Scranton’s 2-0 beginning to the football season, includes the fastest possible start to Friday night’s game.
Lamaire Saldano returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown and the Knights were also able to come up with a big finish when they needed one.
Billy Maloney threw 25 yards to Donato Stepney for the game-winning score with 1:38 remaining to lift Scranton to a 21-14 road victory over Wyoming Valley West.
The Spartans had tied the game, 14-14, minutes earlier when quarterback Lucas Zdancewicz ran 30 yards for a score.
Each team managed a kick return for a touchdown in the first quarter of what turned into a defensive struggle.
From there, Maloney, Stepney and Donovan Laybourn-Boddie combined to lead Scranton to victory.
Maloney went 6-for-12 for 96 yards passing while carrying 16 times for 58 yards.
Stepney caught 3 passes for 68 yards and contributed five tackles and five assists on defense.
Both Maloney and Stepney had interceptions as the Knights picked off 3 passes along with limiting the Spartans ground game to 78 yards on 31 carries.
Laybourn-Boddie made three tackles and assisted on seven others. He also ran 2 yards for the second-quarter score that put Scranton back ahead after Devon Suda returned a punt 36 yards for Wyoming Valley West’s first touchdown.
Craig Pabst matched Stepney’s team-best production of five tackles and five assists and made one of his tackles for a loss. Adan Salazar had three tackles for losses.
Zdancewicz was 12-for-21 for 177 yards passing for Wyoming Valley West. Nick Giza pulled in 5 passes for 58 yard while Maki Wells caught 3 for 54 yards.
Isaiah Cobb led the defense for the Spartans (0-2) with 5 tackles, including 2 for losses, and 10 assists.
