SALSIBURY TOWNSHIP — In a game that featured a combined 98 points between Salisbury and Palmerton, it’s a bit ironic that it was one team’s defenses that made the plays when needed.

Palmerton outlasted Salisbury 56-42 on Friday night on the Falcons’ home turf that saw the two squads score 35 first-quarter points. But it was the Blue Bombers’ defense that played the role of hero in the fourth quarter.

“The defense did step up at the end,” head coach Chris Walkowiak said. “We were sloppy at times, and they made big plays. Give credit to Salisbury. They were very resilient being down 21-0 and coming from behind.”

Deadlocked at 42-42 after Salisbury scored two consecutive touchdowns, Palmerton (6-3) made a stand defensively. The Blue Bombers forced the Falcons into a three-and-out on their first possession of the final quarter. On its second drive, a high snap on a punt attempt sailed over Jacob Kamp’s head and rolled back to Salisbury’s own 7-yard line.

Two plays later, senior quarterback Tekoah Guedes punched in a 7-yard touchdown to put Palmerton back in from, 48-42, with six minutes to play.

“Our defense really turned it around,” Guedes said. “We worked hard all week, and we knew kind of what they would come out and do. Early on we didn’t always stop them right away like we wanted to, but at the end we finished strong with those three-and-outs.”

Palmerton forced another three-and-out on Salisbury’s (4-5) next possession. Then the Blue Bombers capped a game-clinching drive moments later. Guedes ran six times on the drive—three for first downs—and another 7-yard touchdown with 2:21 remaining. It was his sixth touchdown of the game.

“Our mentality was to seal the deal, finish the game,” Guedes said. “We always want to come out and finish the game one drive at a time…We were able to come out and put a good ending drive to them.”

“That drive is what we preach in practice—finishing things off,” Walkowiak said. “We had an opportunity to finish the game there, and the offensive line did a great job of opening holes. Tekoah did a great job of finding the holes and making the key runs.”

Salisbury turned the ball over on downs on its final possession.

Early on, it looked as if Palmerton might run away with a victory as it jumped out to a quick 21-0 lead in the first quarter. Guedes found Eli Rivera and Mike Eckhart for touchdowns in the opening quarter, and a fumble recovery in the end zone on a high Falcon snap put the Blue Bombers ahead early.

The Falcons, however, wouldn’t roll over without a fight. They rebounded to score the next two touchdowns to make it a one-touchdown game late in the first quarter. Salisbury would add two more in the second quarter—a 27-yard pass from Kamp to Lucas Irwin, and a 3-yard run from Irwin—to bring the score to 34-28 at halftime.

Kamp, who finished with four total touchdowns, then ran one in from four yards out and threw a 56-yarder to Tim Buda to tie the game at 42.

“They have a lot of speed,” Walkowiak said. “They went a lot more spread tonight, and their quarterback definitely threw a very good ball. Their receivers made plays and had some matchups there. Overall I think if we can stop the big play and get off the field we’re OK.”

DUAL THREAT

... Guedes’s big day included three rushing touchdowns and three through the air. He accounted for 125 yards on the ground and 113 more through the air.

DISTRICT-BOUND

... The Blue Bombers are the only team in the District 11 Class 2A rankings to have clinched a spot in the postseason tournament thus far.