The Edwardsville Tigers built another 42-point lead in a season opener, and this time they finished.

Behind five total touchdowns from All-State quarterback Kendall Abdur-Rahman, the state’s fourth-ranked Tigers cruised to a 63-0 victory over McCluer North inside the District 7 Sports Complex.

“We had to come in and had to finish. Last year we came out strong and didn’t finish,” said Abdur-Rahman, referring to last season’s 53-49 loss to Naperville North after leading 42-0 in the second quarter.

There was no comeback for the Stars (0-1) on Friday, as the Tigers (1-0) dominated in each facet of the game.

Edwardsville outgained McCluer North 382-159, including 289-70 in the first half. The second half was played with a running clock due to the mercy rule.

The Tigers also forced five turnovers, including interceptions by Jordan Lewis and Dionte Rodgers and a fumble recovery from Ryan Strohmeier, and committed just one.

“The kids did good and we executed pretty well. A lot of kids got to play. There were a lot of positives,” said EHS coach Matt Martin, who improved to 6-2 in season openers with the Tigers.

Abdur-Rahman opened the scoring on the first drive, slashing through the defense for a 46-yard touchdown run with 9:46 to play in the first quarter.

On Edwardsville’s first play after recovering a botched snap on a punt, Justin Johnson scored from 10 yards out for the 14-0 lead with 5:25 to go in the first.

“I was very excited to get out there. We’ve been working all summer for this,” said Johnson, who finished with 63 yards and two touchdowns on five carries.

Chase Moore, a 6-foot-3 wide receiver, wrestled in a six-yard touchdown pass from Abdur-Rahman on the next possession to extend the lead to 21-0 with 3:26 left in the first.

“That was amazing. That’s all I can say is amazing. It was a grown man’s catch,” Abdur-Rahman said.

After recovering the ensuing kickoff, the Tigers went up 28-0 on LaVontas Hairston’s 26-yard touchdown reception on fourth-and-9. It came with 1:39 to go in the first.

Edwardsville opened the second quarter with Johnson’s 50-yard touchdown run on the option, going up 35-0 with 11:33 left in the half.

“Everyone is focused on Kendall and he pitches the ball,” Johnson said. “The offensive line did an amazing job. They played like they’re experienced.”

Abdur-Rahman, who scored from eight yards out midway through the quarter, found a sprawling Hairston in the back of the end zone for a touchdown to push it to 49-0 at halftime.

“We picked up a trust over the summer,” Hairston said of his chemistry with Abdur-Rahman. “(On the catch) I tried to get under it and I just dove for it.”

Playing with a running clock in the second half, the Tigers picked up a 52-yard interception return for a touchdown by Rodgers in the third and a 63-yard touchdown run by backup quarterback Luke Oglesby in the fourth to finish out the scoring.

Abdur-Rahman finished with eight carries for 134 yards and two touchdowns. He was also 6-of-8 passing for 69 yards and three touchdowns.

The Tigers gained 313 yards on the ground. They averaged 14.7 yards per carry in the first half.

“It was a balanced attack. A lot of times it is about what the defense is trying to take away and other guys have to make plays,” Martin said.

After averaging 37.7 points last season, including eclipsing 40 points seven times, the Edwardsville offense did not punt on one possession.

Brendan Latham converted all nine extra points.

The Tigers scored on nine of 11 possessions with a fumble ending one and a kneeldown finishing the other.

The defense allowed just three plays of 10 or more yards.

EHS will travel to CBC at 7 p.m. on Aug. 31 for Week 2 action.

The Stars will be at home next Friday night as they will entertain the Bulldogs of Sikeston at McCluer North High School with a 4:15 pm start time. Sikeston defeated Vashon last week 64-0.