Maybe it just takes a couple of drives for Salisbury to get into the rhythm of a game. Judging by their last two outings, one can certainly make that case for the Falcons’ football team.

Despite another early deficit-this one 14-0 against Notre Dame (Green Pond)-Salisbury responded with two scores to tie the contest in the second quarter. But the Crusaders’ high-powered offense was too much to contain.

The Crusaders (4-1) responded with 35 unanswered points before the fourth quarter got underway to dispose of Salisbury last Friday night in Green Pond, 55-21.

“In any game there are ups and downs, and people make plays,” Cerco said. “It just seems to be a pattern with our team right now to where we need to settle in a bit. Early in the game, our play calling is more conservative for that reason sometimes.”

Similar to coming back from a 14-0 deficit against Saucon Valley, Salisbury (1-4) also had an answer after Notre Dame took the lead on 10 plays in the first quarter.

Delano McKenzie capped Salisbury’s third drive, a seven-play possession culminating with his 15-yard touchdown run that got the visitors within 14-7. On the next play from scrimmage, defensive back Peter Bitar intercepted Notre Dame quarterback Cole DeFranco’s pass and Salisbury was back in business. Three plays later, quarterback Jacob Kamp hit Chad Parton on a 7-yard touchdown throw to even the score.

“We just have to find a way to play a complete game,” Cerco said. “That’s been the struggle of our team this year. Even looking at the Wilson game, the one we won, we started out pretty well and then we had a quarter where it was not bad and it came down a little bit tighter.”

Salisbury forced a Crusader punt on its next drive, but Notre Dame got the ball back late in the second quarter and scored with just 49 seconds remaining before intermission. DeFranco’s 15-yard score to Andrew Darno put the Crusaders back in front, 21-14.

But it was a spot Salisbury found itself in a week prior when the Falcons ultimately fought their way back to tie Saucon Valley in the second half. So, there wasn’t a sense of panic or worry heading into the locker room.

“We just have to find a way to gel together for an entire game,” Cerco said. “When we are able to do that, we are clearly competitive in all of these games. It’s just a matter of being consistent. It’s something that we are learning to do.”

To the aid of a couple of Falcon turnovers and miscues, the Crusaders’ offense came out of the locker room much like they had done when the game kicked off. DeFranco scored on a 5-yard run just 1:30 into the third quarter to give Notre Dame a 28-14 lead.

After Salisbury lost a fumble on third down, Notre Dame was back in cruise control. DeFranco connected with Isaiah DeJesus for a 24-yard bubble screen touchdown that increased the Crusaders’ lead to 35-14 with 8:36 to play in the third quarter.

“In the first half we had 30 offensive plays, and in the second half we had 12,” Cerco said. “That much of an up and down is tough to handle. We just have to figure a way to hold that balance in both halves. When we can do that we can compete with any team in this league.”

Notre Dame struck on its next possession, and it was DeFranco again via a 5-yard touchdown run. A high snap over Kamp’s head deep in their own territory sailed to Salisbury’s own 2-yard line with a turnover on downs on its next possession. Christian Greggo scored two plays later to put the Crusaders ahead 49-14.

McKenzie, who ran for 39 yards on Salisbury’s next drive, plunged in from three yards out in the second half. He ran for a team-high 74 yards on the night.

Other Salisbury leading rushers included Chad Parton (33 yards) and Timmy Buda (32 yards).

Leading Notre Dame was DeFranco in both the running game and through the air. He completed 19-of-22 passes for 317 yards and four touchdowns to go along with 32 yards and two more scores on the ground. Greggo ran for 59 yards and two touchdowns as well.