Salem football keeps rolling with win over Timberlane

SALEM - In what was a beautiful afternoon for a football game between rivals, the Salem High School football team cruised to a 35-19 win over Timberlane.

Salem improved to 3-1 thanks to running backs senior Dom Paci and junior Brandon Wall, as well as strong performance on both sides of the ball from senior Will Michaud. Despite strong play from Owls quarterback Dan Hayes, Timberlane was unable to mount a comeback and dropped to 0-4 on the season.

A dominant first half was turned in by both the Blue Devils offense and defense. On the offensive side of the ball, Paci lead the team in rushing, finishing the day with eight carries for 99 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Midway through the first quarter, a counter run play to the left seemed to be going for a loss, but Paci was just baiting the defenders. He quickly turned on the jets and got around the corner, delivered a stiffarm and found paydirt, taking it to the house for his first touchdown on the day.

Then, with 6:18 left to go in the second quarter, Paci once again barreled through several Owl defenders, keeping his legs churning and momentum going forward as he broke free from Owls defenders to find the end zone. The score put the Blue Devils up 28-7.

Not to be outdone by his teammate in the rushing department, Michaud would also contribute to the ground game.

Michaud would only carry the ball three times, but would rack up 56 yards and a touchdown to go along with it. His touchdown of the game would come after an impressive 45-yard run in which he was just barely taken down before reaching the end zone. He was also a key catalyst on defense for Salem, as he racked up three solo tackles, a blocked punt and a fumble recovery.

The game was plagued with penalties and miscues on both sides of the ball, factors which severely contributed to Timberlane being handed its fourth consecutive loss to start the year.

One of the highlights of the game fpr the Owls was the play of senior Dan Hayes. The 6-2 quarterback looked sharp against the Blue Devils defense, finding open receivers and throwing crisp passes into tight windows.

When Timberlane got the ball back with less than two minutes to go in the second half and the game still within reach, Hayes marched the Owls offense down to the 11-yard line of Blue Devils. Unfortunately, two illegal formation penalties cost them 15 yards and the drive stalled out for the Owls.

Hayes scrambled for yardage when plays were broken or no one was open and he finished the day 7 of 10 passing for 75 yards through the air and he also rushed for 38 yards on three carries and a touchdown.