Staff report

SALISBURY — The difference in the standings between Limestone and Catawba’s football teams is massive, but the difference on the field proved to be razor-thin.

Limestone beat the Indians 36-33 in two overtimes on Saturday night at Shuford Stadium.

Limestone’s celebrated quarterback Dustin Noller proved to be all that he’s advertised to be, throwing for 378 yards in the South Atlantic Conference game without tossing an interception or taking a sack and running for the decisive touchdown.

Catawba (2-4, 1-3) played about as well as you can play in a loss, putting up 512 yards of offense without turning the ball over. Catawba punted once all night. Still, the bottom line was Catawba’s third SAC loss by the skinniest of margins.

Noller fired the opening salvo. Limestone (5-1, 4-0) scored on the first snap from scrimmage. Noller put  the ball in the arms of Tre Williams, and he was off to the races for 70 yards.

When Noller’s second TD pass made it 14-0, the Indians appeared to be headed for a long night.

On the last play of the first quarter, former North Rowan star Amari McArthur’s first catch for the Indians proved to be a memorable  one — a 31-yard touchdown pass from Hunter Sheppard. That was the first counter-punch Catawba threw. The Indians kept swinging into the second overtime.

Byson Sims kicked two of his four field goals in the second quarter for the Indians, but the Saints took a 24-13 lead to the break.

Limestone didn’t have any success handling Catawba back LJ Turner, who had 188 rushing yards on 38 carries, and Turner’s 70-yard breakout brought the Indians within 24-20 in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Turner’s 7-yard touchdown run following a big fourth-down completion by Sheppard put Catawba ahead for the first time at 27-24.

Limestone staved off defeat with a 25-yard field goal by Daniel Dineen with 25 seconds left in regulation.

Limestone had the ball first in the opening overtime period and had to settle for a Dineen field goal. Catawba couldn’t get the TD it needed to win, but got a field goal from Sims for 30-all to force a second overtime session.

Catawba got another Sims field goal on its possession to take a 33-30 lead, but the Saints scored the winning touchdown when Noller rambled to the end zone from the 3-yard line.

Jalen Jones had eight catches for 156 yards for the Saints.

Sheppard completed 21 passes for 231 yards for the Indians. McArthur had three catches for 57 yards. Former Salisbury standout Mike Geter had three catches for 43 yards.

Catawba will celebrate homecoming next Saturday against Newberry, while Limestone will take on Wingate.