Salisbury one of league’s biggest surprises
At 3-2, Falcons have already surpassed last season’s win total
Salisbury coach Andy Cerco doesn’t like to rank wins.
“Whatever our last win was, that’s our best win … that’s how I look at it,” he said.
Cerco, though, had to be thrilled with the Falcons’ 23-21 win over Notre Dame Friday night, a signature victory for a team coming off a 2-8 season that included a 55-21 loss to the Crusaders in 2018.
At 3-2, Salisbury has already exceeded last season’s win total and has a chance to add several more victories in the season’s second half when it could be favored in four of the five games.
There’s a good chance the Falcons’ season could extend into November, but Cerco insisted his team is not looking past winless Catasauqua, its Friday night opponent.
“I have a lot of the kids in class and I called them over and said ‘We had a great win but now what are we going to do this week?” Cerco said. “They responded by saying they’re going to work hard and beat Catasauqua. Hard work comes first. That’s the mindset they have.”
Cerco said Salisbury’s student section stormed the field following the win over Notre Dame.
The Falcons are not only a winning team, but they’re also entertaining.
They feature the league’s top passer and top receiver, Quintin Stephens and Chad Parton. Both are juniors.
Treyce Weber was the starting quarterback but injured his nonthrowing wrist. Stephens has stepped in and passed for 945 yards and 10 touchdowns in four starts.
It’s a much more potent attack than the one that managed just 83.9 yards passing per game last season.
“Trey is still able to play defense for us and is doing a good job,” Cerco said. “But Quintin has really worked at it. We do a lot of classroom sessions in the offseason and he showed up at all of those and understands the process. He knows things don’t happen automatically. He shows up every day and works hard. He’s another coachable kid and coachable kids just get better.”
Parton has been a one-man highlight film with some of the area’s most
spectacular plays. In Week 1 against Pen Argyl, he had a punt return and fumble recovery for scores.
Against Notre Dame, he got behind the defense by about 10 yards and then hauled in a one-handed grab of a Stephens pass for a 64-yard score.
“The play he made Friday night was something special; the kind of play you see on ESPN,” Cerco said. “He’s another one who just shows up every day and works hard.”
Senior linebacker Kyle Killiri had 16 tackles against Notre Dame and has 61 this season, including seven tackles for losses.
He epitomizes the team’s focus. He’s not surprised the Falcons are in contention for a District 11 3A berth even if they’re not thinking about it.
“We’ve been building a brotherhood forever,” he said. “We’ve been playing together since youth football. We’re as connected as we’re ever going to be. It has been a long time coming and we’re here to stay.”
Cerco, who played football at Moravian College for Scot Dapp and then assisted at Salisbury, Central Catholic, Moravian, Southern Lehigh, and Parkland before getting the Falcons’ job in 2012, does not analyze the district power rankings or the league standings.
He’s a big-picture guy who sees the purpose in the mere playing. His Falcons have been involved in several charitable endeavors and he recognizes the victories from this sport don’t always come on the scoreboard.
“We’re here for something a little bit bigger,” he said. “We’re developing complete student-athletes here. The wins and losses will come and go. It’s a matter of them learning skills, discipline, and commitment. The experiences high school football gives you are just fantastic. That’s really what we’re here for.”
Second-half scene-setting
Here are the five biggest games left in the Colonial League regular season: Week 6: Wilson at Pen Argyl, Saturday
The Warriors still have a chance at a District 11 4A berth, but need to beat their longtime rivals on “The Hill” to
give themselves a shot. Week 7: Northwestern at Southern Lehigh, Oct. 4
Realistically, this is the last major hurdle for the Spartans to earn an unbeaten record and the league’s last title outright. Week 8: Saucon Valley at Northwestern Lehigh, Oct. 11
One of the league’s best rivalries has developed here and the Panthers and Tigers also have two of the league’s best offenses. This could again be a District 11 4A playoff preview. Week 9: Notre Dame at Saucon Valley, Oct. 18
The hard-to-figure Crusaders may need this one to qualify for a District 11 3A tournament berth. Week 10: Pen Argyl at Bangor, Oct. 26
It may mean nothing in terms of the league race or district tournament berths, but it’s meeting No. 100 and it’s the Slate Belt’s version of the Super Bowl with alums and fans who haven’t seen a game in years coming back. It’s a case where tradition transcends title hopes. Keith Groller can be reached at 610820-6740 or at kgroller@mcall.com