Salisbury knew Bangor’s rushing attack would be tough to deal with entering last week’s game. But when the Falcons were without a number of starters entering that contest, and then added a couple more to the injury list, things got even tougher.

Bangor ran for 242 yards on the ground and took a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. The Falcons could never get within striking distance as the Slaters enforced the mercy rule in the second half and picked up the 45-10 victory last Friday at Salisbury High School.

“They have a strong running game to begin with,” Cerco said. “We have a whole bunch of guys that are not available, so we’re playing a lot of guys that don’t have as much experience and/or size, strength or speed. They stepped up and gave great effort and played as hard as they possibly could.”

Bangor (4-4) executed a seven-play drive to open the game, capped by a Bo Meyers 1-yard quarterback keeper into the end zone. That put the Slaters ahead 7-0 just 2:25 into the game, and it would be a foreshadowing for the final 46 minutes.

Following a Falcon fumble on the ensuing kickoff, running back Joey Schrader burst through the line for a 6-yard touchdown run four plays later. Then, Meyers connect with a wide open Nick Davanzo in the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown and a quick 21-0 advantage.

“We had some kids that played a position that they hadn’t played before practicing it this week,” Cerco said. “Delano [McKenzie] for instance played outside linebacker and that isn’t something he’d normally do, but we needed him to play there.”

Salisbury’s next drive would end in a 29-yard field goal from Aaron Kahn, but Cerco knew the Falcons would need touchdowns to keep up with Bangor’s offense.

Schrader capped another seven-play drive for Bangor minutes later with a 9-yard score, his second touchdown of the game that put the visitors in control at 28-3.

A Falcon interception two plays later gave the ball back to Bangor, and Paul Mastrogiovanni scored four plays later with 4:55 to play in the half.

Falcon senior quarterback Jacob Kamp did not return in the second half due to an injury.

“Game planning-wise, we do a lot based on what our quarterback can do well,” Cerco said. “Each quarterback is a little bit different. So, what Jacob does well, Quentin [Stephens] probably is capable of doing, but there are certain things that Quentin does well that are different than Jacob. It can change what your game plan is a little bit.

“There certain things with the quarterback run game that is specifically for Jacob. Quentin can do some of those things, but it’s a matter of what works for him. He pulled the ball a couple of times and was fairly successful.”

Shemar Petrie ran for 22 yards on Bangor’s opening drive of the second half, and his 2-yard touchdown run put into effect the mercy rule.

Salisbury would break free and finally into the end zone on the first play of the fourth quarter when McKenzie went 42 yards to the house, bringing the Falcons within 45-10. McKenzie ran for 85 yards to leads the Falcons.