St. Joseph Christian accomplished a lot in Friday night's regular season finale.

The Lions put on a dominating performance against visiting Southwest Livingston, wrapped up an undefeated district title and kept all of their main players healthy entering a sixth straight playoff trip. Christian built a big early lead behind five Southwest turnovers and allowed the starters to rest for the latter part of the first half in a 58-0 win at Christian Field.

The game was called at halftime.

For a team hindered by injuries much of the early season, Christian appears up to form for its preseason state championship expectations.

"We didn't want to overlook (Southwest), but we also knew we had an advantage," Christian senior David Welchert said. "It's great to be all healthy again, great to be back, and we're back in the swing of things."

Christian (8-2) made it a perfect 4-0 in District 2 play with a convincing victory.

Twelve different players recorded at least one carry, and three different quarterbacks attempted a pass. Daniel Gregory led the Lions with 68 yards on two carries, including one touchdown, while quarterback Luke Mathes had 45 yards on four carries, a score and a touchdown pass on his only attempt to tight end Cody Cornelius.

Stephen Gregory put up two touchdowns on only four carries off the bench. He finished with just 14 yards rushing.

"You never know how you're going to match up with another team," Christian coach Mark Juhl said. "So, year, I was really happy with the way that we played and the way things turned around. I think our guys did a good job; they stayed intense; they stayed focused.

"A lot of times you think you have an advantage, (and) you could come in not as focused. These guys, they didn't let that happen."

The Lions scored touchdowns on their first eight drives, using only 21 offensive plays. Southwest turnovers set up five of Christian's scores, three in the first quarter and the first two of the second quarter.

The Wildcats' first three drives ended in turnovers, the fourth on downs. Their final chance with the ball in the first quarter ended with quarterback Justin Lewis' second interception in as many pass attempts. Off the pick, Christian reserve running back Jordan Morrison's touchdown run and a 2-point pass put the Lions up 44-0 on the first play of the second quarter, and Southwest's Dylan Haney fumbled the ensuing kickoff.

Christian scored again two plays later.

"Our defense is coming together, and the turnovers definitely helped," said Welchert, a linebacker/fullback who scored Christian's first touchdown and added an interception and fumble recovery.

Despite the setback, Southwest finished with a 4-6 overall record, a 2-2 mark in district play and a finish in the top half of the Platte Valley Conference standings. The season marks one of the best for the Wildcats in recent memory.

Christian's run continues next Saturday in the 8-man quarterfinals when District 1 runner-up Hardin-Central travels to St. Joseph. Those two teams last met in a 2007 semifinal, a 32-28 win for Hardin-Central.

Christian reached the state championship game last year and remains focused on a return trip.

"I know its said that we have the easier road," Welchert said, "and it shows in the records that people have - Worth County, Mound City, Stanberry, North Andrew - everybody's on the other side. We may have the easier road, but we still have to play hard. And a state championship is the ultimate goal."