The Salem Wildcats turned a slow start into a dominating finish Friday night, rallying from an early deficit to knock off Murphysboro 50-20 in Southern Illinois River-to-River Conference action.
The victory was a milestone night for Salem head coach Kevin Greene, who picked up his 100th career victory.
Salem found itself trailing 14-8 early in the contest, but the Wildcats quickly took control, scoring the next six touchdowns to turn the game into a rout.
Trey Clark led the way offensively for Salem, carrying the ball 19 times for 150 yards and five touchdowns. Clark’s night included a 48-yard touchdown run that capped his offensive performance in the third quarter.
Quarterback Kaeden Bevolo was nearly perfect through the air, completing all 11 of his pass attempts for 168 yards. His biggest completion came on a 32-yard touchdown pass to Kyler King.
King turned in a strong performance on both sides of the football. He caught four passes for 77 yards and the touchdown while also coming up with an interception on defense.
The Salem defense also forced several turnovers, with Silas Lux and Keyston Hughes recovering fumbles. Jaret Gibson also turned in a big night at linebacker as the Wildcats kept Murphysboro off the scoreboard for much of the second half.
With the win, Salem improves to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in River-to-River Conference play.
The Wildcats will look to make it two straight next Friday when they return home to host Herrin for Salem’s Homecoming game.
And for Greene, the victory adds another significant milestone to a coaching career that now includes 100 wins.
Also in the River To River last night, Carterville is 6-0 after beating Harrisburg on the road 41-20, Nashville hands Benton their first loss 42-14.
In the Cahokia Conference, Centralia moved to 6-0 with an impressive road win over Waterloo 35-7. Columbia lost to Civic Memorial 42-31, Freeburg got past Jerseyville 14-7 and Breese Central shutout Wood River 42-0 marking just the 3rd time in program history the Cougars are 6-0.
In the South Seven, Mt Vernon traveled to Cahokia and was shutout 50-0, Carbondale hung 70 on Highland in a 70-38 win. East St Louis shutout Edwardsville 35-0.
Apollo:
- Mahomet 47 Effingham 0
- Taylorville 36 Mattoon 7
- Mt Zion 63 Charleston 14
Black Diamond:
- Flora 45 Eldorado 0
- Johnston City 28 Fairfield 12
- Carmi 26 Sesser 0
- Hamilton County 44 Edwards County 0
Cahokia:
- Centralia 35 Waterloo 7
- Breese Central 42 Wood River 0
- Civic Memorial 42 Columbia 31
- Freeburg 14 Jerseyville 7
- Chester 21 Carlyle 14
- Red Bud 38 Dupo 0
- Sparta 44 Wesclin 6
Little Illini:
- Mt Carmel 38 Olney 30 (OT)
- Casey 13 Marshall 6
- Newton 35 Paris 29
- Robinson 19 Lawrenceville 16
Metro Valley:
- Althoff 48 Marquette 28
SI River to River:
- Salem 50 Murphysboro 20
- Carterville 41 Harrisburg 20
- Nashville 42 Benton 14
- West Frankfort 28 DuQuoin 7
- Anna 54 Pinckneyville 29
South Central:
- Vandalia 28 Greenville 27 (OT)
- Pana 34 Staunton 13
- Hillsboro 49 North Mac 12
South Seven:
- Cahokia 50 Mt Vernon 0
- Carbondale 70 Highland 38
Southwestern Black:
- Mascoutah 49 Collinsville 27
- Alton 49 Granite City 6
- O’Fallon 7 Triad 3
Southwestern Gold:
- East St Louis 35 Edwardsville 0
- Belleville East 27 Belleville West 10
