Salisbury didn’t have to worry much about Pen Argyl’s passing attack in Week 1. At least not until the final drive when the Green Knights made nine of their 17 pass attempts.

But the Falcons will have to adjust their mindset and defensive game plan heading into Week 2 against one of the Colonial League’s top passers.

Northwestern junior quarterback Deven Bollinger was efficient last week on both the ground and the air, tallying 244 total yards and five touchdowns in the Tigers’ 42-41 win over Notre Dame (Green Pond) in overtime. Salisbury (0-1) hosts Northwestern (1-0) on Friday night in its home opener at 7 p.m. at Salisbury High School.

“In our league, that is always the adjustment you have to manage,” Cerco said. “I think our players do a great job of paying attention when they are in the classroom. We go from a Pen Argyl team that is more power football this year as far as two tight end sets and those kinds of things, and now we transition to Northwestern and they have empty sets, motioning guys and changing their formations.

“They are what you’d expect from a Northwestern team. They are well coached. They are disciplined. They play hard.”

In a back and forth game against the Crusaders, Bollinger carried the Tigers late and accounted for five of Northwestern’s six touchdowns. His biggest may have come via his legs in overtime when he ran for a 2-yard score that tied the game before senior Connor de Wit’s extra point sealed the victory.

Bollinger was actually the Tigers’ leading rusher against Notre Dame, tallying 136 rushing yards on 24 carriers. Three of those attempts crossed the goal line.

But Bollinger, a junior listed at 6-foot-4, is one of the Colonial League’s most gifted quarterbacks. The third-year starter completed 8-of-15 attempts for 108 yards and two more touchdowns through the air. What makes Bollinger so difficult to guard is his ability to both run and pass effectively.

“They tried to establish the run with him the past couple of years,” Cerco said. “I think as he’s matured as a quarterback and a runner, he’s gotten better and they’ve got some well-coached linemen. They are disciplined and do what they are coached to do.

“Any time you face a quarterback that is a little bit of a dual threat in that they can throw and run, it adds an element.”

Bollinger’s top target in the aerial attack thus far has been sophomore running back Justin Rodda. Rodda caught five of Bollinger’s eight completions for 88 yards and both passing touchdowns last Friday. Both passing touchdowns to Rodda helped Northwestern tie the game at that point in time.

Handling a majority of the work out of the backfield is Nick Henry, a sophomore. Henry ran 20 times for 117 yards, good for a 5.9-yard average, with one touchdown against the Crusaders. Tyler Lobach (six carries for 46 yards) and Rodda (four carries for 18 yards) also pitched in.

“Obviously [Salisbury players] looking forward to a home opener,” Cerco said. “Our community does a great job coming out and supporting our football program. It’s always something to look forward to.”