OK, so Drew Newhart wasn't Homecoming King, placing second to Luke Akers on Saturday.

No big deal.

Newhart instead ruled the field during Missouri Western's homecoming game, throwing for four touchdowns and running for another in a 36-21 victory against No. 14 Central Missouri.

Newhart continued his dominance in matchups with Central's Eric Czernieski, the player he bested in Cameron High School's state championship game four years ago against Montgomery City.

He's now made it four in a row, including three victories on the college level, as Western posted its eighth straight win against the Mules in the series.

Newhart opened the game's scoring with a 1-yard run, then passed for touchdowns of 41, 13, 16 and 4 yards to four different receivers as the 15th-ranked Griffons (7-1, 5-1 MIAA) further improved their playoff chances.

"It all started up front with the O-line," said Newhart, who threw for 246 yards. "They did an excellent job blocking for me, and the receivers caught the ball well. Four different receivers - that's going to be pretty tough to cover. You've got to watch out for everybody, and not just one player."

Newhart completed passes to seven different receivers during the game. Western coach Jerry Partridge said that was a product of his quarterback's knowledge of the offense.

"He understands what our scheme is, he understands what the coverages are, he understands what people are doing to us and he knows where to put the football," Partridge said.

Newhart was able to do just about anything he wanted in the first half, hitting on 13 of 16 attempts, with his only incompletions on a couple of tips and a slightly overthrown ball that Cedric Houston nearly hauled in. He finished the game 18-for-25 with one interception that led to a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Anthony Stewart.

Newhart and the Griffons dealt Central (6-2, 4-2) a significant blow late in the first half. They drove 80 yards in the final 1 minute, 36 seconds, with Newhart connecting with tight end Kip Peters on a 16-yard touchdown pass with 3 seconds remaining. Newhart competed four passes in that eight-play drive, including a 24-yarder to Tyron Crockum and a 26-yarder to Adam Clausen.

In addition, Newhart threw an apparent 9-yard touchdown pass to Ferrell McGhee that was nullified by a major penalty. But Newhart completed his next two passes to put Western up 26-7 at intermission.

Western held a 3 1/2-minute advantage in time of possession and pushed the margin to 16 1/2 minutes by the final buzzer.

"Our third-down execution was great," Partridge said. "Drew just made play after play. There were different receivers all over the place making plays."

Houston, McGhee, Thomas Hodges and Peters all hauled in one touchdown toss. Brad Beckwith added a 29-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to give Western its largest lead at 36-14.

The defense had one of its better games of the season, holding the Mules - who entered the game averaging 34.5 points per contest - to just 14 points until a late drive against a unit primarily comprised of Western's reserves.

"I would say this is one of our most complete games in all phases," said linebacker Sean Whiters, who recorded five tackles and combined with Madget to hold speedy wide receiver Bobby Guillory to his first negative-yardage rush of the season.

But even Whiters had to tip his hat to the offense for its ability to control the football.

"Our offense was pretty much dominant," the senior said. "It seemed like I was on the sidelines for most of the game."