Dover football quarterback Nahseem Cosme runs the ball against Salesianum, photo courtesy of Mike Lang
During the year 1988, MLB legend Cal Ripken Jr. played in his 1000th consecutive game, Microsoft sold its one-millionth mouse, and McDonald’s opened its ten-thousandth restaurant. That year the Dover Senators won the Division-1 state championship in overtime, 20-13 against Salesianum. Last night a large homecoming crowd celebrated Dover’s first win over the Sals since that title game thirty five years ago.
It was a very memorable victory for head coach Chip Knapp and his team as fireworks exploded following each of the Senators four touchdowns. It was also a special night for one of the state’s most successful track coaches as James H. “Bunchy” Solomon was honored by the school as the track was dedicated in his name and on the scoreboard. Appropriately, one of coach Solomon’s standout track athletes scored twice and gained a game-high 160 yards on the field. Senior Jakwon Kilby ran for both of his scores in the first half to give Dover a lead it would never relinquish in a 27-16 victory.
Salesianum scored the first points of the night when running back B-J Alleyne faked a run, stepped back and fired a pass to Ben Anton in stride for a 57 yard touchdown. Colin Maradik converted the extra point giving the Sals a 7-0 lead with :29 left in the opening quarter. It took Dover just :27 seconds and 2 plays to answer as Kilby broke through the line and raced 60 yards to the end zone. Brandon Yoder tied the game with his point after attempt as the second ranked Senators and third ranked Sals were all square after twelve minutes of action.
Early in the second quarter, Dover outside linebacker Amir Byrom intercepted a Ryan Stoehr pass at the Dover 43 yard line. Kilby had consecutive 21-yard carries on the drive, then punched it in from five yards out. Yoder’s kick gave Dover a 14-7 lead at the half.
The third quarter again saw the two defenses dominating play. The only points scored came on the leg of Salesianum kicker Maradik as he made a 25-yard field goal to cut Dover’s advantage to 14-10.
The Senators drove deep into Sals territory late in the third quarter in a drive that culminated with a John Parker touchdown run on the first play of the fourth. That score gave Dover the first two-possession lead of the game at 21-10. After the Sals were forced to punt, Nahseem Cosme scampered 40 yards down the sideline for a 27-10 Dover lead with 9:20 to go.
Salesianum responded with a 12 yard run by Stoehr with 6:52 left in the game. However, the ensuing onside kick attempt was covered by Dover as the Senators used their run-game to eat up the final minutes of the game to secure the victory. Dover remained unbeaten on the season with a mark of 4-0, while Salesianum suffered its first loss to fall to 3-1.
Kilby rushed for 160 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Cosme gained 116 and a score. Cosme was also named the homecoming king at halftime. As a team, Dover rushed for 327 yards.
The Sals were led by quarterback Stoehr as he completed 13 of 25 passes for 138 yards plus he ran for a score.
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