C-NS took its turn against one of New Jersey's top programs and kept the game scoreless in the first quarter, but the parity would not last.
Clifton converted twice and built a 14-0 lead in the second period. The Northstars countered with Jamar Ballard's eight-yard TD run, but the Mustangs extended the margin to 20-6 by halftime.
All through the second half, C-NS found itself unable to move much against Clifton's defense. It made just one big play, Jaxon Razmovski's 75-yard scoring strike to Mason Ellis in the fourth quarter.
Now into Class AA competition, C-NS would go to Nottingham on Friday and beat the Bulldogs 37-8, a day after Liverpool met Henninger and rolled past the Black Knights 45-18.
Continuing to employ a pair of quarterbacks, the Northstars saw both of them flourish against Nottingham as Anthony Testa scored on a pair of short runs in the first half.
Razmovski, meanwhile, threw TD passes to Ellis and Vinny Latanzio as part of a 23-point second-quarter outburst. C-NS's defense got in the fun with a safety as the margin grew to 30-0 by halftime.
Jason Bartlett added a third-quarter touchdown and the Northstars were able to preserve the shutout until the fourth quarter, when the reserves were in. C-NS hosts Utica Proctor this Friday at Bragman Stadium.
