STOCKBRIDGE - With its first three drives of the game, Rio's football team washed away the sour taste left from last season's heartbreaking playoff loss to Black Hawk.

Rio senior running back Matt Selje ran for three touchdowns and sophomore Danny Strause added two scores as the Vikings opened the 2008 season Thursday with a decisive 43-0 shutout over host Stockbridge.

"We have the motto of unfinished business, so it certainly was a good way to start," said Rio coach Dan Strause, referring to the Vikings' goal of advancing past the second round of the WIAA postseason for the first time in school history. Thursday's all-around solid win was a big step toward that goal.

Despite missing five of its top eight offensive linemen to injuries and ineligibility, Rio (1-0) pounded the Indians defense for 341 rushing yards on 33 attempts. The Vikings scored on their first three drives to take a 23-0 lead less than 10 minutes into the game.

Rio's defense didn't allow the Indians a first down until midway through the second quarter and forced Stockbridge into three-and-outs each of their first three drives.

Selje scored on the fourth play from scrimmage, a 4th-and-1 play on Rio's opening drive. Out of Rio's deceptive double-wing offense, he took the handoff up the middle before breaking to the outside and out-running the Stockbridge defense as Rio took an 8-0 lead.

Selje struck again on Rio's next drive, this time taking a counter play to the outside where senior Dannen Baillies threw a block that cleared the way for Selje's second touchdown in under five minutes.

Sophomore Robbie Fugiel made it 3-for-3 for Rio's offense to open the game as he took a handoff up the middle and broke three tackles in the open field before falling into the end zone for a 27-yard TD that put Rio up 23-0 with 2:27 remaining in the first quarter.

Strause credited his starting offensive line of Baillies, Rodger Williams, Trevor Reierson, Tom Kehoe and Derric Francis for replacing the usual starters without missing a beat.

"They just stepped up," said Selje of the team's makeshift offensive line. "Our offense is pretty simple but they did a great job. I can't compliment them more."

Danny Strause all but put the game away midway through the second quarter when he intercepted a short pass from Stockbridge quarterback Michael Klein and ran it back 50 yards for the touchdown.

Selje broke a 19-yard run for his third score of the game with 4:06 remaining in the third quarter and Danny Strause capped the scoring by taking a fourth-quarter handoff up the middle and scampering 76 yards for his second touchdown of the day. Strause finished with a game-high 140 yards on 10 carries.

Rio quarterback Alex Brewer may not have lit up the stat sheet (1-of-2 for 15 yards and one interception), but Strause said his deception on handoffs and carrying out fakes was another key to the Vikings' attack.

"That's a big key to this offense," said Strause.

Stockbridge (0-1) never really threatened Rio's defense, with its best scoring opportunity coming on its final drive of the game. The Indians had 1st-and-goal from the 6-yard line, but the Vikings defense stuffed a pair of runs and an incompletion on fourth down.

Alex Brewer and Tom Kehoe each had a pair of sacks in the game.

For Rio, this season is a chance to continue the ascension of its football program after reaching the playoffs for the first time in school history in 2006 and going to the second round in 2007.

The Vikings return to the field at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5 for a non-conference game at home vs. Maranatha Baptist.

RIO 43, STOCKBRIDGE 0

Rio ................................23 7 7 6 - 43

Stockbridge .......................0 0 0 0 - 0

Rio - Selje 28 run (Selje run)

Rio - Selje 25 run (Fugiel run)

Rio - Fugiel 27 run (Gonzalez kick)

Rio - Strause 50 interception return (Gonzalez kick)

Rio - Selje 19 run (Gonzalez kick)

Rio - Strause 76 run (kick failed)

TEAM STATISTICS

First downs - R 10, S 4. Rushing (Att-Yds.) - R 33-341, S 19-41. Passing yards - R 15, S 49. Passes (Comp.-Att.-Int.) - R 2-1-1, S - 10-5-1. Fumbles-lost - R 1-1, S 1-0. Penalties-yards - R 3-25, S 3-15.

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Rushing: R - Strause 10-140, Selje 10-112, Fugiel 9-83; S - Ecker 14-41. Passing: R - Brewer 1-2-1, 15; S - Klein 5-10-1, 49. Receiving: R - Selje 1-15; S - Ecker 2-29.