ADAIR VILLAGE - Santiam Christian has leaned on its defense early in the season.

But the Eagles look to have plenty of offense to carry the load as well.

Friday, Santiam Christian had no problem moving the ball on the ground or in the air.

Matt Scruggs rushed for 106 yards and Brian Kessi passed for 225 and three touchdowns in a

23-6 PacWest Conference home win against Creswell.

Santiam Christian (5-1, 3-0 PacWest) held Creswell to just 31 yards - all rushing - in the first half in taking a 10-0 lead to halftime.

The Eagles had an answer for Creswell's misdirection running game, pushing the Bulldogs to 14 carries for those 31 yards.

"We worked hard in practice and watched film, so we knew what was coming," Scruggs said.

Creswell (2-4, 0-3) didn't reach the Eagles' half of the field until its first drive of the second half.

"Our defense is our backbone," Eagles coach David Lange said. "Eleven guys to the ball and they've really bought in. I think they're the reason for our success thus far this year."

Santiam Christian scored in its first possession of the second half on a 61-yard pass from Kessi to Trevor Herrold.

It was Herrold's first of two touchdowns. Kessi and Herrold connected again early in the fourth quarter for a 31-yard score.

Herrold finished the game 3-107, Derek Howerton caught six balls for 73 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown from Kessi in the second quarter.

Jeremy Burrows made a 24-yard field goal for the Eagles' first score and made two of three PATs.

Scruggs credited his offensive line for helping him on his 25 carries.

"They do a real good job," he said. "They're what get me the yards."

Scruggs carried most of the rushing load. Ryan Hansen was the Eagles' second leading rusher with 12 yards on four carries.

"We were a pretty balance attack tonight," Lange said. "Our guys are really stepping up and learning the systems.

"We're just finding our rhythm."

Santiam Christian 23, Creswell 6

Creswell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0 0 6 0 - 6

Santiam Christian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 7 6 7 - 23

First quarter

SC: Jeremy Burrows 24 FG, 5:25

Second quarter

SC: Derek Howerton 27 pass from Brian Kessi (Burrows kick), 5:56

Third quarter

SC: Trevor Herrold 61 pass from Kessi (kick blocked), 10:06

C: Zach Maillard 8 pass from Alex Gabrio (run failed), 2:52

Fourth quarter

SC: Herrold 31 pass from Kessi (Burrows kick), 11:46

Individual statistics

Rushing: Creswell, Painter 3-60, Maillard 8-30, Keebler 5-4, Garcia 4-3, Beltran 1-1, Gabrio 2-(minus-3), England 6-(minus-6); Santiam Christian: Scruggs 25-106, Hansen 4-12, Hellesto 5-9, Kessi 1-3, Petersen 1-1, Mason 2-(minus-3), Team 2-(minus-17).

Passing: Creswell, Gabrio 5-16-0-75; Santiam Christian Kessi 11-20-1-225

Receiving: Creswell, Beltran 2-43, Maillard 2-25, Kounovsky 1-7; Santiam Christian: Herrold 3-107, Howerton 6-73, Hansen 2-51, Hellesto 1-4