FLORISSANT — The Hazelwood Central football team's season was at a crossroads after its loss to McCluer North in districts, but the Hawks were able to use that defeat to help them return to the Edward Jones Dome.

On Saturday, the defending Class 6 champions won their fifth consecutive game since that loss as Hazelwood Central defeated visiting Oakville 38-8 in the Class 6 semifinals and earned a spot in the Class 6 championship game on Friday night.

"I think the night and day difference has been our work ethic and focus at practice," Hazelwood Central coach Richard Nixon said of his team's loss to McCluer North. "It took us to stumble to really put some bite or teeth to the words that were being said on the practice field. … We weren't practicing with the game-like atmosphere that we like to create. That loss put our backs against the wall and it demanded perfection in practice. It demanded focus."

Hazelwood Central (12-1) will play Blue Springs (12-1) in the state championship game at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the Edward Jones Dome. Blue Springs defeated DeSmet 35-5 in the semifinals on Friday.

The Hawks jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead on Saturday as Spencer Davis returned the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown.

"I knew that we had to start off early to get this one in the books," Davis said. "As soon as I saw the ball the only thing that was in my mind was taking it to the house. I had some good blocks up front by my return team and it was an open shot for me to get to the end zone."

Hazelwood Central added a 6-yard touchdown run by quarterback Kerry Gibson in the first quarter and led 24-0 at halftime after a 32-yard field goal by Ryan Crandall and an 8-yard touchdown pass from Gibson to Jawyne Thomas in the second quarter.

Oakville (9-4), which was competing in the state semifinals for the first time in school history, didn't score until defensive back Paul Taylor sacked Gibson for a safety in the third quarter.

Hazelwood Central added touchdown runs by Tra Brown and Rodney Smith early in the fourth quarter to make it 38-2 and start the running clock. Oakville's lone touchdown came with 26 seconds remaining when quarterback Joe Plassmeyer threw a 5-yard scoring pass to Michael Cyliax.

"We did some things that we wanted to do to get to this point," Oakville coach Arlee Conners said. "It's just unfortunate when you get to this point you don't do what got you here."