nTime: 7:30 p.m.
nRecords: East Rowan 0-0; Salisbury 1-0
nSeries: Salisbury leads 24-10
nLast meeting: East ended a 20-game county losing streak with a 42-21 victory over the Hornets in Brian Hinson’s first game as head coach.
nLast week: East did not play; Salisbury beat South Rowan 16-14
nNext week: More county rivalries. East is at North Rowan; Salisbury is at Carson
nGame notes: East opens the 2008 season coming off a solid 2007 campaign that saw the Mustangs rack up seven wins, including four over county opponents.
East graduated a huge senior class but it still has horse Thomas Lowe, who racked up a school-record 1,779 yards as a sophomore, all-county safety/receiver/returner Ben DeCelle and most of its defensive line.
East ended a five-game losing streak to Salisbury when it beat the Hornets last season. Salisbury couldn’t stop Lowe, who ran for 198 yards and matched the school record with four touchdowns.
Four members of Lowe’s offensive line will be new this season, however ó everyone except center Nathan Robbins ó and that could be a factor tonight.
Salisbury opened with a hotly contested victory over South Rowan at Ludwig Stadium. The Hornets were outgained and threw for only 10 yards, but they still found a way to win.
They are 49-17 since coach Joe Pinyan took over prior to the 2003 season and would love to give Pinyan his 50th victory tonight.
Senior Dario Hamilton rushed for 83 yards in the opener and has 2,699 rushing yards and 39 TDs for his career. A.J. Ford had 121 rushing yards and also hauled a fumble 80 yards for a touchdown.
DB Martin Hosch-Cathcart had a pick and a fumble recovery last week.