Salmen junior quarterback Matt Lipham accounted for four first-half touchdowns in a 41-7 victory over the Pearl River Rebels during the bi-district round of the state playoffs on Friday the 13th at Salmen.

“Playoffs are a new season,” Lipham said. “Everybody comes out 0-0 and everybody comes out ready to play. I knew we had to step up and do our job. Our offense did our job. The offensive line gave me enough time and the receivers (caught) the football.”

Salmen coach Jerry Leonard said he feels Lipham is gaining a lot of confidence and beginning to come into his own.

Salmen’s Matt Lipham rushes in for a three-yard touchdown late in the second quarter during Friday’s bi-district game at Salmen. Lipham accounted for four scores with three passing TDs. (Photo by Shannon Diecidue)

“He’s really matured as a quarterback for us,” Leonard said. “I feel like the offensive guys around him are starting to gel. We had to make some changes here and there. Everybody’s kind of adapted to the changes and things are looking pretty good right now.”

No. 5 Salmen (8-2) advances to the regional round and plays Breaux Bridge. Pearl River finishes 2009 at 5-6.

It didn’t take long for Salmen to get on the board. Pearl River received the opening kickoff and went three-and-out, forcing the Rebels to punt.

Salmen’s Errol Scott took the punt and took it up the left sideline 36-yards, down to PRHS’ 19. DeJuan Mackey provided a key block on the return with 10:10 left.

On the first play, Lipham, who passed for 169 yards and three scores, threw to Greg Brickley across the middle and he went 19-yards up the right-sideline for the touchdown. The extra point was no good and Salmen led 6-0 with 9:59 left in the opening quarter.

After teams exchanged punts, Pearl River began at its 38. On third down, running back James Gillum fumbled and Salmen’s T.J. Price recovered.

The Spartans drove 38 yards, capped off by Jordan Stevenson’s two-yard run up the middle. Chris Gulino was good on the PAT, upping the lead to 13-0 at the 2:44 mark.

Pearl River was forced to punt, but the Rebels interfered with the return man and Salmen started at PRHS’ 38.

Salmen blew the game open on the first play of the second quarter. Lipham rolled right and threw a perfect pass to George Williams for a 38-yard tally. Gulino added the PAT to make it 20-0.

Pearl River picked up its only first down of the initial half, but was forced to punt. Salmen’s Alonzo Stokes blocked the kick and Shaun Jackson recovered at the Rebels’ 18.

On second down, Lipham tossed a swing pass to Jamal Robinson, who juked left, then right and went 13-yards for another touchdown. Gulino made it 27-0 at 7:20 with the PAT.

Later in the period, things continued to spiral downward for Pearl River. They started a drive at their own 40 and went three-and-out, forcing another punt. Following a delay-of-game penalty on fourth down, the kick went four yards. Salmen took over with 2:01 to go.

The Spartans went 39 yards in eight plays. On first-and-goal from the three, Lipham kept it himself and scored with 8.2 seconds remaining. Gulino added the PAT, giving Salmen a 34-0-halftime lead.

PRHS recovered an onsides kick to begin the second half, but eventually punted.

Salmen scored its final touchdown in the fourth period. Scott replaced Lipham as quarterback and led a 42-yard drive, which he capped with a 19-yard run. Gulino’s PAT was good with 9:15 left.

Pearl River broke up the shutout on the ensuing drive. The Rebels returned the kickoff to their own 43. Seven plays later, Gillum ended his stellar high-school career with a seven-yard touchdown run up the middle on his final carry. His 88 yards on 24 carries gave him 1,890 yards and 32 TDs for 2009. Vincent Piazza wrapped up the scoring with the extra point.