WAVERLY - In the words of Clear Lake head coach Fred Wieck, the group that gets the offense going for his second-ranked Class 3A football team was somewhat in question going into preseason camp.

"We really didn't know what to expect from our line," he admitted. "They aren't as big, size-wise, as some groups we've had up front in the past. However, they are athletic, quick and strong. That's the combination that has made them successful.

"They helped get our halfbacks into space tonight," he added. "We also ask our backs to block in our offense, and we got that done, too. It makes for some tough match-ups when you have a 135-pound halfback going up against a larger defensive back, but the guys just keep getting the job done."

His front four was at peak performance Friday night in a second successive 56-0 District 3 victory, this one over Waverly-Shell Rock. The Clear Lake offense picked up 294 yards on the ground and 82 through the air.

The rushing attack was led by the combination of senior quarterback Jake Kopriva (seven carries, 54 yards) and junior halfback Elliot Neuberger (nine carries, 67 yards). Junior halfback Paxton Farmer, senior fullback Casey Schwitchtenberg and junior fullback Brent Tarr combined for four rushing touchdowns. And Kopriva was just as solid through the air, going 5 of 9 for 68 yards and one touchdown.

"Our team just keeps working hard, which is what we want to see," Wieck said. "They are looking to make this year be a special one."

W-SR coach Mark Hubbard's squad did see some positives come out of a fourth consecutive defeat. Junior quarterback Jackson Litterer hit on 8 of 17 pass attempts for 70 yards and had other aerials just miss their marks for possible big yardage. He also rushed for 23 yards to lead the ground game.

"(Jackson) threw some nice balls," Hubbard said. "We had some opportunities to make some big plays on the ones that missed, and you can't do that when you're playing a team like Clear Lake. I'm impressed by what I've seen from him, progression-wise, in a game and a half, though.

"Overall, I think the guys will come back Monday and get ready to work hard towards getting a win next weekend," he added. "With this substate set-up, we still have an opportunity to do something if we continue to work hard."

The Go-Hawks had three first-half drives and one second-half march go into Clear Lake territory. Their opening series had the Clear Lake defense guessing, but the visitors stopped the march just inside the 40 to force a punt. The Lions took the ball and went 81 yards for the opening score, converting two third downs in the process.

Two plays after the kickoff, a pass attempt bounced into the hands of Clear Lake senior linebacker Harrison Webb, and he raced 40 yards for the touchdown for a 14-0 lead. Four second-quarter touchdowns made it a 42-0 halftime lead.

"That interception really hurt us," Hubbard said. "We had been pleased with the way we started and hoped the second drive would be the same way. However, Clear Lake made a great play. It was part of them firing on all cylinders tonight."

Clear Lake 14 28 7 7 - 56

North Fayette 0 0 0 0 - 0

CL - Farmer four run (kick failed)

CL - Webb 40 interception return (Farmer run)

CL - Tarr 1 run (D.J. Wilhelm kick)

CL - Webb 29 pass from Kopriva (Wilhelm kick)

CL - Tarr 4 run (Wilhelm kick)

CL - Schwichtenberg 36 run (Wilhelm kick)

CL - Neuberger 4 run (Wilhelm kick)

CL - Nick Kruger 9 run (Wilhelm kick)

TEAM STATISTICS

CL W-SR

First downs 27 7

Rushes-yards 45-294 20-61

Passing yards 82 70

Comp-Att-Int 7-12-0 8-18-2

Return yards 91 130

Penalties-yards 8-55 1-5

Fumbles-lost 0-0 3-2

Punts-avg. 0-0 4-26.2

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing

CLEAR LAKE - Neuberger 9-67, Kopriva 7-54, Justin Mikesell 5-49, Farmer 2-33, Schwichtenberg 5-43, Grant Mickelson 4-19, Tarr 3-14, Kruger 4-15, Tont Sherman 1-18, Simone Forghieri 1-6, Nick Reuscher 3-9, Jason Sholly 1-7

WAVERLY-SHELL ROCK - Collin Heidemann 4-13, Litterer 3-23, Josh DeBower 4-7, Joseph Miller 2-6, Blake Willson 2-7, Anthony Walther 2-3, Brandon Stegall 1-(-1), Jordan Miller 1-(-6)

Passing

CLEAR LAKE - Kopriva 5-9-0, 68 yards; Kruger 2-3-0, 14 yards.

WAVERLY-SHELL ROCK - Litterer 8-17-2, 70 yards; Matt Mummelthei 0-1-0.

Receiving

CLEAR LAKE - Schwichtenberg 2-24, Webb 1-29, Kruger 1-10, Alex Uhlenhopp 1-5, Sholly 1-8, Farmer 1-6.

WAVERLY-SHELL ROCK - Eric Larson: 2-22, Willson 2-18, Walther 1-14, Christopher Poesch 1-10, Steggall 1-5, Grant Young 1-1.