Staff report

SALISBURY — Salisbury’s football team took an unexpected loss on Monday, dropping a 47-33 shootout at Ludwig Stadium to the Walkertown Wolfpack.

Unexpected in the sense that the Hornets won 62-6 at Walkertown last season.

The Massey Ratings lean heavily early in a new season on what happened last season, but sometimes that doesn’t work out. The Hornets were favored to win the non-conference matchup by 35. That didn’t come close to happening, as Salisbury (1-1) yielded nearly 500 yards of offense.

Walkertown (2-0) moved the ball efficiently through the air and on the ground. Walkertown’s sophomore QB Santana Garcia threw for 314 yards and four touchdowns. The Hornets couldn’t cover senior Mitrend Curry, who had a colossal game with nine catches for 248 yards and three scores. Cam Kelly, a senior, rushed 18 times for 170 yards and three touchdowns.

While they couldn’t stop Walkertown at crunch time, the Hornets got four field goals from Hank Webb, fought back several times and had every chance to win the game. It was 33-all with two minutes left.

Walkertown went up 14-0 at the outset, but the Hornets got back to 14-all on Webb’s touchdown pass to Jay’lin Johnson and a 13-yard scoring run by Jamantay Cox.

Walkertown surged back ahead 21-14, but Webb kicked a field goal to cut the Wolfpack’s lead to 21-17 at the half.

Webb’s second field goal provided the only scoring in the third quarter.

Webb’s third field goal gave the Hornets a 23-21 lead in the opening seconds  of the fourth quarter.

An interception by Torian Brown got the ball back for the Hornets, and Hez Krider broke a 46-yard scoring run. Webb kicked the PAT for a 30-21 lead. That was high tide for the Hornets with 8:39 left in the game, but all heck broke loose after that.

With explosive plays, Walkertown scored two quick touchdowns to take a 33-30 lead. Salisbury moved the ball inside the Walkertown 10, but had to settle for Webb’s fourth field goal. His clutch kick tied the game at 33-all with two minutes left.

But it took Walkertown only 26 seconds to score again on a long pass play, and the Wolfpack took a 40-33 lead with 1:34 left.

That put Salisbury in desperation mode. The Hornets were stopped on a fourth-and-19, and Walkertown tacked on another touchdown before the game ended.

Besides a touchdown pass, 140 passing yards, four field goals and three PATs, Webb punted well and put five of his seven kickoffs in the end zone.

Krider lost two fumbles, but rushed 27 times for 166 yards.

Johnson had three catches for 87 yards to lead the receivers.

Bryce Dalton had six tackles, with two tackles for loss.

Salisbury plays at East Rowan (0-2) next. Walkertown will take on Forest Hills (1-1).

“This was a tough one,” Salisbury head coach Clayton Trivett said. “We have to get back to work and get ready for East Rowan.”