The Warren County Cyclones picked up their first victory since moving to Warrenton two weeks ago.

The Cyclones destroyed the East Central Missouri Eagles 62-8 on Saturday at the Black Hawk Middle School field. They improved to 7-4 and will embark on a two-game road trip, beginning this Saturday against the Sugar Creek Shockers.

“This is a big game, because if we win these next two, we’ll win the division,” said quarterback and team spokesman Mike McMullen.

Saturday’s rout was the second lopsided defeat the Cyclones have handed their Great Midwest League foe this season. And they did so without the services of starting running back Zack Abron, who was nursing a sports-related injury.

“That’s why it’s important to have so much depth on the team,” said McMullen. “You never know what can come up to keep a guy out of a game.”

A trio of swift-footed ball carriers combined for 240 yards on the ground, as the Cyclones rushed for six of their eight touchdowns.

Warren County jumped ahead 30-0 after the first quarter, led by Daniel Lester’s 93 yards on just five carries.

Despite the Cyclones’ offensive fireworks, the defense established its presence early as well.

Bill Kaatman followed a sack with a fumble recovery, and Warren County’s subsequent score seemed to take any remaining life out of East Central Missouri.

Facing fourth-and-eight near midfield, the Cyclones decided to gamble and backup quarterback Steven Stuckey hit Keenan Miller for a 28-yard touchdown reception to push Warren County ahead 22-0.

The defense interrupted another East Central drive, as Jarmelle Frazier picked off a pass and Justin Robinson rumbled in for a 38-yard score moments later.

“Our defense always sets the tempo,” said McMullen. “I go into every game thinking that if we can score 21 points, we’re going to win. Our defense is usually dominant and teams cannot run on us at all.”

The Eagles finally got on the board in the second quarter but never managed to score an offensive touchdown. Their points came on a fumble recovery for a touchdown and a safety, as the Cyclones’ line refused to budge.

Warren County led 38-8 at halftime.

Broce scored his first-ever touchdown as a Cyclone on a goal-line plunge early in the third quarter.

Warren County held a 56-8 edge heading into the final period.

Five different backs scored, including Justin Broce, a 2004 graduate of Warrenton High School.

Robinson needed just six carries to rush for 43 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Cory Buchanan added 50 yards and a score on six carries, while Miller carried the ball twice for 30 yards.

“Lester and Robinson stepped in and did a great job,” said McMullen. “I just wish we could get past that 100-yard mark. All our backs had a great game.”

Warren County was without several of its starters, including first string quarterback Mike McMullen, who had started every game dating back to the 2004 season. A decision was made to start Stuckey, who finished nine of 16 with 101 yards.

McMullen led a couple of series in the second half, but by that time the Cyclones running game had inflicted enough damage.

He says it was gratifying to see the entire team get to take part in a game that was never in contention.

“It was nice for everybody to get to play and get that bad taste out of our mouths (from last week’s loss),” said McMullen.

The Cyclones will play at Columbia on Aug. 14 and are trying to schedule another home game for Aug. 21. They potentially have four regular season game remaining before postseason play begins.