RallyNorth.net

Salem Blue Devils Football '14

Fri, Oct 24, 2014 07:00 PM @ Nashua North
Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Salem 0 0 6 6 12
Nashua North 0 0 0 7 7

Salem wins sets up Londonderry showdown

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Friday, October, 24 By Jeff Hamrick

NASHUA — One week before a regular-season showdown against Londonderry with a playoff spot up for grabs, it would have been easy for Salem to overlook a two-win Nashua North squad.

Especially when a junior running back will be taking his first snaps as a varsity signal caller.

While last night's victory might not have been the Blue Devils' prettiest performance of a stellar season, Salem's 12-7 win got the job done.

Nick Shumski proved more than capable of getting the job done, one night after being told he'd be subbing under center for starter John Cerretani, who was not in uniform because of a coach's decision.

Shumski rebounded from an interception on his first throw, completing four of his remaining five passes. Each completion went to Kenny Calabrese, none bigger than his leaping 28-yard reception at the Titan 1, setting up Johnny Bartose's clinching touchdown with 8:07 remaining in the game.

"I found out (Thursday) before practice," said Shumski, who's only previous QB experience this year was the first half of the first junior varsity game. "One of my teammates told me. I thought he was messing with me at first, but it turned out to be the real deal.

"I just thought it was a big opportunity right now. I had to play my best and help my team out. Everyone is stressing out about Londonderry, but we knew we had to get this one first"

The inexperienced Shumski was helped significantly by Charles Sibanda, who led a balanced rushing attack with 118 yards and the game's initial touchdown midway through the third quarter.

"Nick's a great football player," Salem coach Rob Pike said. "We had full confidence in him. He did fine. We just had a lot of other issues we have to take care of."

Those issues would be penalties that stymied may possessions, including one that lasted 9 minutes and 18 plays and reached the North 1. The Blue Devils were flagged 13 times for 126 yards. Six of the calls were of the personal foul-unsportsmanlike varieties. The two teams combined for 238 yards on 24 penalties.

Defense played a huge role, holding the Titans to 102 rushing yards and 164 total. The biggest play was Bryce Haynes' interception that halted Nashua North's final possession.


"Defense is playing great," Pike said. "There's a ton of guys I could highlight."

Game Statistics:


Third Quarter

S — Charles Sibanda 5 run (kick blocked) 6:03

Fourth Quarter

S — Johnny Bartose 1 run (run failed) 8:07

NN —  Myles Cassin-Reed 2 run (Niroula Sushant kick) 4:44


INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING: S (47-295) — Sibanda 24-118, Josh Rodriguez 8-47, Bartose 9-44, Corey Ortiz 5-36, Nick Shumski 6-3; NN (30-102) — Connor Baldassaro 5-48, Cassin-Reed 11-36, Max Fay 11-24, Greg Stanton 1-0, Colby Gunter 2-(-6)

PASSING: S — Shumski 3-5-47, 1 interception; NN (6-13-62, 1) — Gunter 6-10-69, 1, Cassin-Reed 1-3(-7), 0

RECEIVING: S — Kenny Calabrese 3-47; NN — Cassin-Reed 4-57, Shane LaGraw 1-12, Gunter 1-(-7)

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