METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE Salem runs over Struthers, 47-7

The Quakers had 487 total yards, including 375 on the ground.
By DAVE DEVEREUX
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
STRUTHERS -- Salem High football coach Doug Phillips figured with quarterback Landon Heath and receiver Zac Grey returning this season, that the Quakers would be able to pass the football.
He's now finding out they can run it as well.
Senior Bill Mansour rushed for 121 yards, scoring four touchdowns, while senior Lance Buckley carried 12 times for 161 yards and one score, for the Quakers, who defeated Struthers, 47-7, Friday in a Metro Athletic Conference game.
The Quakers (3-2, 2-2) outgained the Wildcats, 487 to 284 in total yards, with 375 coming on the ground.
"It's nice to have versatility," Phillips said. "This was the first time the whole season we played the same offensive line two weeks in a row and we're starting to see some continuity there.
"It's taken us five games to establish something in the running game but our kids believed all along they could get it done," Phillips said.
Mansour leads attack
Leading the Quakers ground attack was Mansour, whose brahma bull style of running gave the Struthers defense fits all night.
The 5-foot-10, 195-pounder ran for touchdown runs of 20, 8, 14 and 6 yards. Not bad, considering, he didn't expect to be apart of the offense until two weeks ago.
"Last week was the first time I touched the ball in a couple years," Mansour said. "They decided to put me in on short yardage. Then I guess they decided to play me more."
Phillips said he hoped that the addition of a power back would give the offense a change of pace.
"Billy Mansour is a big, physical, strong person," Phillips said. "He started on defense and once he established himself on that side of the ball we felt it was time to get him some touches on offense.
"We know Lance Buckley can run and we know Grant Sevek can run and catch," Phillips said. "And with the passing game, adding the power back gives us a nice combination."
33-7 at halftime
Salem built a 33-7 halftime lead after capitalizing three times -- for touchdowns -- off of Struthers turnovers.
After Heath connected with Grey on a 51-yard touchdown pass to open the scoring, the Quakers got the ball right back when Mansour recovered a Struthers fumble at the 20-yard line. Two plays later, Mansour got his hands on the ball again and took the handoff and ran through the arms of three defenders for a 20-yard touchdown.
Following an interception by Mason Schmidt, the Quakers took over at their own 41. On the first play, Buckley broke free for a 59-yard gallop to the end-zone.
The Quakers would stretch the lead to 27-0 at the 4:27 mark of the first half. Struthers quarterback Tim Zetts' pass was tipped and then intercepted by Salem's Travis Milliron, which led to a Mansour 8 yard score.
Struthers scored its lone touchdown on a 5-yard pass from Zetts to sophomore Mike Duponty with 1:51 remaining in the half.
For Salem, Heath finished 4 of 9 passing for 112 yards and one touchdown. Grey caught two passes for 75 yards.
The Struthers offense, which managed 17 first downs, was led by Zetts, who completed 17 of 27 passes for 189 yards. Senior Dave Allen caught six balls for 56 yards while Duponty tallied six grabs for 50 yards and a touchdown.