It took a series or two for the Lakeville North defense to settle in.

But once they did, the Apple Valley Eagle’s offense struggled to move the football.

As much success as the Lakeville North defense had in the first two games of the season, the Panther defense completed its first shutout of the season with the 20-0 win over Apple Valley moving to 3-0 on the season.

After a disappointing game defensively against Shakopee, North rebounded the way they hoped to Friday with the shutout.

“We really broke down (Apple Valley’s) formations and the percentages they pass in each formation, so we can expect what they’re going to do on each play,” defensive end Carl Engwall said. “We end up knowing exactly what to do against teams.”

The Eagles attempted to use the read-option early in the first quarter. North’s defense didn’t blink as they stayed disciplined and shutdown the Eagles running attack. The Panthers took the read out of the read option when defenders Boyd Draeger and Dakota Toedter buried the quarterback as two other defenders stuffed the running back.

If Draeger and Toedter’s tackle wasn’t enough to shake up the Apple Valley quarterback, Engwall made a statement when he put the quarterback on his back the next play.

“We wanted to establish ourselves early in the game,” Engwall said. “(That includes) getting after the quarterback, making sure he’s not comfortable in the pocket, making him want to hand the ball off.

When the Eagles quarterback had the chance to throw, he did take advantage early in the game as Apple Valley completed several short passes that moved the chains.

But once the Panther defense figured out the Eagle’s passing game, safety Stuart Hamann took advantage. As the slant developed in front of Hamann, the senior safety jumped the route and took the ball 35 yards for the score.

To Engwall, the defense expects plays to come because of their level of discipline.

“When all 11 work together and each guy does his job, you don’t have to worry about making a play,” Engwall said. “You trust the guy to your left and your trust the guy to your right.”