MCCANDLESS TWP — P.J. Fulmore was aware Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic's football team hadn't scored any points in the first half.

But Avonworth hadn't either.

When Fulmore saw the Antelopes come back on the field Friday night at Stone Field in North Park, he knew the Trojans were on the right path.

On North Catholic's first drive after halftime, Fulmore carried the ball 11 times, including an 8-yard touchdown run, on a 13-play drive that chewed up nearly six minutes. Fulmore finished a game-high 206 rushing yards in the Trojans' 28-0 Black Hills Conference win.

“We were wearing them down and wearing them down,” Fulmore said. “After halftime, we saw them walk out and it looked like we wore them down, they were all tired. ... If we limit mistakes, I don't think anyone can stop us.”

Winning gave North Catholic (7-0, 6-0) sole possession of first place and in the driver's seat to win its third straight conference title.

North Catholic won its 23rd straight game and picked up its second shutout of the season.

The Trojans blanked Chartiers-Houston 49-0 in Week 2.

The Antelopes, who were without quarterback Zach Chandler, lost starting lineman Devon Rice and Justin Gross to injuries in the second quarter. Starting running back Jamal Hughley, who finished with 25 yards rushing on nine carries, injured his ankle in the first quarter.

“That was a big factor in our play calling,” Avonworth coach Duke Johncour said. “Losing him in the first quarter was a big loss. I think if we're healthy we give them a good game.”

For a half, the Antelopes hung tough and had the game in a scoreless deadlock. Avonworth (6-1, 5-1) just couldn't move the ball.

Avonworth finished with 108 yards of total offense. Josh Drwal led the Antelopes in passing (38 yards) and rushing (36).

Not having to gameplan for Chandler at quarterback made things easier for North Catholic coach Bob Ravenstahl.

“To be honest, their quarterback being out helped. They weren't the team that they were three or four weeks ago,” Ravenstahl said. “That had an impact for sure. We knew we had to stop the run because the passing game wasn't what it was three weeks ago.”

Fulmore's first touchdown seemed to get the Trojans moving.

North Catholic forced a three-and-out and got the ball back on the Avonworth 40. Four plays later, Trojans quarterback Adam Sharlow scored on a 4-yard run.

Drwal fumbled on the next play and it was recovered by North Catholic's Keith Wells. Jerome Turner, who finished with 71 yards rushing and two scores, capped the drive with a 7-yard touchdown run with 1:59 left in the third.

“We thought if we kept pounding it, it would ultimately lead to success,” Ravenstahl said. “That's what happened in the second half.”

North Catholic finished with 393 total yards, including 359 on the ground.

The Antelopes best scoring chance game in the fourth quarter. Avonworth moved the ball to the Trojan 5 before Drwal had a pass intercepted by linebacker Thadeus Benson.

“We never want to give up points, whether it's in the first quarter or fourth quarter,” Benson said. “It's important we always play hard. We never want to play hard.”

North Catholic was happy to pass its first test.

“It's great. You see all these people here to watch the game,” Fulmore said. “It's a great game, we have a rivalry with them. To come out and beat them like we did is amazing because they are a great team too.”