Senior QB Brendan Zurbrugg credits offensive line as Alliance football rolls past Salem
ALLIANCE − The high-octane offense of the Alliance Aviators was in high gear Friday night at Kehres Stadium.
In their opening Eastern Buckeye Conference contest, the Aviators (4-2, 1-0) rolled over the Salem Quakers, 48-14.After a slow start to last week’s game against Canton Central Catholic, Alliance head coach Tim Goodman talked to his team all week about getting off to a good start.
“Our guys came out with the right mindset this week,” said Goodman. “We needed to get off to a good start. We went full force right from the get-go on both sides of the ball. This is what we expect from this senior-led team. But I am also very proud of how they responded after a tough loss last week and put four quarters together.”
Alliance senior quarterback Brendan Zurbrugg scored on a 91-yard run on the opening play from scrimmage to help the Aviators build a 28-0 opening-quarter lead.
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Zurbrugg was taken by complete surprise when he saw how open the field was in front of him when he turned the corner on a quarterback keeper.
“The first play of the game you don’t really expect to get a 90-yard touchdown run,” Zurbrugg said. “Our offensive line did the job and played a great game tonight. They broke it open for me, and I was able to use my track speed and took off.”
Zurbrugg, an Oklahoma recruit, also scored on a 10-yard run; hit senior wide receiver K’Vaughn Davis with a 44-yard score; and completed a pass to sophomore Ravhan Hawkins for 69 yards.
It just got worse from there for Salem, as the Aviators added three more scores in the second quarter to force a second-half running clock.
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Alliance held a 48-0 advantage at halftime.
In one half of play, Zurbrugg connected on 6 of 8 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed five times for 115 yards and two touchdowns.
Salem (0-6, 0-1) was able to get two scores in the second half.
“I can relate to where (Salem is) right now,” Goodman said. “Two years ago, I was playing all my seniors now as sophomores. They are going through some growing pains right now, but (head coach Ron Johnson) has got to love what he saw in the second half. Those kids never gave up and they battled to the end. He has got to like that.”
The Aviators will enjoy the win for a day before starting to prepare for a tough Carrollton team next Friday.
“It’s going to be tough,” Goodman said. “Everyone knows what Carrollton runs. They are going to line up with one tight, two tights (ends) and run the ball right at you to see how tough you are. So, we need to be ready to answer the bell when they come to town next week.”
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Brendan Zurbrugg-led Alliance High School football team beats Salem
