RallyNorth.net

Salem's fast start dooms Memorial

Friday, September, 17 By Dave Dyer
Staff writer

MANCHESTER — Salem running back Max Jacques was not particularly happy last night.

But it had nothing to do with his performance against Manchester Memorial. He had, after all, seven carries and 132 yards with a TD in the first quarter alone (16-164, 2TDs overall) as the Blue Devils rolled to a 28-0 lead on their way to a 41-20 romp.

Jacques just didn’t like that, because of the huge early lead, he was limited to two and a half quarters of action.
“I don’t like this (sitting out as reserves play),” said Jacques. “I want to be in there every play.”

But it couldn’t be helped. Salem was on fire from the outset, led by Jacques, Jerickson Fedrick (13-68, two TDs) and an opportunistic defense that scored on a 26-yard fumble return by Fedrick and following another recovered fumble.

Salem moved out to a 41-0 bulge in the second quarter before Memorial scored shortly before halftime.

With the clock running non-stop in the second half because of the 35-point spread, Memorial scored twice more and held Salem’s first offense scoreless after halting a seven-minute drive on its own 22.

“Everything clicked and we had an outstanding first half — I liked our intensity,” said Salem coach Jack Gati. “I wasn’t so happy with the second half. We got a little too comfortable.”

Of some concern for Salem was its secondary, which looked shaky at times and allowed Memorial junior Cody Dalton to complete 19 of 32 passes for 207 yards.

The Blue Devils’ run defense was much stronger, allowing just 108 yards, including just 23 in the first half. Down lineman Daniel Stacey was impressive in the first two quarters, at one point making three tackles in four plays.