For the past three months, Salem’s football team has had its share of blowout wins, lopsided losses, last-minute victories and close-call setbacks en route to another crack at reigning Division I champion Pinkerton.

There was only one hitch.

The road to the Astros included a semifinal-round stop with defensive-minded, second- seeded Central, a 41-27 winner over the Blue Devils just two weeks earlier.

This time, it wasn’t just the running backs who led Jack Gati’s club to a 21-7 win over the Little Green.

Gati relied on backup quarterbacks, blocked punts and one game-changing screen pass to propel the team past Central on Saturday, Nov. 11.

“That was the key,” said Gati. “Executing the big plays when we needed and getting a solid effort from each and every guy who suited up today.

Without the blocked punt, screen on fourth down and a couple of sacks, this may have been a different game.”

Defense dominated the first half, despite threats from both sides.

Salem play-caller Hal Landers was 3-for-7 for 63 yards and two touchdowns, including an end zone interception just one series before Central quarterback Joe Robinson, who finished 5-for-15 with 57 yards, was also picked off.

After Little Green defensive end J.J Jackson broke through Salem’s offensive line and delivered a flattening blow to Landers, Gati called in senior backup Mark Dupuis midway through the third quarter.

Though the game plan didn’t change with Dupuis at QB, Gati called for a passing play as Salem set up at the Central 35-yard line.

And Dupuis delivered.

The 6-foot-1 quarterback connected with halfback Kevin Sledge at Central’s 9-yard line, then running back Shane McMahon rumbled across the goal line from four yards out.

Ben Lawlor’s extra point gave Salem a 7-0 lead.

With Central driving, Landers returned on defense and stopped the Little Green’s drive with an interception at Salem’s 16-yard line late in the third quarter.

“We made more mistakes than they did,” said Central head coach Ryan Ray. “You have to get the mistakes out or else you’re not going to win any games. We just made too many mistakes.”

Central scored behind Hooksett running back Mike LeClerc, who capped an 11- play, 66-yard drive that stripped 4:03 off the clock in the fourth quarter. LeClerc finished the day with 106 total yards.

Central’s defense then forced Salem, which drove deep into Little Green territory, into a 4th-and-5 situation.

Landers hit Sledge with a screen pass. Sledge, following good blocking, found his way to the end zone.

The Blue Devils sealed their trip to the finals after blocking Central’s ensuing punt, when Landers hooked up with Peter Emerzian on 3rd-and-14 with 2:13 left to play.

“(Our) defense really got into a groove at the end,” said Gati. “They’re a tough group. (Central) beat us once. They have a big, strong offensive line, so we knew the defense would really have to work.”

Salem travels to Pinkerton for the Division I state championship on Saturday, Nov. 18. Kickoff is 1 p.m.