Salisbury head coach Andy Cerco called a timeout with just under 29 seconds to play in Saturday’s opener against Pen Argyl with the Green Knights six yards away from a game-tying touchdown. Cerco and the Falcons predicted Pen Argyl’s game plan, but ultimately didn’t have the answer to stop it.

While the Falcons stopped Pen Argyl running back Antonio Reto on a first-and-goal run, the Green Knights still had plenty of time. On the next play, quarterback Tadd Barr connected with tight end Connor Kupres for a 5-yard touchdown to lift the Green Knights (1-0) to a 17-16 victory over Salisbury on Saturday afternoon at Pen Argyl High School.

“We called a timeout and we said, They are going to run power-I. We’re going to stop them. And then they’re going to run the tight end on the corner out,’” Cerco said. “We went over it and assigned people to it. We didn’t make the play.”

Salisbury would have a long shot of a chance with 5.6 seconds remaining at the ensuing kickoff. But the Falcons couldn’t generate a decent threat on that return in the final seconds.

Pen Argyl, which was held scoreless in the first half, benefited from a number of Salisbury turnovers in the third quarter. On the Falcons’ first drive of the half, defensive back Cole Dorshimer intercepted quarterback Jacob Kamp’s pass in Salisbury territory. A 35-yard field goal from Eric Lobb got the Green Knights on the board four plays later at 10-3.

Another Kamp interception two series later led to points for the Knights.

But this one stung a bit more. Barr picked off Kamp’s pass on Pen Argyl’s side of the field and returned it 57 yards for a touchdown to tie the score at 10-10 with 1:11 remaining in the third quarter.

“We didn’t start the half well,” Cerco said. “We had a penalty and got the ball to start on the 1-yard line. From there it didn’t go well. We have to be able to transition out at halftime and have some positive gains.

“Up front we’ve got kids all over the place. We’ve got some freshmen on the offense line, and we had third string guys on the offensive line playing.”

A block in the back penalty on the second half kickoff sent Salisbury back to its own 1-yard line.

Chad Parton lost a fumble on the final play of the third quarter for Salisbury’s third turnover of the quarter.

Salisbury would have an answer after Pen Argyl tied the game, however. Kamp hit wide receiver Delano Mckenzie on a quick screen pass on a third down play. Mckenzie did the rest, breaking three tackles on the way to a 51-yard touchdown scamper to put the Falcons back in front. A missed extra point would prove costly.

Both teams punted on their next two possessions before Pen Argyl orchestrated its 13-play go-ahead scoring drive. Barr was 5-for-8 on the drive with 52 yards and the touchdown.

“Their kids made plays when it mattered most, and our kids were struggling at that point in time with a lot of different things,” Cerco said. “We got to take care of some things on our end because we have to make those plays. Their kids made some plays and we didn’t.”

Kamp completed four of his five pass attempts on Salisbury’s opening drive to put the Falcons in front 3-0 on an Aaron Kahn 27-yard field goal.

Two series later, the Falcons took advantage of Pen Argyl’s second turnover of the game. After a lost fumble by Barr, Kamp hit Tim Buda for a 20-yard bubble screen touchdown and a quick 10-0 lead in the second quarter.

Kamp finished 12-for-19 for 141 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Parton ran for 54 yards on seven carries.

Starting fullback Kyle Pingarelli ran for 31 yards on seven carries in the first half. He also made countless plays at linebacker on defense. But the junior fullback didn’t play in the second half due to a leg injury, and it had a clear impact on the Falcons.

“He’s a big part of our offense,” Cerco said. “He can get the ball moving forward. He finds the gaps.

“He’s a great player on both offense and defense. We went to a freshman at fullback and stacked linebacker…He did a phenomenal job. He did exactly what we asked him to do. He got a learning experience today.”

Salisbury hosts Northwestern in Week 2 for its home opener. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on Friday night.