Going along with the chaos of 2020, why should the football season opener be any different? After numerous lightning delays and torrential downpours, Salem and West Branch play 2 halves of football on 2 different days, concluding on Saturday with the Warriors coming out on top 44-20. Quarterback Brock Hillyer led the Warrior attack up and down the field, spreading the ball around to the wide array of weapons at his disposal.

After trailing at halftime 14-0, the Quaker offense showed signs of life striking on the 1st play of the second half to cut it to 14-6, but the defense was unable to stop the Warrior attack.  The Quakers never got closer than 10 the rest of the way, trading blows with the Warriors until a late interception and TD to follow put the game away.

Jackson Johnson threw 2 TDs (both to Blaize Exline) and Jason Austin ran for the other Quaker score.

Salem (0-1) travels to Canton South next week, while West Branch (1-0) travels to Minerva.

*Contributed by YSN’s Jared Niederhiser