It probably would have taken the Falcons best effort and maybe some help from Lehighton last Saturday for Salisbury to advance in the District 11 Class 3A football playoffs.

While the Falcons gave their best effort, the Indians didn’t give them much help, especially in the second half. Salisbury put a scare in unbeaten Lehighton when it took an early lead and held a 10-8 halftime edge. But the hosts responded with 30 unanswered second-half points for a 38-10 win. Lehighton (11-0) advances to host No. 3 seed Jim Thorpe (10-1) next Saturday in a semifinal.

“I think we did some things that people didn’t expect,” said Salisbury head coach Andy Cerco. “I don’t think anyone in the stadium thought that we would be ahead 10-8 at halftime.

“I’m really proud of our kids. They give great effort. They are coachable and they’re fun to be around. The senior class has really bought into what we’re about and they understand what it takes to win football games.”

Salisbury held Lehighton to just five first-half first downs in four possessions, and just 76 yards of offense in the first two quarters.

The Falcons controlled the clock with three first-half drives of eight plays or more, including their second possession that covered 60 yards and ended with Tim Buda’s touchdown run for a 7-0 lead with 23 seconds left in the first quarter.

The Indians responded with an eight-play drive, capped by quarterback Cody Scherer’s touchdown pass to Collin Troxell. Scherer ran for the two-point conversion and an 8-7 lead.

The No. 7 seed Falcons (4-7) chewed more time off the clock with a nine-play field goal drive to take a 10-8 lead with 5:40 left in the first half. Their defense forced two Lehighton punts to cling to the slim halftime lead.

The second half was all Tribe.

Lehighton’s defense kept Salisbury from getting within 30 yards of pay dirt throughout the second half. It also came up with four fourth-down stops on Salisbury’s four second-half possessions.

“Our defense, fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you want to look at it, they’ve played bend but don’t break,” said Lehighton head coach Tom McCarroll. “They let them have some long drives and it kept our offense off the field. But like the rest of our team, our defense stepped up in the second half.”

Scherer and running back TaQuan Bradley-Chambers (21 carries, 121 yards) led a running game that piled up 221 yards in the second half.

Scherer put his team in front with a 3-yard touchdown run on the opening possession of the second half. He scored again on Lehighton’s next drive, running eight yards for a score and a 22-10 lead with 1:43 left in the third frame.

“I think our offensive line committed in the second half,” said McCarroll. “They were a little embarrassed about getting punched in the mouth. They didn’t play up to their potential (in the first half). In the second half they responded.

“When you get into the playoffs, regardless of league or record, you’re going to get their best shot. I give [Salisbury] credit. They came out and they played with a chip on their shoulder.”

Lehighton sealed the win with a 17-play drive that included a fake punt early in the fourth quarter. Scherer found Zack Crum with an 8-yard touchdown pass to cap the drive and take a 30-10 lead with 4:38 left.

Cameron Christman capped the scoring with a 41-yard touchdown run with 3:35 left in the game.

Lehighton converted just two of five third downs in the first half of Saturday’s win. In the second half, the Indians moved the chains on five of their six third- down attempts. The one they failed to convert was followed by a fake punt in which Scherer ran four yards for the first down.

Lucas Irwin (15 carries, 49 yards) and Buda (8 carries, 45 yards, 2 receptions, 50 yards) led the Salisbury offense. Cam Vaka completed four of 10 passes for 58 yards.

The loss ends Salisbury’s season.

“I think it was a positive season,” said Cerco. “Our kids had a lot of learning experiences. They’re learning and they’re getting better as young men and that’s what it’s all about.”