For a half, the Sikeston defense seemed to have the answers for McCluer Northís talented roster of athletes.
Trailing only 6-0 at the half, the Bulldogs were hanging right with the suburban St. Louis school.
But a quarterback change by the Stars signaled a turning of the tide as McCluer North was off and running to a 36-0 victory at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium on Friday night.
The Sikeston Bulldogs run onto the field before their game with McCluer North Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
McCluer North's Travon Springfield is tripped up by Sikeston's Joseph Heckemeyer Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
Sikeston's Gage Rolwing (9) and Seth Copeland tackle McCluer North's Chase Harris Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
Sikeston's Gage Rolwing is tripped up by McCluer North's Bakale Harris Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
Sikeston's Keon Graham is wrapped up by McCluer North's Bradley Woodard Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
Sikeston quarterback Gage Rolwing takes a breather while waiting for a play call from the sideline against McCluer North Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
Sikeston's Lontas McClinton tries to turn the corner against McCluer North Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
Sikeston Superintendent Dr. Tony Robinson (right) poses with Steve Borgsmiller at the Honor Wall induction ceremony Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
Sikeston Superintendent Dr. Tony Robinson (right) poses with Pat Taylor at the Honor Wall induction ceremony Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
Sikeston Superintendent Dr. Tony Robinson (right) poses with Libby Caskey at the Honor Wall induction ceremony Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
Sikeston Superintendent Dr. Tony Robinson (right) poses with Sally Lape at the Honor Wall induction ceremony Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
New Sikeston Public Safety Director James McMillen tosses the coin before the Sikeston/McCluer North football game Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
Sikeston Superintendent Dr. Tony Robinson (right) poses with Wanda Throop at the Honor Wall induction ceremony Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
Sikeston Superintendent Dr. Tony Robinson (right) poses with Austin Chaney who accepted for Madison Chaeny, at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
Sikeston Superintendent Dr. Tony Robinson (right) poses with JT Jones at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
Dr. Tony Robinson (right) poses with Kevin Self at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
Members of Sikeston Department of Public Safety were honored at Friday night's football game against McCluer North.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
The 2013-14 Sikeston cheerleading team was honored during the Honor Wall ceremony Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
Sikeston's Gage Rolwing gets past McCluer North's Chase Harris Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
Sikeston's Gage Rolwing gets past McCluer North's Chase Harris Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)
Sikeston's Seth Copeland (58) talks to teammate Aeneas Moore against McCluer North Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
McCluer North's Travon Springfield breaks free for a big gain against Sikeston Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
Sikeston's Brian Jasper (27) and Daniel Lawrence (3) take down McCluer North's Nykel Day Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
Sikeston's Gage Rolwing (9) and Lontas McClinton (5) try to come up with a fumbled handoff against McCluer North Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
Sikeston's Gage Rolwing (9) tries to jump on a fumble against McCluer North Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium.David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
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