adam Cousins added the extra point and Moniteau held a 14-7 lead it wouldn't surrender.

"Scott played well tonight," said Clarion-Limestone coach Todd Smith. "But we just couldn't consistently make plays to keep the football."

The Lions' next two possessions ended with a punt and an interception by Cousins at midfield.

With 4:29 remaining in the game, Clarion-Limestone took over at its own 25-yard line.

After one first down, Moniteau's Chris Cooper flushed Davis out of the pocket and the quarterback threw the ball, apparently to avoid a sack.

The officials had the same thought and flagged Davis for intentional grounding.

The Lions went from a first-and-10 on their own 35 to a second-and-33 at their 12-yard line.

The Warriors allowed Clarion-Limestone to gain only four yards in the next three plays, taking over on downs. Schandelmeier sealed the win with a 2-yard run four plays later, ending the regular season with 1,023 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.

"Penalties really hurt us tonight," said Smith. "We had at least three or four drives that ended because of a penalty. The biggest one was the (intentional grounding), because we thought we had a receiver in the area."

After a scoreless first quarter, Moniteau quarterback Garth Kohlmeyer capped an eight-play drive by running around left end for a 3-yard touchdown. Wideout Eric Hilliard provided the block that made the score look easy.

Blocking up front was the biggest key for Moniteau's success on the ground. Along with Schandelmeier's totals, Cousins added 82 yards on 15 rushes.

Moniteau outgained the Lions on the ground, 248-160.

"Our offensive line stepped up tonight," said Wilson. "And we were able to run the ball well. That's our game."

The Lions' loss, coupled with Clarion's defeat of A-C Valley, results in a split KSAC championship between Clarion-Limestone (8-1, 6-1) and Clarion.

It was Moniteau's first win over the Lions since 1986.

"The kids were champing at the bit after last year's game (a 26-12 Lions' win)," said Wilson. "We felt that game could have gone our way."