For The Dialog
WILMINGTON – Concord looked to be in control of Saturday night’s game against Salesianum at sold-out Baynard Stadium, as its defense stopped the Sals cold in the first half. But No. 2 Salesianum rWORD at halftime, storming back for a 21-7 victory.
The fifth-ranked Raiders, who thrashed Dover the previous week, took advantage of an early turnover to take a quick lead. Brian Dennis scored on a 17-yard run with 7:44 to play in the first quarter. His score came after quarterback Austin Coughenour kept the drive alive with a 16-yard completion on fourth and 15.
The Sals could not get anything started offensively in the first two quarters. On their first 13 offensive plays, Sallies had minus-25 yards. Finally, on their final series of the first half, the team found some offense. Evander Blue chewed up some yardage on the ground, while quarterback Garrett Cannon hit Jake Sherlock with a 40-yard pass. Unfortunately, the Sals could not capitalize, as a 38-yard field-goal attempt went wide right.
Salesianum tied the game at 7 on its first possession of the second half on a 19-yard touchdown run by Colby Reeder. The next drive was more of the same. Needing six yards on a fourth down, Cannon hit Sherlock for a 27-yard touchdown with 2:59 to go in the third.
A 42-yard punt return by Jeremy Ryan set Salesianum up at the Concord 8-yard line early in the final quarter. Two plays later, Reeder took it in again to make the score 21-7, which would hold up.
Salesianum (2-1) finished with 297 total yards while holding the Raiders to 198. Sherlock had four receptions for 119 yards, and Reeder carried 17 times for 70 yards and the two scores. The Sals will hit the road to meet Glen Mills (Pa.) on Friday night at 7 p.m.
Concord (1-2) returns home for a 10:30 a.m. meeting against Charter.
