The 2025 season was one of resilience and dealing with adversity for the Salisbury High School football team and head coach Kevin DiZenzo.

The Falcons finished the year 2-9 after reaching the District 11 playoffs for the first time in a while as they dealt with many challenges, including numerous injuries to key players all season long.

While the second-year head coach was pleased his team reached districts for the first time in over a decade.

“Accountability is a huge part of our program,” said DiZenzo. “There was plenty of this season’s outcome that could be considered self-inflicted. We were also faced with a large number of challenges that were not in our control. The injury bug was a huge issue for us at many varsity positions. Regardless of circumstance, our players competed every week. I believe we showed a tremendous amount of resilience down the stretch.”

The Falcons lost games to Pen Argyl and Palmerton by just on point each. Against the Blue Bombers they had to revamp their offense at halftime, employing a wildcat look after quarterback Keaton Frye suffered a season-ending injury.

Seniors Jacob Watson, Jamanni Cruz and Sam Kraus led that effort and saw the Falcons score three times in the second half against Palmerton.

“That example feels like such a great representation of what this season was for us,” said DiZeno. “We’d prepare. We’d fight. Adversity would strike, and we’d have to make a decision. This season the decision to respond with enthusiasm and toughness always seemed second nature to this group. That to me is a testament to the positive culture these players have developed. It was a special thing to watch.

“I also believe that we improved on things that do not appear on a scoreboard. We were more disciplined, more prepared, better in the classroom and still more competitive than we’ve been in years. It wasn’t the season we dreamed of, but it was a season that continued to build on the foundation that we will need moving forward. Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. We’ll be back.”

Take away the wins and losses and it’s every team’s goal every season to earn the right to play more games in the postseason, and Salisbury did just that this season. The Falcons fell in the district quarterfinal round to top seed and eventual runner-up Notre Dame Green Pond.

“It meant everything to this team to get to the postseason, especially in light of all the challenges along the way,” DiZenzo said. “Getting to the district playoffs is a step in the right direction for this program. It showed our kids that sometimes all you need to do is continue to fight and good things will happen. This accomplishment has ignited the next generation of Falcons to be regular playoff contenders.”

Salisbury will graduate 15 seniors, including Dominic Natosi, Jamanni Cruz, Jeremiah Bell, Nehemiah Gibbs, Jacob Watson, Odanlly Urena, Elijah Garriga, Sam Krauss, Willmel Peralta Taveras, Yoviel Perez, Griffin Lakics, Christian Olesak, Chase Taylor and Jude Fitzgerald.

“I hope these seniors know just how proud of them we all are,” said DiZenzo. “They showed belief these last two seasons when it would have been very easy to just go through the motions. They’ve bridged the gap between where we were and where we want to go as a program. So many of these seniors inspired the younger members of this program and even inspired things like the youth program soaring back into existence this fall.

“From a record standpoint, I hope this year’s seniors recognize just how close they came to last year’s results: just two points separated the two seasons, with a pair of one-point losses this year.”

Even with the departure of some program-changing players, Salisbury will return talent and experience next season.

“I’m just as excited for the 2026 season as I was when I started at Salisbury,” DiZenzo said. “We graduate several key starters in June, but even with a younger roster heading into 2026 our goals will remain rooted in growth, character development, resilience, and, for me, gratitude. Salisbury is a great place to coach and I remain as grateful as ever to call myself a Falcon.”