In his first start at quarterback, East Palestine sophomore Clark Rutledge accounted for five touchdowns in a 33-7 win over Shadyside on Thursday. (Morning Journal/Ron Firth)

SHADYSIDE — Sophomore Clark Rutledge accounted for five touchdowns in his first start at quarterback and the East Palestine defense took over from there Thursday.

The Bulldogs — with Rutledge throwing for four touchdowns and running for another — rolled over Shadyside, 40-7, in the season opener.

Rutledge threw three touchdown passes in the second quarter and ran for another in the third quarter to help the Bulldogs build a commanding 26-0 lead.

East Palestine first two scores came on consecutive offensive plays.

On the second play of the second quarter, RJ May scored on a 53-yard pass from Rutledge with a downfield block by Tanner Morrow.

May had a 32-yard punt return and, on the next play, hauled in a 30-yard touchdown pass from Rutledge.

The Bulldogs held the Tigers and took over at their own 49-yard line late in the second quarter. A scrambling Rutledge hit Braydon Plum for a 24-yard gain and then Rutledge threw his third touchdown pass of the quarter, hitting Morrow from 25 yards out to make it 20-0.

East Palestine converted two fourth-down defensive stops in the third quarter into touchdowns — a 1-yard run by Rutledge and a 31-yard run by Zach Schnelle, to up the lead to 33-0.

The Tigers were stopped at their own 20 on fourth down, setting up East Palestine’s final score — a 25-yard pass from Rutledge to Plum on a fourth-and-15 play.

Shadyside scored late on a 13-yard run by Ace Nelson.

Both teams play next Friday as East Palestine hosts Windham and Shadyside travels to Southern Local.

E. PALESTINE: 0-20-13-7–40

SHADYSIDE: 0- 0- 0-7– 7

SCORING

EP–RJ May 53 pass from Clark Rutledge (Nate Mead kick)

EP–RJ May 30 pass from Clark Rutledge (kick failed)

EP–Tanner Morrow 25 pass from Clark Rutledge (Nate Mead kick)

EP–Clark Rutledge 1 run (kick failed)

EP–Zach Schnelle 31 run (Nate Mead kick)

EP–Braydon Plum 25 pass from Clark Rutledge (Nate Mead kick)

SS–Ace Nelson 13 run (Kelsyn West kick)