BY MATT SCHOOLEY

The Central High School football team couldn’t stop Salem High School’s running game, and, in turn, the Little Green’s Division I postseason hopes faded on the Gill Stadium turf Friday, Oct. 26, in a 27-14 setback.

Central trailed 14-0 before putting forth one final attempt to salvage its playoff chances.

Quarterback Scott McCurdy ran for one score and threw for another, helping the Little Green pull even.

But the defense was unable to contain a balanced Salem attack, and the Blue Devils scored another touchdown with 21 seconds remaining before intermission.

Following a Central three-and-out to open the second half, Salem took the ball with 9:36 remaining in the third quarter and didn’t give it back until after it pounded into the end zone on fourth down to cap a 17-play, 88-yard drive that concluded in the fourth quarter.

That drive was indicative of the entire game. Central’s offense was on the field for 10:06, while Salem controlled the ball for 37:54, thanks to six drives of at least 10 plays.

The Little Green rushing attack produced just 50 yards.

Even so, Central had a chance to cut into Salem’s fourth-quarter lead, driving 60 yards to the 2-yard line. But McCurdy was hit as he went for the end zone, and Shawn Stoodley recovered the fumble for the Blue Devils, sealing the victory.

The loss dropped Central to 4-4 on the season, and the Little Green's final regular-season game is against Division II powerhouse Bishop Guertin.

Central still draws a rematch with Manchester West in the Turkey Bowl, played Thanksgiving Day at Gill.