(Omaha World Herald)Council Bluffs St. Albert put all of its playoff experience to use Monday night in a 35-0 Class 1-A football playoff win over Mount Ayr.

Mount Ayr entered the quarterfinal game with a 10-0 record, but St. Albert was making its ninth consecutive appearance in the second round.

After the Falcons scored their fifth touchdown early in the third quarter, it was clear they were on their way to becoming one of just three teams to qualify for the state semifinals four consecutive seasons. Harlan has an opportunity to join St. Albert and West Des Moines Valley in that elite club tonight.

Mount Ayr had won its first playoff game in school history less than a week ago - a 3-0 decision over North Polk. But the Raiders were no match for the 9-2 Falcons before an estimated 2,500 at St. Albert.

After adjusting to Mount Ayr's defensive scheme, the Falcons turned a 7-0 first quarter lead into a 28-0 halftime advantage. Running back Jeremy Schieffer racked up 183 yards on just 12 carries, including touchdown runs of 66 and 21 yards.

"At halftime we knew there were four plays on offense and four plays on defense that were the difference in the half," Mount Ayr coach Delwyn Showalter said. "Their speed just allowed them to make those big plays. They have a lot of speed everywhere."

Running back Douglas Moran opened the scoring with a 4-yard run to cap a nine-play, 73-yard drive after it appeared Mount Ayr was going to stuff the Falcons' running game.

Falcons quarterback Nolan Batten also had another solid game. After throwing for more than 150 yards in last week's 35-0 win over Logan-Magnolia, Batten was 5 of 8 for 92 yards before leaving the game after his second touchdown.

Following his 1-yard sneak in the second quarter that gave St. Albert a 21-0 lead, his 7-yard TD run around left end put the mercy rule into effect and kept the clock running for the rest of the game.

Both Showalter and Falcons coach Jim Duggan agreed that St. Albert's playoff experience was a decisive factor in the outcome.

"We were in the same spot he was in in 1998," Duggan said. "We finally got out of the first round, then lost big in the quarterfinals. Our kids knew what to expect.

"I think just being able to run the football straight at them made a big difference. It loosened up a lot of stuff with the play-action pass. I thought they had more speed, but we looked quick."

Mount Ayr (10-1).........................0 0 0 0- 0
At CB St. Albert (9-2).........................7 21 7 0-42
• SA: Doug Moran 4 run (CJ Gradoville kick)
• SA: Jeremy Schieffer 66 run (Gradoville kick)
• SA: Nolan Batten 1 run (Gradoville kick)
• SA: Schieffer 21 run (Gradoville kick)
• SA: Batten 7 run (Gradoville kick
• A: 2,500 (est.)

Copyright ©2006 Steve Beideck Omaha World-Herald®.