WILMINGTON — The difference was night and day for Salesianum.
After having their season-opening football game against Episcopal Academy (Pa.) on the evening of Aug. 29 interrupted at halftime by thunderstorms, the Sals and Churchmen returned to Abessinio Stadium at noon on Aug. 30 for the second half. The crowd was much smaller, and the referee crew was different, and so was the Sals’ offense. They moved the ball well and scored three times on the way to a 34-13 win. The game was part of the Mid-Atlantic Pigskin Classic presented by the Maxwell Club.
The Sals had taken a 14-7 lead into the half thanks primarily to two long returns by Jasir Gaymon that set up short drives, but after those two possessions, Episcopal had largely shut down the Salesianum offense. The Sals returned on Friday to put on a more dominant display on both sides of the ball.
The Churchmen opened the second half with the ball, but they went three and out on their first two possessions. Salesianum took over at the Episcopal 49 with just over six minutes to go in the third.
Aiden Lego (St. John the Beloved Parish) covered 15 yards on the first two plays, both on the ground. A few plays later, the Sals were at the 18 when quarterback Brady McBride (St. John the Beloved Parish) lofted a pass toward the right front corner of the end zone, where receiver Billy Neumann leaped over a defender and made a one-handed scoring catch to put the home team up, 21-7.
Another stout defensive series for the Sals ended with a punt by the Churchmen, and the Sals needed little time to add to their lead. Facing a third and 20, McBride hit Gaymon over the middle for a 42-yard gain as the third quarter ended. From there, Odell Teel did the work, covering 12 yards on three plays for his second touchdown of the night/day.
The teams traded touchdowns after that, with the Sals scoring on a 29-yard pass from McBride to Vernol Gary.
McBride finished with 22 completions in 39 attempts for 239 yards and two touchdowns, along with one interception. Gary had six of those receptions for 66 yards and his score. Lego rushed 21 times for 92 yards and a touchdown, while Teel carried 14 times for 66 yards and two scores. The Sals (1-0) travel to Smyrna on Sept. 6 for a 7 p.m. meeting with the Eagles.
Photos by Mike Lang.
