Saline Rolls Over Brighton in Season Opener

It was an impressive opening night for the Saline football team as the Hornets routed a strong Brighton team 42-3 Thursday night.

Both Saline and Brighton were considered highly-ranked teams in the preseason polls, but it was the Hornets that dominated from the start and cruised to the big win.

Saline took the opening drive down the field and found the endzone first when James Rush scored from 15-yards out for a 7-0 lead.

Brighton answered with a field goal with eight seconds left in the first to cut the lead to 7-3, but Saline quickly answered when CJ Carr hit LaDanian Woods on a slant pass and he sprinted 80 yards for a score on the final play of the first for a 14-3 lead.

On the Hornets next possession, Saline converted on 4th
and 11 to keep the drive going and a short time later Carr ran it in himself from five yards out for a 21-3 lead.

Brighton missed a field goal late in the half to keep the score 21-3 at the half.

Saline would begin to pour it on in the third with a one-yard TD run by Isaiah Harris for a 28-3 lead.

Rush found the endzone from eight yards out for his second score of the night and Zain Issa wrapped up the scoring with a five-yard touchdown run.

The Hornets outgained Brighton 448-198 in total yards, including 294-112 through the air.

Carr finished 20-29 through the air for 307 yards, one score, and one interception. He also rushed for 36 yards and a score.

Dylan Mesman and Caid Fox each finished with six catches for 78 yards. Jaiden Leonard caught three passes for 72 yards, and Woods two for 81.

Rush finished with seven carries for 47 yards and two scores to lead the ground attack. Issa ran six times for 33 yards, Woods one for 21, and Ian Furlong two for eight yards.

Jacob Piniatoglou was six for six for extra points for the Hornets on the night.

Saline will host Dexter in a key SEC Red showdown in the home opener Friday night.