For a brief moment Friday at Chaffee, Red Devils fans had something to cheer about, and the players had reason for hope.

But a penalty erased Chaffee freshman Zach McDaniel's 90-yard interception return for a touchdown, which would have made the score 28-13 late in the second quarter. Scott City scored on the following play en route to a 55-14 win on Chaffee's homecoming.

"If that would have been a clean pick, that could have helped them out a bit," Scott City running back Matt Schaefer said.

The penalty was one of five costly first-half mistakes that led to 28 Scott City points. After Chaffee quarterback Jeff Daugherty threw his first of two interceptions, Schaefer went 30 yards on the Rams' second offensive play for his first touchdown of the night.

"Coach told me I'd be the fastest person on the field, so I knew I could bounce it outside," Schaefer said.

Schaefer's 30-yard touchdown run was one of four touchdowns in the game. In the first half alone, Schaefer had 150 yards rushing on seven carries.

"Matt's a good little back, but we haven't changed anything offensively since the first day of practice," Scott City coach Jackie Johnson said.

The Rams offense was full of big plays in the first half. Schaefer had three rushes for 20 yards or more, and quarterback Luke McClellan had 125 yards passing on only two completions. Scott City's third touchdown came on a 91-yard touchdown pass to Jason Schenimann.

"We executed the offense tonight," Johnson said. "When you execute the offense you're going to have big plays."

The Rams took a 34-6 lead into halftime and went back to work in the third. Schaefer put up another 70 yards in the third quarter, and McClellan threw two touchdown strikes to Ryan Glastetter to push the score to 55-6.

"They were ready to play for this game," Johnson said. "I hope they have this intensity the rest of the year."

Chaffee had one last bright spot in the game when Chris Hanback scored from a yard out for the Red Devils' final score. Hanback's touchdown was set up by a 47-yard run from senior Nick Powderly.

For the game Schaefer rushed for 221 yards, a career best. McClellan finished 5-for-6 for 160 yards and three touchdowns.

"The line did a hell of a job blocking tonight," Schaefer said.

Chaffee finished the game with five turnovers, all of which led to Scott City scores. Powderly led the offense with 72 yards rushing and three receptions for 27 yards.

Scott City will be home Friday for its homecoming game against Park Hills Central.

"We're sitting 2-3, and we feel like we should have a better record," Johnson said. "We're preparing for the next five games and for district play."

Scott City's 55 points were the most points it has scored since a 55-0 win over Crystal City in 1999. That was also the last year Scott City made it to the playoffs.

"Hopefully," Schaefer said, "this will get our momentum going into homecoming."

jjoffray@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 171