By RYAN Jones

sports@vindy.com

SALEM

Niles’ offense performed as if a 45-minute weather delay to start Friday’s contest at Reilly Stadium never happened.

Led by a mammoth offensive line, an up-tempo offense and the play of quarterback Stefan Yuhas, Niles posted a 34-0 halftime margin en route to a 41-23 victory against winless Salem (0-3).

First-year Niles coach Brian Shaner said the first half of football was special.

“On offense. that first half was just about as perfect as you can be,” he said. “It was fantastic. Our line played great and Stefan Yuhas showed that he is a complete quarterback, not just a runner.”

Yuhas, who rushed for 262 yards and five touchdowns in the first two games of the season, connected on touchdown passes of 25 and 63 yards for unbeaten Niles (3-0) in the second quarter.

The 5-foot-10 inch senior was an efficient 10 of 16 for 188 yards and two scores. He also tallied 119 rushing yards and another score on the ground.

“He [Yuhas] can make all the throws that we need him to,” Shaner said. “He’s a phenomenal player, as is wide receiver Marcus Hill.”

Yuhas hooked up with Hill—who led all receivers with five catches and 103 yards—for a 25-yard touchdown with 4:52 left in the second quarter to give the Red Dragons a 26-0 lead.

After a three-and-out by Salem, Yuhas lofted a beautiful pass to wideout Chris Parry, who broke a tackle en route to a 68-yard score and a 33-0 advantage.

As pleased as Shaner was with his offense, he said he defense has been the rock of his team.

“These guys just keep getting better each week,” he said. “I love to talk about our offensive line and our quarterback play, but these guys are more and more exciting each time out. This unit is just scratching the surface of their potential.”

The Red Dragons’ aggressive style of defense harassed Salem quarterback Trace Jenkins into three interceptions and six sacks. The third Niles’ pick was returned 50 yards for a touchdown by Josh Mango for a 41-0 lead early in the third quarter.

Salem coach Ron Johnson said he told his players at halftime they probably were not going to win.

“I stressed to the guys that we are only guaranteed 48 minutes of football each week and that we had 24 to go,” he said. “In the second half, I wanted us to play our best 24 minutes of football to date.”

The Quakers responded by scoring all 23 of their points after intermission, but Niles’ reserves played much of the second half.

“We have to use the time we get to play wisely,” Johnson said. “We have to get better one block, one snap, and one tackle at a time. The guys know we have a lot of work to do, and the great thing is they really care about Salem football.”

Marcus Crittenden led Salem with two scores, one by way of a 48-yard touchdown reception, and the other a 9-yard TD run.

Jenkins went 12 of 31 passing for 198 yards and a touchdown.