Salisbury football head coach Andy Cerco knew Saucon Valley would run the ball with lead back Nick Savant early and often during Friday night's contest.

And that's exactly what happened.

Savant, who entered week six of the Colonial League season raked second in total rushing yards, added 179 more to his total after his performance against the Falcons. Savant tallied 72 first-quarter rushing yards and 124 by halftime. He scored three times in leading the Panthers (4-2) to a 53-3 win over the Falcons (1-5) at Salisbury High School.

"He's a good running back," Cerco said. "We were getting there, and he was elusive. We weren't able to bring him down. That's the bottom line."

The Panthers scored touchdowns on five of their seven first-half possessions. Savant started the scoring, tallying 40 yards on the opening drive and giving the Panthers a 7-0 lead with a 22-yard scamper just 2:14 into the game.

Quarterback Keith Mosher threw two touchdown passes to wideout Mike Harka, before Savant added a nine-yard rushing touchdown midway through the second quarter that put the Panthers up 27-0. Mosher added another touchdown pass a little over two minutes later to make it 34-0 going into half.

"We definitely have to figure some stuff out on the offensive line and hold some blocks," Cerco said. "We're going to continue to struggle until we can figure out some people that can block."

Following a Falcon three-and-out to start the second half, Savant took the Panthers' first offensive play from scrimmage 55 yards up the left side for a touchdown. That carry ended Savant's night, as well as many of the Panthers' starters.

"We tell our kids all the time, there's good and bad things that happen in a football game," Cerco said. "And it's the same thing week to week, there's good and bad things that happen. Once that bad stuff happens, you have to have a clear mind and come out for the next play, the next rep, [and] the next game."

The Falcons struggled on both the offensive and defensive lines all game against the Panthers. Quarterbacks Troy Parton and Tevon Weber often found themselves with little protection time, and the running game struggled to find room to operate.

The Panthers managed 274 yards on the ground and another 99 through the air from Mosher.

"When you play a game like that, and you can't control the line of scrimmage, it's going to be a long night," Cerco said. "We just have to continue moving forward and stay positive. That's the thing we told our kids."

Weber completed 9 of 18 passes for 72 yards, but threw two interceptions for the Falcons. Wide receiver Mason Donaldson caught two passes for 47 yards, and tight end Kyle Hatzell added 17 yards on two receptions.

Running back Alex Kubinec led the way with 13 yards on the ground, but as a team, the Falcons rushed for minus-four yards on the night.

The Falcons host Palisades on Friday night at 7 p.m.