For The Dialog
WILMINGTON – Top-ranked William Penn hit the road Saturday night and defeated No. 2 Salesianum, 16-10, earning their first win over the Sals in football since 2005. The Colonials improved to 2-0, while Salesianum fell to 1-1.
The Sals had some early chances but could not capitalize. William Penn fumbled the first punt of the game, and the Sals recovered at the Colonials’ 30-yard line. On fourth down, however, running back Colby Reeder came up just short. Salesianum’s next possession ended with an interception on Penn’s 7-yard line.
William Penn marched 93 yards on 12 plays for the game’s first score, with standout running back Reggie Carroll finding the end zone on a 28-yard run. The Colonials added a field goal following another interception for a 10-0 lead.
Salesianum’s Sean Smith got his team on the board with a field goal with four seconds left in the first half.
After coming close several times, the Sals finally found the end zone after halftime. They drove 78 yards on 14 plays, the last one a 10-yard run by Michael Sanzone on a fourth-and-eight with 1:31 left in the third. The tie was short-lived, though, as William Penn’s Marvell Watts took the kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. Salesianum blocked the extra point.
Salesianum would have two more chances to retake the lead. They reached the Colonials’ 22-yard-line on the first drive, but Reeder was stopped for a four-yard loss on third down, and a pass on fourth down was incomplete. A William Penn fumble opened another door, but the Sals could not capitalize.
Reeder finished with 88 yards on 16 carries to lead the offensive effort. The Sals are back home Saturday night against Concord (1-1) at 7:30 p.m.
William Penn got 157 yards rushing on 26 carries by Carroll. The Colonials host A.I. DuPont (1-1) Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.
