The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Making a splash
Hornets open season with bang at Eastern
By Tom Kirvan, Editor
PUBLISHED: September 1, 2005
Saline took a liking to the collegiate atmosphere of Eastern Michigan University's Rynearson Stadium last Saturday.
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So much so that the Saline-Northville game resembled one of the traditional opening game mismatches of the college season, where a major conference power picks apart a patsy as a tune up for greater challenges to come.
As the opening contest in the much-ballyhooed Big Day Prep Showdown at EMU, the Hornet-Mustang game served as a showcase for a potent Saline offense in the 40-13 win.
It also was the coming-out party for Hornet halfback Eric Williams, a two-sport star at Ypsilanti Lincoln last year. Williams, one of the top sprinters and long jumpers in the state last spring for the Railsplitters, displayed his gridiron ability in abundance on Saturday, scoring three touchdowns to lead Saline to the romp.
"He had a great game with 194 all-purpose yards," said Saline Coach Mike Glennie of the transfer from Lincoln. "His punt return in the first quarter really got us going. He has 4.3 speed in the 40 and it really showed on that play. He can out run defenders who have the angle on him."
After fullback Vince Helmuth opened the scoring with a 9-yard TD run in the first quarter, Williams dazzled the crowd at EMU with a 56-yard punt return, zigzagging through a slew of Northville players en route to the end zone.
Minutes later, it was Williams again, leaving more Northville defenders in his wake on a 35-yard touchdown run. For good measure, teammate Austin Trott put an exclamation point on Saline's first half scoring, racing 88 yards to pay dirt.
Keith Marsh gave Saline a 34-0 lead in the third quarter on a 14-yard run, while Williams closed out Saline's scoring in the fourth with a 65-yard TD.
"We have some very good backs," said Coach Glennie in perhaps the understatement of the early season. "Several of our backups would be starting and probably starring on some other teams."
Senior quarterback Nick Sheridan drew praise from Coach Glennie for a "fine performance" in his starting debut. Sheridan completed 5-of-13 for 60 yards, rushing twice for 18 yards.
"Nick did a very good job directing the offense," said Glennie. "He played with poise and didn't show any first game jitters. His stats would have been better but we had a couple of dropped balls."
While Williams led the Saline rushing attack with 104 yards on just three carries, Helmuth was nearly as impressive, pounding the Mustang line for 75 yards on 10 rushes.
"Vince really looked sharp, especially on defense," said Glennie. "He and Jimmy Zak really bottled up their offense. Their quarterback spent a good part of the day on his rear end, thanks to them and Keith O'Brien and Justin Rajabian. They really applied the pressure."
Saline will square off against Ypsilanti Lincoln on Friday in a homecoming of sorts for Williams. Last year, Williams led the Railsplitters in rushing with more than 900 yards.
"Even though we played well and didn't have any turnovers and just a few penalties, we still have a lot of work to do to be a good football team," said Glennie. "Playing on the road is always a challenge, especially against a league school."
The home opener for the Hornets is Friday, Sept. 9 against Ann Arbor Pioneer, which fell to Plymouth Canton in its opener last week.
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