RallyNorth.net

Salem rebounds in big way

Friday, September, 10 By Bill Burt
Sports editor

SALEM — While there officially isn't a statistical category called "rebounds" in football, the Salem High football team got a big one last night.

Headlined by their two-headed monster backfield, senior Max Jacques and junior Jerri Fedrick, Salem scored 31 unanswered points en route to a surprisingly easy, 45-19, win over Manchester Central.

The highly touted backfield of Jacques and Fredrick combined for 294 yards and five touchdowns in the rout.

The defending state champs, fresh off a 48-21 drubbing at the hands of expected 2010 state title contender, Bishop Guertin, the Blue Devils had to withstand a week dealing with their angry coach.

"Coach (Jack Gati) didn't crack a smile all week," said Fedrick, who broke open the game with a 51-yard run in the first quarter to put Salem ahead, 14-0. "He was nasty. People were saying good things about us before the season. But he had nothing good to say last night. We probably deserved it, though. We didn't come to play last week."

According to Coach Gati, one of those players who got under his skin last weekend was Fedrick.

"He just ran a little tenative. It was the Jerri we expected and it hurt us," said Gati. "But (last night) was different. He was great. When he and Max get going, they really are like a two-headed monster."

Salem's defense, which allowed seven touchdowns last week, earned kudos from their coach, including Fredrick, who caused a fumble with a hit. Middle-linebacker Joey Dipalma was the most dominating Blue Devils defender with nine solo tackles, including a forced fumble.

"I know people will look at his score and give all the credit to our offense. And yes, they played well," said Gati. "But I feel the key to this game was the defensive stops in the first quarter, in particular. We were awful last week. We had something to prove on defense. And I believe we did."

One highlight of the game came two plays after quarterback Matt Cannone fumbled the snap on a fourth down-and-short attempt. Cannone jumped in front of a Manchester Central receiver and rumbled 42 yards to the 3-yard line, setting up a late score just before the first half ended.

But that was trumped on Salem's opening drive of the third quarter when Jacques zig-zagged from the left sidelines all the way to the right sidelines in a mind-boggling 61-yard touchdown run.

"I try to copy some of Max's moves, but I can't," said Fedrick. "I get too tired. He runs too much."

Salem, now 1-1, plays consecutive road games at Manchester West and Pinkerton Academy the next two weeks.

"In all the years I've been coaching I don't think I've ever seen a team play so differently in consecutive weeks,' said Gati. "It feels good to be on this side. But it's only one game. It's too early to do any celebrating."