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Game Results
vs.
Avon Old Farms
Loss
35-63
Knights fall to Avon in season finale, Presley slings season-high five TDs
Salisbury visited undefeated Avon Old Farms this afternoon looking to do one thing: hand the Winged Beavers their first loss of 2025. And despite the Knights’ having one of their best offensive performances of the season, they too met the same fate as the eight other teams that have faced Avon this season — a loss.
Following a touchback on the opening kickoff, Salisbury began play from its own 25-yard line. Things quickly went south for the Knights, as standout tailback Osi Yearwood ’27 fumbled the ball on his first carry of the day. Avon needed less than two minutes to capitalize on the turnover, employing a mix of chunk runs and quick passes en route to the end zone. A successful extra point made it 7–0 early.
A quick three-and-out gave Avon the ball around midfield for its second possession of the game, and just like the first time, the Winged Beavers found the end zone. A quarterback draw was the play call that secured the touchdown this time, giving the home team a 14–0 advantage less than four minutes into the game.
On the Knights’ third offensive series of the contest, things started moving in the right direction. A first down moved the sticks early in the drive, and a key pass interference call against Avon moved the ball into Winged Beavers territory. Salisbury picked up another first down in unconventional fashion after Yearwood fumbled the ball right into the arms of fullback Cooper Bunce ’29. The third former reversed field following the midair recovery, picking up 15 yards on one of the weirdest plays of the season. The quick thinking of Bunce paid high dividends for Salisbury, as a quick screen pass from quarterback Ejai Presley ’26 to wide receiver Kane Pritchett ’28 got the Knights on the board. The score sat at 14–7 with 3:26 to go in the first.
Avon wasted little time pushing its lead back to 14 points — hitting a 68-yard touchdown pass immediately following the score. The Winged Beavers’ QB located his tight end, Jackson Lent, a Georgetown University commit, in the flat. The 6'3", 240-pound pass catcher then raced up the sideline, breaking three tackles and running through a Salisbury defender on his way to the end zone.
The quick score did not deter the Knights, though, and two first downs swiftly put the ball in the Avon half. A nice run to the outside by Yearwood, accompanied by an Avon unnecessary roughness penalty, had Salisbury in scoring position soon after, and a strike from Presley to Jake Smith ’26 made it a one-possession ball game. A failed extra point kept the score 21–13 entering the second frame.
But as they did on their first three drives, the Winged Beavers found the end zone on the ensuing drive — this time on a beautifully thrown ball to the back pylon. There was little Salisbury could do in coverage to break up the perfect pitch and catch.
Another three-and-out for the Knights following the fourth touchdown spelled recipe for disaster, with Avon marching into the red zone looking to extend its lead. Thankfully, an attempted trick play that featured a receiver throwing to the end zone was intercepted by Yearwood, keeping the Winged Beavers out of the end zone. The takeaway didn’t amount to much, though, and a stalled drive forced the Knights to punt.
And on its first play of the drive, Avon went for it all — taking a deep shot downfield, looking to extend the score. The only problem? Yearwood was back there lurking in coverage, and just like the previous drive, the fifth former picked it off. And this time, Salisbury capitalized on the interception. A nice scramble by Presley placed the ball at the Knights’ 49-yard line as halftime neared, and a busted coverage down the right side gave Smith an easy 51-yard touchdown reception to bring the score to 28–20. Credit to the Salisbury offensive line on the play, as Presley had all day to throw from a clean pocket.
Despite the highlight-reel touchdown, it was Avon that got the last laugh of the half — driving down the field in a mere 24 seconds to go ahead 35–20 entering halftime. They did the exact same thing to start the third quarter too, needing just 57 seconds to go the length of the field and make it 42–20.
Salisbury responded with a score of its own on the next drive, largely thanks to a big reception by Smith that put Salisbury at the one-yard line. After a couple of running plays were snuffed out by the Avon defensive front, Presley improvised in the backfield and bought time before finding Smith in the back of the end zone for his third touchdown of the day. A successful fake point-after try — that featured the holder, Smith, throwing a pass to Bunce — trimmed the deficit to 42–28 with 4:02 to play in the third.
Another Avon touchdown was promptly forgotten thanks to a 75-yard receiving touchdown by tight end Parker Guiltinan ’26. The postgraduate lacrosse star went untouched on his sprint to the end zone, making it 49–35. The score also served as Presley’s fifth passing touchdown of the day — a new season high. He would later leave the game due to injury.
The Winged Beavers added two more touchdowns in the closing minutes of the game. The Knights, meanwhile, did not find the end zone again.
The loss marks the end of an up-and-down season for the Knights. They’ll look to build off this season’s four wins in 2026.
vs.
Williston Northampton
Loss
7-34
Williston dominates Salisbury on both sides of the ball, wins 34–7
Salisbury welcomed Williston Northampton this afternoon for the Knights’ final home game of the 2025 season. With temperatures hovering in the 40s at game time and wind gusts of up to 25 miles per hour, the air felt like football: cold and bruising. Unfortunately for Salisbury, Williston also ended up dealing quite a few bruises on its way to a 34–7 drubbing of the Knights.
Salisbury employed a balanced offensive attack on its opening possession, with some nice runs by tailback Osi Yearwood ’27 mixed with quick passes by quarterback Ejai Presley ’26. The system worked well for the first few plays but quickly got off track when Presley was intercepted near midfield. Williston wasted little time making the Knights pay for the turnover, scoring on a 39-yard end-around touchdown to take a 6–0 lead. Salisbury’s second drive didn’t produce much better, as a punt by Liam Colley ’26 gave the Wildcats the ball once more. And once more, Williston cashed in—this time on a 38-yard rushing touchdown—giving them a 12–0 lead just over five minutes into the contest. Several missed tackles by Salisbury allowed the play to reach paydirt.
Salisbury’s third drive stalled around midfield after a few nice runs by Yearwood initially moved the ball with some juice. Following another punt by Colley, the Wildcats marched right down the field—incorporating a few chunk plays through the air and on the ground—and extended their lead to 18–0. A successful two-point conversion made it 20–0 in favor of the visitors with two minutes to play in the first.
More missed tackles, accompanied by Williston’s use of the wildcat formation—something Salisbury struggled mightily against in last week’s 45–38 loss to Cheshire—pushed the score to 27–0 early in the second quarter. One final first-half Wildcat touchdown had the score sitting at 34–0 when halftime arrived.
The Knights’ defense made a strong goal-line stand in the third quarter, keeping Williston out of the end zone despite the Wildcats knocking on the door once more. Despite a nice pitch and catch from Presley to Kane Prichett ’28 on the ensuing drive to move the ball a bit, another punt followed.
The two sides exchanged a series of stalled drives for much of the second half until Yearwood finally got Salisbury on the board with a 44-yard rushing touchdown with 1:46 remaining. The fifth-form captain had the ball stripped earlier in the drive but was able to recover it himself and give himself a second chance. A successful point-after try by Colley made it 34–7, which ended up being the final score.
Salisbury will try to finish the season on a high note when it visits Avon Old Farms next Saturday, November 8, for its final game of the season. Start time is 3 p.m.
vs.
Cheshire Academy
Loss
38-45
Knights unable to pull off improbable comeback against Cheshire, fall 45-38
Salisbury visited Cheshire Academy Friday evening looking to secure the Knights’ first above-.500 season since 2019. Despite a short week for both teams—the schools had Mid-Fall Break last weekend—energy was abundant. And while Cheshire fed off that energy for the first 44 minutes, dominating the Knights in all facets of the game, it was Salisbury who came alive late to set up an exhilarating finish.
Cheshire opened the scoring early on its first drive of the contest, marching down the field with ease using a run-heavy attack. A rushing touchdown gave them an early 7-0 lead. Salisbury didn’t do itself any favors on the ensuing possession, with a false start penalty occurring before a costly turnover deep in its own end. Tailback Osi Yearwood ’27 attempted to bounce the ball outside on his first run of the day but had it punched out by a Cats’ defender. The Cheshire defense pounced on it, recovering the ball and soon after scoring its second touchdown of the quarter to go ahead 14-0.
Salisbury was unable to get much going on offense for the majority of the first half, going down 17-0 before a Liam Colley ’26 field goal ended the shutout bid midway through the second quarter. Quarterback Ejai Presley ’26 utilized an excellent QB draw play call to get his team in scoring range on the drive. Another Cheshire touchdown, this one a 45-yard run to the house with under four minutes to go in the first half, put the home team up 24-3 at halftime.
A nice pitch and catch from Presley to tight end Parker Guiltinan ’26 on Salisbury’s opening drive of the third quarter gave the team an early first down, but things stalled soon after and out came the punting unit. Luckily for the Knights, a costly botched snap on Cheshire’s first play of the third quarter gave Salisbury the ball at the one-yard line. Yearwood wasted no time, punching it in and trimming the deficit to 24-10. That two-score margin didn’t last long, however, as the Cats cashed in on another long run—this one for 50 yards—to make it 31-10 halfway through the third. And after another stalled Knights drive, Cheshire pushed its lead to 38-10 thanks to a 55-yard punt return touchdown.
A chunk play by Guiltinan moved the ball into Cheshire territory on the next drive, and a 31-yard burst up the middle by Yearwood brought the game back to three possessions with 31 seconds left in the third. That margin only lasted for five minutes, though, as another back-breaking run from the Cats—44 yards this time—made the score 45-17 with 7:33 remaining.
For many teams, the special teams blunder accompanied by the late touchdown would signal the end of the game. Down 28 with seven minutes to play—“what’s the point?” most would ask. The point, as Coach Phelps’ squad would go on to showcase, is it ain’t over ’til it’s over.
A strong kickoff return by Jake Smith ’26 set Salisbury up at its own 44-yard line following the Cheshire score. And after a clutch fourth down conversion by Guiltinan—who was phenomenal all night long—the Knights would ultimately punch it in from two yards out, with Yearwood tallying his third touchdown of the night. The score read 45-24 with 3:16 remaining now.
Then came some masterful trickery by the Salisbury special teams unit. Placekicker Colley lined up for the onside kick with Cheshire in perfect position to cover the side of the field he was facing. As Colley raised his hand to signal the kick, Grafton Reilly ’27 approached the ball and booted it, in the opposite direction. Guiltinan, right on cue, sprinted to the uncovered section of the field, promptly falling on it and giving his team a chance. It couldn’t have gone any better.
On the first play of the drive, Presley hit Smith on a go route down the right side, putting the Knights at the eight-yard line. A defensive pass interference penalty in the end zone then moved the ball to the one. Salisbury needed just one play from the edge of the goal line to cash in. A swift fake handoff to Yearwood—who Cheshire fully expected to get the ball in the goal-to-go situation—by Presley allowed the quarterback to roll out to his left and find a wide-open Max Koh ’28 sitting in the end zone. It was now just 45-31 with 2:38 to play.
A second onside kick attempt—this one by Colley—was unsuccessful, giving the Cats the ball with a prime opportunity to put the game on ice. Little did Cheshire know Yearwood wasn’t planning on going home yet.
The fifth form captain, who plays cornerback on defense despite being the star tailback, met the Cheshire back in the open field on third and short. But rather than just wrap him up for the tackle, and let the clock continue to tick down, Yearwood stripped the ball away and gave his team a chance. Nothing but strength and utter dominance by the captain.
What happened next? Oh, only a 50-yard touchdown from Presley to Smith to make it 45-38 with less than a minute remaining. Pure pandemonium on the Salisbury sideline. And rightfully so.
A second failed onside kick gave Cheshire the ball back with another chance to ice the game, and this time, despite Salisbury possessing three timeouts, the home team got the first down it needed. Final score: Cheshire 45, Salisbury 38.
For a game that was once deemed a blowout, with Cheshire leading 45-17 with under four minutes left, Salisbury made things more than interesting. There is plenty to be proud of despite the improbable comeback effort coming up short.
Salisbury will celebrate Senior Day in its next contest on Saturday, November 1, when it welcomes Williston Northampton to the Hilltop. Start time is 3 p.m.
vs.
Suffield Academy
Win
48-27
Knights erupt for season-high 48 points, Presley slings four TDs as Yearwood scores thrice
Salisbury quarterback Ejai Presley ’26 said pregame that he wanted his team to “bring the energy early” tonight against Suffield, and boy, did they ever—riding four first-half touchdowns to a 48-27 thumping of the Tigers in front of a raucous Fall Family Weekend crowd.
The first paydirt of the evening came on Salisbury’s opening drive and took only two minutes and 21 seconds. A balance of outside runs by tailback Osi Yearwood ’27—Suffield struggled dearly to set the edge all night—and quick passes by Presley helped move the ball down the field efficiently. Yearwood eventually took it for a 28-yard house call to put his team ahead 7-0 early.
Suffield responded with a score of its own, hitting a deep pass to quickly tie the game at 7-7. The back-and-forth affair continued in the first quarter as the Knights scored their second touchdown of the day on a pitch-and-catch from Presley to tight end Parker Guiltinan ’26 as time expired. The sixth form tight end looked especially sharp on the drive, as did wideout Jake Smith ’26, who made a number of nice receptions. A failed point-after try left the score at 13-7 Salisbury entering the second.
Suffield cut the deficit to three midway through the quarter on a field goal, but just like the first time the Tigers scored, Salisbury responded. A pinpoint throw from the pocket by Presley hit Kane Pritchett ’27 in stride on a drag route, and the fourth form receiver did the rest himself, racing up the sideline for a 70-yard touchdown to put the Knights ahead 20-10 with 4:09 remaining in the half.
Following an excellent defensive series for Salisbury, Presley & Co. delivered once more, extending their lead to 27-10. A strong run by Yearwood set up Smith for a crisp comeback route in the red zone, and the postgrad Swiss Army knife made a defender miss for his first score of the evening. A late field goal by Suffield made it 27-13 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Salisbury continued to have its way on both sides of the ball, with Presley finding Smith once more on the offense’s first possession of the half. A beautiful 31-yard throw downfield made things easy for Smith, allowing him to waltz in for the score. The 34-13 cushion wasn’t enough for the Knights, however.
Following a perfectly played interception by Jackson Slack ’26 that set Salisbury up at midfield, Yearwood made Suffield pay—gashing the Tigers’ defense for multiple big runs before punching it in to make it 41-13 entering the fourth quarter. Suffield responded with a slow, methodical drive of its own, cutting the score to 41-20. A successful onside kick gave the Tigers the ball once more, but a crucial fourth-down sack by Slack got the Salisbury defense off the field.
It took just one play for the offense to show its appreciation for Slack’s clutch tackle, with Yearwood ripping off an 82-yard rushing touchdown to make it 48-20. The fifth form captain followed his blockers to the right, then planted his foot, cut back to the left, and headed upfield. No one was catching Yearwood once he found open space.
Back on defense, a few nice plays by Suffield provided a scoring threat once again, but a tipped ball in the end zone was intercepted by safety Nate Herzog ’27. All 5-foot-9, 160 pounds of Herzog pointed to the night sky in celebration following the pick. He was greeted by a particularly fired-up bench when he returned to the sideline.
In the final minutes of the game, Salisbury’s reserves got meaningful reps. Highlighted by a big run by backup tailback Liam Colley ’26—who serves as the team’s placekicker and a starting linebacker—Herzog also went for a solid run out of the backfield and received the handoff from QB2 Beau Bisceglie ’28.
A late Suffield score pushed the total to 48-27, but the game had already been put on ice and the celebration was on.
The victory gets Salisbury back in the win column as they improve to 4-2 entering fall break. The Knights will return to action on Friday, Oct. 24, when they travel to Cheshire Academy for a 6 p.m. game.
vs.
Phillips Exeter Academy
Loss
21-38
Knights come out slow in 38-21 loss to Exeter
Salisbury made the 200-mile, three-and-a-half-hour journey to Exeter, New Hampshire, to take on Exeter Academy this afternoon – its longest trip of the season by far. And whether it was rustiness from the bus ride, the lack of depth that has occasionally reared its ugly head this season, or simply being outplayed, the Knights struggled against the Big Red, falling by a score of 38-21.
An excellent punt by Liam Colley ’26 pinned Exeter at its own five-yard line after Salisbury’s opening drive stalled out around midfield. The poor field position meant little to the Big Red, however, as a run-heavy attack sprinkled with screens helped move the ball into the Salisbury zone with efficiency. The Knights’ defense was able to tighten up with their backs against their goal line, though, holding Exeter to a field goal with 5:12 remaining in the first.
After a second Salisbury drive fizzled out, Exeter utilized that same play calling to drive into the red zone with efficiency. And despite the Knights being able to force Exeter into a 4th & 4 situation from the 20-yard line, the Big Red went for it all – cashing in on a pitch-and-catch in the back of the end zone to go up 10-0 as the first quarter came to an end.
A third Knights drive came and went without much production, while a third Big Red possession once again resulted in points. A 36-yard run by tailback Fogo Filani – in which he broke multiple tackles and bounced it outside to beat Salisbury cornerback Osi Yearwood ’27 to the pylon – made it 17-0 early in the second frame.
Salisbury was able to put together its best drive of the game up to that point on its next possession, driving deep into Exeter territory thanks to a few nice runs by quarterback Ejai Presley ’26 and a pass interference penalty on a throw to Jake Smith ’26. Self-inflicted wounds – mainly penalties – killed the drive right as it started to take off, though, forcing the Knights to punt once more.
A series of chunk plays rapidly put Exeter within striking distance once more with under two minutes to go in the half, and just like the previous drive, Filani made Salisbury pay. The tailback took it in from 38 yards out on a simple halfback dive up the middle, breaking an unbelievable eight tackles on his way to the end zone.
The score sat at 24-0 when halftime arrived.
Exeter picked up right where it left off in the second half, scoring on its first play from scrimmage. Tailback Tyrone Neal slotted in at quarterback in the wildcat formation from his own 47-yard line, faked a handoff to Filani, then took it the distance to extend Exeter’s lead to 31-0.
Salisbury was able to stop the bleeding soon after, finally reaching pay dirt thanks to a Parker Guiltinan ’26 receiving touchdown. The sixth form tight end broke multiple tackles on his way to the end zone. Minutes later, Osi Yearwood ’27 made the defensive play of the day for the Knights, stripping the ball away from an Exeter player and taking it the distance to make it 31-14. While the stat sheet will show a forced fumble and fumble recovery for the junior captain, that is an understatement of how phenomenal the play was.
Even so, the Big Red scored once more, going ahead 38-14, with Neal punching it in for his second of the day with 5:52 remaining in the game.
Backup quarterback Beau Bisceglie ’28 relieved Presley of his duties in the fourth and managed to lead a touchdown drive to cut the score to a respectable 38-21. He made some nice throws to Smith in particular and handed the ball to Yearwood, who scored on goal-to-go.
The Knights will try to get back on track on Friday, October 17, when they host Suffield Academy for a 6:00 p.m. game under the lights for Fall Family Weekend.
vs.
Deerfield Academy
Win
34-20
Knights roll past Deerfield as Presley accounts for 4 TDs
Salisbury welcomed Deerfield to the Hilltop this afternoon, aiming to not only find win No. 3 of the season but also enjoy bragging rights for a deeper reason: the Barbato Bowl. Deerfield's Head Coach, Brian Barbato, is the brother of Salisbury's Defensive Coordinator, Brent Barbato '02, creating a rivalry-like atmosphere every time the teams meet. And this year, the Salisbury Barbato got the last laugh, with the Knights winning 34–20.
Salisbury opened the scoring quickly in the first by marching down the field to grab a 6–0 lead. A nice mix of run and pass plays keyed the drive, including a strong catch-and-run on a screen pass to Jake Smith '26 to move the ball down the field. Tailback Osi Yearwood '27 was the one who crossed the pylon, ripping off a touchdown run from just outside the red zone.
The Knights expanded their lead in the second, with quarterback Ejai Presley '26 finding fullback Cooper Bunce '29 in a goal-to-go situation. The third former Bunce has seen an increased role as the season has gone on, and today he found the end zone for the first (and second) time. The score made it 13–0 Knights early in the second.
Salisbury kept its foot on the gas to close the half, utilizing Smith in the screen game once more and multiple energized runs by Yearwood to move the ball efficiently. Presley's first of two rushing touchdowns capped off the drive, putting Salisbury ahead 20–0 at halftime.
Deerfield didn't go away quietly in the second half, with a nifty lateral tricking the Knights’ defense into giving up a long passing touchdown on its first drive of the third quarter. And while Salisbury tried to keep it going on offense, the team stalled for multiple drives, allowing the Big Green to score a second touchdown—cutting the lead to 20–14 with under 10 minutes to play in the game.
The Knights weren’t interested in letting the rival Barbato prevail, however.
On the ensuing Salisbury drive following Deerfield's second touchdown, Presley made pure magic happen. After taking the snap from a shotgun formation, the postgraduate signal-caller looked to his left, didn’t like what he saw, then tucked the ball and headed upfield. He knifed through the Big Green defense solely with speed and raw athleticism, taking it in for a 67-yard touchdown run with eight minutes to go. The score gave the Knights a 27–14 cushion as the clock ticked down.
A fourth-down stop by the Salisbury defense gave Presley & Co. great field position in the closing minutes, and unsurprisingly, the QB capitalized—finding Bunce once again for a short touchdown. A late Deerfield touchdown cut the lead to 34–20, but the game was put on ice when Bunce found pay dirt once more.
The win improves Salisbury's record to 3–1 on the season—eclipsing its win total from a season ago. The Knights will look to move to 4–1 next Saturday, October 11, when they make the long drive to Exeter Academy for a 3:30 p.m. game.
vs.
Phillips Academy Andover
Win
28-7
Knights dominant against Andover, improve to 2-1 with 28-7 victory
Salisbury running back Osi Yearwood '27 ran for 154 yards on 18 carries, postgraduate quarterback Ejai Presley '26 threw for 180 yards and a score, and the Knights' defense held Andover to just 154 yards of offense in Saturday's thumping of the Big Blue.
Salisbury grabbed a 7-0 lead in the first quarter courtesy of a Yearwood rushing touchdown from one yard out. Presley orchestrated the offense with a mix of short and intermediate throws to help guide the Knights the length of the field. Big catches by wideout Kane Pritchett '27 and tight end Parker Guiltinan '26 helped set up the Yearwood score.
The Knights doubled their lead in the second, going ahead 14-0 on a blazing 93-yard rushing touchdown by Yearwood. The fifth-form tailback cut to the left from inside his own 10-yard line, and once he reached the second level it was good night.
In the second half, Salisbury continued to have its way against the Big Blue defense. Guiltinan reached the end zone for the first time this season on a sliding 15-yard grab to put the Knights up 21-0 entering the fourth.
In the final quarter, Presley used his legs to extend the lead to 28-0, scoring on a 9-yard run. The fourth touchdown of the day wouldn't have been possible without a key 62-yard pitch and catch to wide receiver Burke Cameron '26. The sixth former got loose down the left side, and Presley dropped it right in the bucket, setting Salisbury up in the red zone. A late touchdown by Andover spoiled the shutout, but the game was out of reach.
The dominant win serves as the Knights' most complete game of the season. They'll look to do it again on Saturday, October 4, when they host Deerfield. Start time is 3:00 p.m.
vs.
Brunswick School
Loss
34-21
Knights unable to maintain first half momentum, fall to Brunswick 21-34
Salisbury welcomed Brunswick Friday evening for the Knights’ home opener. And through the first two quarters, it seemed fans were going to be treated to an instant classic. The Bruins, however, had different plans and were able to pull away in the second half — shutting out the Salisbury attack.
The first quarter began with plenty of fireworks, starting with a Brunswick field goal and a 63-yard passing touchdown to go up 10-0 early. Salisbury responded with a splash of their own, with tailback and team captain Osi Yearwood ’27 ripping off a 17-yard rushing touchdown to make the score 10-7 entering the second frame. Yearwood finished the day with 62 yards on 18 carries.
In the second, Salisbury wasted little time grabbing its first lead of the night, with quarterback Ejai Presley ’26 finding pay dirt from a yard out — giving the Knights a 14-10 advantage. The postgraduate’s athleticism was on display throughout the contest. He added 56 yards on the ground on nine carries — a trend that Head Coach Chris Phelps hopes will become the norm. Brunswick responded following the score, cashing in with a seven-yard rushing touchdown to regain the lead, 17-14.
Presley & Co. were not deterred by the Bruins’ potent attack, though, with the signal-caller finding wideout Kane Pritchett ’28 for a 75-yard passing touchdown — the longest of the young season for the Knights. The fourth former hauled in five catches for 110 yards on the day — a new season high.
The home crowd erupted with the score, as it seemed a shootout was brewing. Little did they know that would be the final time Salisbury would touch the scoreboard.
A late three-yard touchdown run by Brunswick gave the visitors a 24-21 lead at halftime. Then, in the second half, the Bruins’ defense stepped up — suffocating the Salisbury offense for 24 minutes. An additional Brunswick field goal in the third and a 34-yard touchdown pass in the fourth pushed the lead to 34-21, but in reality, none of the scoring was necessary. Despite Presley finishing 14/21 for 186 yards, and a solid 39 yards on five catches from postgraduate receiver Jake Smith ’26, the Knights couldn’t create a scoring threat in the third and fourth quarters. The defense was too strong.
Salisbury will look to get back on the winning side of things on Saturday, September 27, when they host Andover for a 3:00 p.m. game.
vs.
Kent School
Win
35-21
Knights hold on to beat Kent, Presley throws 3 TDs in Salisbury debut
Salisbury kicked off its 2025 season with a trip down to Kent this evening with an emphasis on one thing: big plays. Whether it was intentional or not, four of the five Salisbury touchdowns came on plays of 30 or more yards—opening the rest of the offense all game long.
The Salisbury defense—in particular the front seven—was lively on Kent’s first possession, getting into the backfield and forcing the Lions quarterback off-script regularly. They quickly forced a punt, setting the offense up at midfield. A few quick passes to wideout Jake Smith ’26, mixed with some counter runs by tailback Osi Yearwood ’27, had the Knights moving early in the first. The drive stalled, however, when quarterback Ejai Presley '26 took a deep shot down the left sideline to Smith and was intercepted inside the 10-yard line.
Unlike its first possession, Kent found its footing after the pick. A decisive, screen-based passing game and quarterback-option-heavy attack helped the Lions march the length of the field, culminating in a 22-yard rushing touchdown. The score put the home team ahead 6-0 entering the second quarter.
The interception didn’t deter Presley, who kept slinging it to Smith on the ensuing drive, moving the ball across midfield in just a few plays. From there it was all Yearwood, who ripped off a 41-yard rushing touchdown to put the Knights ahead following a Liam Colley ’26 point-after try. The 2024 all-conference tailback patiently ran to his right before cutting back left and accelerating toward the pylon.
Kent responded with a slow, methodical drive and found the end zone once more. University of Massachusetts Amherst commit Cooper Long ’26 spent nearly every play in the backfield for the Knights, blowing up both passing and rushing attempts. Even so, the Lions had an answer when they needed it—punching the ball in and adding the extra point to regain the lead, 13-7.
The lead didn’t last long, as Salisbury executed a two-minute drill to perfection, capping it off with a 31-yard pitch-and-catch from Presley to Smith down the right sideline. Presley’s athleticism—which Coach Chris Phelps lauded all preseason—shined on the drive, with the 6’3”, 197-pound signal-caller taking advantage of read-option plays and scrambling when needed. The score put Salisbury ahead 14-13 at halftime.
A strong kick return by Smith gave the Knights good field position to start the third quarter, but a failed third down conversion put the Lions back in control. Their run-heavy offense drove into the red zone, but a crucial fourth-down stop gave Salisbury the ball back near its own end zone.
The score held until Jackson Slack ’26 blocked a Kent punt at midfield, putting Salisbury in prime position to extend its lead. And despite a costly penalty negating a highlight-reel 44-yard touchdown run by Yearwood, the Knights got the job done. A botched snap at Presley’s feet caught the Kent secondary out of position, allowing wide receiver Kane Pritchett ’28 to leak down the right sideline for a touchdown that made it 21-13.
A crafty, fast-twitch 10-yard run by Yearwood gave Salisbury a fresh set of downs entering the fourth quarter. And with that reset, Presley struck again, airing out a deep ball to Smith down the right sideline. The postgraduate from Halfmoon, New York, caught it in stride and raced the final 45 yards to the end zone, completing a 69-yard score—the longest of the day. A gut check to the Lions, who now trailed 28-13.
Kent answered with a score of its own, marching down the field and adding a two-point conversion to make it a one-score game. It would take one more Salisbury touchdown to put the game on ice.
A 27-yard rush by Yearwood quickly put the Knights in Kent territory, but three stuffed runs and a false start penalty left them in danger of letting a comeback brew. Then, right on cue, Presley scrambled right and found Smith once more for a clutch first down. “Ol’ reliable,” as some would call him. Two plays later, Yearwood punched it in for his second touchdown, giving the Knights a comfortable 35-21 advantage.
Kent didn’t go away quietly, returning the ensuing kickoff across midfield. A number of well-designed, get-players-in-space plays helped the Lions drive into the red zone, but once there, Salisbury stayed disciplined and didn’t overcommit. The linebackers, namely Colley and Sebastian Upshire ’27, never bit on fakes—keeping the ball in front of them. A colossal blitz from Upshire on fourth down sealed the win.
The victory serves as what Salisbury hopes will be a sign of things to come for a passing attack that has been sorely missed in recent years. The Knights will be tested again on Friday, September 19, when they host Brunswick for a 6:30 p.m. matchup.
Coaches
Coaches
Head Coach: Chris Phelps
cphelps@salisburyschool.org
Assistant Coaches:
Brent Barbato: Defensive Coordinator, Running Backs/Inside Linebackers
Adam Bunce: Offensive/Defensive Line
Kevin Farr: JV Head Coach, Tight Ends/Outside Linebackers
Dylan Sanchez '18: JV Offensive Coordinator, Running Backs/Defensive Backs
Jon Siff: Tight Ends/Defensive Ends
James Simboli: Wide Receivers/Defensive Backs
Chris joined the Salisbury School community in the fall of 2010 and he has made a positive impact on the Hilltop community ever since.
Chris is originally from Laconia, NH where he attended Laconia High School and captained the football, basketball and track teams. With a passion in history, athletics and education, Chris attended St. Lawrence University (Canton, NY) where he majored in History and became certified to teach social studies. During his time at St. Lawrence University, Chris was a four year starter at quarterback where he garnered ECAC Rookie of the Year honors (’87), All-American honors (’89) and served as a captain during his junior and senior years. Chris presently holds the St. Lawrence record for Most Yards Gained in a Career. Upon graduating Cum Laude from St. Lawrence University in 1991, Chris began a 19 year college coaching career by becoming a graduate assistant coach at the State University of New York at Albany. While coaching the Great Danes, Chris also attended graduate school at the SUNY Albany and earned his Master’s Degree in Liberal Studies in the fall of 1993.
In the fall of 1993, Chris would begin a coaching odyssey that would give him the opportunity to coach at many different institutions; allowing him to coach and recruit talented student-athletes from all across the country. These opportunities would take him to the University of New Hampshire (running backs and wide receiver coach), Hobart College (Offensive Coordinator), Siena College (Head Coach) and most recently back to his alma mater, St. Lawrence University, as the Head Coach for nine seasons. Looking for a professional change that would allow him to follow his true passions in life, working with young men in an educational setting and coaching football, Chris arrived on the Hilltop as the Head Football Coach and the Assistant Director of College Advising. As a college advisor, Chris has enjoyed using his college experience to help his students maneuver through the college search process. Understanding admissions from the college perspective has served as a valuable tool in working with Salisbury’s student. As a football Coach, the Knights Football Team completed three undefeated regular season (2010, 2012 and 2015), three Erickson League Championships (2010, 2012 and 2015) and two Class “A” New England Champions (2010 and 2012). More importantly, Chris has been proud of the number of student-athletes who have decided to continue playing football collegiately; playing at a variety of division 1, 2, and 3 schools.
@SARUMATHLETICS
@SalisburyAthletics
Any Given Week: Salisbury Football Looks to Bounce Back
A year removed from an injury-riddled season that plagued his team, Head Coach Chris Phelps enters his 16th year at the helm of Salisbury Football with a reinvigorated yet calm approach: “any given week.” A saying used throughout all levels of sport, it rings especially true in the ultra-competitive Northeast Prep Football Conference—where wins become losses and losses become wins in the blink of an eye. Add in a yearly non-conference rivalry game with Avon Old Farms, and the Knights’ schedule quickly becomes even more daunting. Salisbury faced nearly half of the top 25 ranked players in Connecticut last season, and this fall will be no different. While many of those close games a year ago went the wrong way for the Knights, there’s reason to believe the opposite could happen this time around.
Led by 2024 First-Team All-Conference tailback Osi Yearwood ’27, one of three team captains this season, Coach Phelps’s squad aims to employ a versatile offensive attack. Where does it start? Up front, in the trenches. Headlined by returner and first-time captain Istvan Szecsei ’26, Salisbury’s offensive line plans to bully defenders with athleticism, intelligence, and, perhaps more than anything, sheer size. Joining Szecsei, who stands at 6’1” and 285 pounds, is fellow returner Aidan Cuff ’27, a towering 6’4”, 310-pound lineman. If that isn’t imposing enough, three newcomers to the Hilltop will certainly inspire fear in opposing defenses. Jacob Roberts ’27, from Neustadt an der Aisch, Germany, measures 6’1” and 250 pounds, while fellow German Knight Leon Marquardt ’28 enters at 6’6” and 280 pounds. Rounding out the group is 6’3”, 305-pound Rocco Famularo ’26, a transfer from Kent School. This unit has bigger plans than just blocking for Yearwood, however.
They will also be tasked with protecting new quarterback Ejai Presley ’26, a dynamic signal-caller from Stamford, Connecticut. Presley’s live arm and ability to throw off-platform from unconventional angles will not only boost the passing game but also clear out the box—creating space for Yearwood to slice through defenses. Presley also brings excellent athleticism, a trait Coach Phelps plans to utilize with read-option plays and designed runs.
The gunslinger is expected to get the ball out quickly to his receivers, keeping opponents on their toes. Andover transfer Jackson Slack ’26, postgraduate Jake Smith ’26, and Kane Pritchett ’28 join a talented group of pass catchers alongside Burke Cameron ’26 on the perimeter. All four possess strong hands and solid speed. Adding to the arsenal are tight ends Cooper Long ’26 and Parker Guiltinan ’26. Long, committed to the University of Massachusetts Amherst, is the team’s third captain and will serve primarily as a blocker—slipping out for the occasional reception while making a larger impact on the defensive line. Guiltinan, committed to Saint Joseph’s University for lacrosse, will provide a more traditional pass-catching presence, settling into open space.
Few expect offense to be a problem for the Knights in 2025; instead, games may come down to their defense. A relatively young group that isn’t the deepest on paper, it still features plenty of contributors who will keep Salisbury competitive against top-tier opponents. Highlighting the pass rush is Long, whose 6’5” frame overpowered opponents last season and will be a force again. Joining him is defensive end Matthew Murphy, a 6’3” postgraduate from Larchmont, New York, who had an excellent preseason camp. Other pass rushers include Guiltinan as well as much of the offensive line.
At linebacker, Slack will team up with fellow newcomer Sebastian Upshire ’27, a sturdy 5’11”, 205-pounder from Sacramento, California. Together, they will serve as the primary stopgaps in the middle of the field. Behind them, a secondary full of dynamic players will look to lock down opponents. Pritchett, a slim, smooth hybrid safety, will also line up at nickel corner in select packages. Smith projects as the primary boundary cornerback, while Cameron and Yearwood will both see extensive reps at safety, as well as at corner.
Special teams—often the forgotten phase of the game—has plenty of storylines, too. Liam Colley ’26 returns as the Knights’ placekicker. The sixth former from Sharon, Connecticut, was reliable last year—especially on extra points and short field goals. His holder will be the versatile Smith, who will also serve as the team’s punter and punt return specialist. Smith will handle some kickoff returns as well, with Yearwood as the primary option. The long snapper for both Smith and Colley will be Cooper Bunce ’29, son of assistant coach and longtime faculty member Adam Bunce. The third former’s 6’3”, 220-pound frame has already translated well to the high school level, and he will likely see reps at fullback too.
Salisbury certainly has the talent to compete this season—each graduating class averages 8–12 players continuing at the college level—and now it comes down to execution, drive, and health. If Coach Phelps’s group can stay on the right side of injury luck, they should be in for a big year.