By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

Published: Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Updated: Friday, October 30, 2009 12:04 PM CDT

IMPERIAL, Mo. — Perilous field conditions and a 36-minute pregame delay could not derail an inspired North County football team, which did everything possible to improve its Class 4 playoff prospects on Thursday night.

A dominant rushing attack netted touchdowns on five consecutive drives before intermission, and the Raiders rested their starters throughout the second half of a convincing 43-8 win over Windsor.

Senior Andrew Ross compiled a season-high 183 yards on 14 carries, and converted quarterback Seth Caldwell added 142 yards on the ground with three scores in the victory.

North County (3-7) bounced back from a six-game losing streak to finish 2-1 in district play, and will secure its first postseason berth since 2004 unless De Soto can defeat Festus tonight by eight points or more.

The Raiders committed just one penalty while their defense forced the only two turnovers on the evening. Windsor (1-9) was stopped twice inside the red zone, including the initial series of the contest.

Ross began his strong performance with a 50-yard burst up the middle, and Caldwell tiptoed between three defenders on a fourth-and-goal play from the Owls’ 7, capping a nine-play opening march.

North County recovered the ensuing onside kick and quickly cashed in with a 23-yard scoring run by Caldwell, who also snagged the subsequent 2-point pass from Jake Smith for a 14-0 advantage.

A promising drive ended for Windsor when an errant option pitch was recovered by Raiders linebacker Spencer Tiefenauer, and Caldwell broke free along the right sideline two plays later for a 72-yard touchdown scamper.

Ross found the endzone from 11 yards out after Windsor was flagged twice on personal fouls midway through the second quarter, and Caleb Boyer scored on a fake extra-point to created a 29-0 margin.

The Raiders attempted their first pass that was not a two-point conversion play on another fourth-down snap just before halftime, as Smith hit Caldwell for a 27-yard completion.

Aaron Parker then caught a 7-yard slant from Caldwell with two seconds left to make it 35-0, and Brian Jaco ensured a running clock for the remainder of the game with a 74-yard interception return in the third quarter.

Joe Swofford made six tackles and Boyer matched Josh Frink with five each for North County.

Windsor quarterback Ethan Schlechte finished 9-of-19 overall for 108 yards, and lobbed an 11-yard touchdown pass to senior teammate Cole Mankunas with 4:03 remaining.

Tyler Hearst rushed for 112 yards and Kyle Cotter made six receptions for 88 yards, as the Owls suffered their ninth consecutive loss.

North County  21  14   8   0 - 43

Windsor   0   0   0   8 - 8

First quarter:

NC (6-0) - Caldwell 7-yd run (Kick blocked), 4:49

NC (14-0) - Caldwell 23-yd run (Smith pass to Caldwell), 3:49

NC (21-0) - Caldwell 72-yd run (Ruby kick), 0:16

Second quarter:

NC (29-0) - Ross 11-yd run (Boyer run), 6:24

NC (35-0) - Parker 7-yd pass from Caldwell (Kick missed), 0:02

Third quarter:

NC (43-0) - Jaco 74-yd interception return (Boyer run), 3:47

WIND (43-8) - Mankunas 11-yd pass from Schlechte (Schlechte run), 4:03