Jeremiah Rinehart cemented his name in Salem Football history as the 5-8 junior tailback scored from 2 yards out in overtime to give the Salem Wildcats a 34-28 win over the Orphans in front of a packed house at Jim Finks Field. Reinhart finished the game with a pair of touchdowns as he rushed for 118 yards on 18 carries. Salem quarterback Sam Greene added 109 yards on the ground including a 74 yard touchdown run in the first half as Salem found themselves down 14-7 at the break. Greene was also 13-of-18 for 93 yards and a touchdown.
Salem’s defense was tough as they Orphans turned it over on interceptions by freshman Trey Clark as well as junior Cooper Lobek. Clark also recovered an onside kick in the 2nd half to help Salem’s momentum.
For the Orphans, quarterback Daryl Jones finished rushing 17 times for 143 yards and scored from 18 yards out. He also hit Cam Tomlianovich on a 90yard touchdown pass in the first half. Xavier Koch also scored on a 20 yard catch.
Salem tied the game at 14 all when Greene found Connor Tennyson for a touchdown. The senior caught 8 balls for 88 yards. After Rinehart made it 21-14 with his touchdown run, the Orphans got a touchdown from Jones to Koch, but the extra point was blocked as Salem led 21-20. The Cats led 28-20 after Tennyson scored again, but after a blocked punt set Centralia up deep in Salem’s territory, the Orphans tied the game with a touchdown and 2-point conversion with just 1:23 left in regulation.
Salem will return to action next week when they host Alton Marquette.
Marquette was beat in Week 1 by Civic Memorial 42-16.
SCOREBOARD:
- Bethalto CM 42 Alton Marquette 16
- Carmi 52 Flora 16
- Casey 26 Red Hill 0
- Charleston 42 Herscher 13
- Edwardsville 30 Jackson, Mo. 21
- Effingham 31 Robinson 7
- Eldorado 12 Edwards County 7
- Harrisburg 39 Anna 14
- Highland 35 Breese Central 14
- Hillsboro 31 North Mac 6
- Johnston City 32 Christopher 12
- Murphysboro 49 Carbondale 7
- Nashville 42 Carlyle 8
- Pana 46 Vandalia 34
- Piasa 22 Gillespie 7
- Roxana 27 Jerseyville 0
- Salem 34 Centralia 28 (OT)
- Sesser Valier 34 Hamilton County 16
- Shelbyville 42 Newton 7
- Taylorville 41 Olney 6
- Triad 56 Mattoon 20
- West Frankfort 26 Massac County 7
