Jeremy Schieffer ran for two first-half touchdowns and Nolan Batten fired two second half scoring strikes to lead St Albert to a 28-14 homecoming win over Class 1A District 1 rival Audubon at Al Leber Field Friday.

Schieffer went 46 yards on the third play of the game and 15 yards around end just before half to give the Falcons a 14-0 halftime lead.

Blake Asberry picked off a Batten pass in the first quarter and returned it 30 yards, flattening several Falcons in the process before being run out of bounds at the 50-yard line.

The Wheeler drive stalled at the 25 after the first of three huge fourth down stops the Falcons would record on the night.

"Our defense did a nice job making reads and filling holes," said Falcon coach Jim Duggan. "Give them credit for turning up the heat in the second half."

Audubon put the pressure on St. Albert immediately in the second half.

The Wheelers put together a six minute, 13 play, 77-yard drive to open the second half, culminating in a one yard plunge by Brett Christensen.

In fact, Audubon only allowed the Falcons to run three offensive plays in the third quarter, the second of which was Batten's 51-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Tucker.

"It such a quick score," said Duggan. "Our defense was a little tired and they had to go right back out."

Down 21-6, Audubon responded with another long drive only to be stopped on fourth down inside the Falcon five with seconds to go in the quarter, but St. Albert fumbled the ball back to Audubon on its first play from scrimmage.

Christensen scored his second touchdown of the night three plays later and caught a two-point conversion pass to bring the Wheelers within seven.

"Credit their defense, they didn't quit," said Duggan. "They made us earn it and our guys were equal to the challenge."

It only took Batten five plays to find John O' Malley for a 30 yard score to put the game out of reach.

Schieffer wrapped up the night with 121 yards rushing for the Falcons, while Asberry paced the Wheelers with 105.

"This is the first game of the year that Audubon has had their whole team on the field," said Duggan. "They are a really good team."

Batten wrapped up the night eight out of 16 passing for 170 yards.

"His experience is really starting to show," said Duggan. "They were hitting him hard all night and he kept his cool and delivered in the clutch."

St. Albert improves to 3-3 with a trip to Tri-Center scheduled for next Friday.

Audubon 0 0 6 8 - 14

St. Albert 7 7 7 7 - 28

Records: St. Albert (3-1, 3-3), Audubon (0-3, 0-6).

Ratings: SWI: St. Albert 10th (A-1A-2A).
Matt Prieto, Daily Nonpareil