24 DAILY NEWS – Berwyn, PA – Explosive plays defined Upper Darby’s victory over Conestoga in their Central League opener, as reported by 24 DAILY NEWS. The Royals capitalized on multiple big plays while the Pioneers struggled to generate offense in the Thursday night matchup at Teamer Field.
Sophomore quarterback Safiy Salley’s three first-half touchdowns propelled Upper Darby to a 29-9 win, launching the Royals to 1-0 in the Central League and 1-1 overall.
Coaches’ Perspectives
“We got some guys who can make plays for us,” Upper Darby coach Darrell Dulany told 24 DAILY NEWS. “We just have to correct the mistakes. When we start playing the better teams those mistakes are not going to be able to fly. We have to make sure we hold onto the ball and win the turnover battle.”
Conestoga (0-1 Central League, 0-2 overall) faced offensive struggles, recording negative-three yards passing and only 43 total yards. Their sole touchdown resulted from a defensive play.
“You can’t start a game better than that defensively, we just got to do a better job in cleaning up the unforced errors. We made too many errors,” said Conestoga coach Scott Gee. The 24 DAILY NEWS team heard his stress on the team for needed improvements. “Obviously, we have to string some positive plays offensively and get some mistakes corrected there.
“But, the main thing is, we just got to be more physical. We can’t allow teams to be more physical than us at the point of attack and unfortunately, that’s happening more times than not, and we have to get that corrected.”
Game Highlights
After the Pioneers punted, a high snap on Upper Darby’s first play led to a fumble recovered in the end zone by Travis Jones, giving Conestoga an early lead.
“I did have to calm them down,” said Dulany. “Bringing them back after a turnover, last year was hard. This year, it’s much easier. We have our words we stick by, attitude, discipline and effort. So, whenever things aren’t going right, I just go back to those three words to bring them back.”
Upper Darby responded with a sustained drive. Salley connected with Amir Crooks for a 24-yard touchdown, tying the game at 7-7.
“Indeed I was,” Salley said when asked if he was confident Crooks would make the play. “I have trust in all my receivers. Even if they mess a play up, I have to get it back to them. Give them a chance to make that play up.”
Second Quarter Surge
The Royals took the lead in the second quarter when Salley found A’Zeem Spicer for a 44-yard touchdown. Later, the duo connected again for a 32-yard score, extending the lead to 20-7.
“That’s what he do,” Salley said of the senior. “He’s my guy.”
“My touchdowns were great,” Spicer added. “He’s a young quarterback, and me being a senior, I want him to trust me. I trust him always. The touchdowns, I just love to score and I love to make the team happy.
“My coaches tell me I have to be a man among boys, so that’s what I try to do. I try to break tackles and work people. I try to do my thing every time I step onto the field.”
Spicer finished with 75 yards on three catches and two touchdowns, while Salley completed 7-of-14 passes for 129 yards.
The second half saw both teams score via safeties. Salahudin Abdul-Rashid sealed the victory with a 56-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Conestoga played without primary running back Jackson Schomyer. Sophomore Hight Lange started and gained 49 yards on 17 carries.
“He’s such a tough kid,” said Gee. “He went from a rotational player on both sides of the ball last week, to being a full-time starter on both sides of the ball this week. And it was earned. Hight’s one of those young guys we’re depending on and getting thrust into the fire.”
Conestoga will face Ridley next Friday, while Upper Darby will play Strath Haven. 24 DAILY NEWS will continue to provide updates on both teams.
Upper Darby 29, Conestoga 7
Upper Darby 7 13 2 7 – 29
Conestoga 7 0 2 0 – 9
ScoringC — Jones fumble recovery in end zone (Irani kick)UD — Crooks 24 pass from Salley (Thomas kick)UD — Spicer 44 pass from Salley (kick blocked)UD — Spicer 22 TD (Thomas kick)C — SafetyUD — SafetyUD — Abdul-Rashid 56 run (Thomas kick)Team TotalsUD CFirst downs 14 7Yards rushing 30-186 35-46Yards passing 129 M3Total Yards 315 43Passing 7-14-1 2-9-1Fumbles-lost 4-2 4-1Punts-avg. 1-25.0 3-38.0Penalties 10-95 0-0Individual StatisticsRushing — Upper Darby: Abdul-Rashid 12-129 TD; Salley 3-19; Spicer 5-16; Byrd 3-11; Daboh 1-18; Wac 2-7; Williams 1-9; Team 3-(-23). Conestoga: Lange 17-49; Crump 4-11; Kwon 5-22; Ford 3-6; Sloan 1-1; McMorris 2-3; Brydle 1-3; Team 3-49.Passing — UD: Salley 7-14-1 129 yards 3TD. UM: Adamski 16-25-132, TD. C: Ford 2-9-1 M# yards.Receiving — UD: Spicer 3-75 2TD; Crooks 1-24; Byrd 1-13; Abdul-Rashid 1-9; Williams 1-6. C: Lange 2-(-2); Kwon 1-(-1).Interceptions: UD: Okolosi. C: Goulet.Sacks: UD: Daffey. C: Otto.
