St. Joseph ChristianÂ- Â-- coming off a double-overtime loss to Tarkio last week in a rare 11-man showdown - made short work of Stewartsville in a 48-0 romp that was called at the half.

The Cardinals gave up a 35-yard run to Daniel Gregory for the first score of the game. Three more of the Lions' scores came from runs, each of which was from more than 30 yards out. Gregory rushed for 106 yards to go along with three touchdowns, accounting for nearly half of the Lions' scoring and rushing yards.

Christian (4-2) started Luke Mathes at quarterback instead of the usual Alex Maudlin. Mathes typically starts at halfback and in the absence of fullback David Welchert, who is out with a partially torn ACL, Mathes scored a touchdown and put up 63 yards rushing.

Senior fullback Jordan Fjellman also had a surprise breakout game while scoring twice and rolling for 50 yards rushing.

"Even though we might have scored a lot tonight, we still took a lot of other positive things out of this game," Christian coach Mark Juhl said. "We had a lot of goals going into this game, and I think blocking was an important one."

The Lions blocking was superb indeed as the offense rushed for more than 200 yards in two quarters of play before the coaches met in the center of the field and eventually decided to call the game at the half.

"We called the game because we still actually have a chance at making the playoffs, and with the lack of numbers on the team we were afraid of getting more guys injured," Stewartsville coach Kevin Heyde said. "If we can pull a win off at DeKalb next week, then we still have a shot at making the playoffs."

The Cardinals (1-5, 0-2 PVC) are having troubles on the field as well as off the field. They currently have 22 players on the team but only 16 dressed for the game due to injuries and ineligible players. Of the 16 who suited up, nine of the players are from nearby Osborn. Stewartville and Osborn agreed to a sports co-operative because they are neighboring towns, and Osborn has never had a football program.

Christian, however, is dealing with the injury bug as well but was able to pull through it with the help of Gregory.