Salmen hosting the nightcap of the City Jamboree from Spartans’ Stadium launched the 2010 prep football season cruising to an easy 42-0 win over district foe Pearl River after jumping in front 35-0 in the first half.

In the opening tilt between Northshore and Slidell the two city rivals ended in a 7-7 tie as Slidell owned the first half and Northshore the second.

The rain was steady throughout the first contest as Slidell struck first on a 5-yard touchdown run courtesy of senior halfback Jonathan Miles. Miles’ run followed a short punt from Northshore punter Jonathan Hilton due to a low snap. Miles’ score came a minute under the midway mark in the first 15-minute half, which is the format for the jamborees, which are considered pre-season contests. Sophomore Tabor Gamblin added the extra point for the Tigers to put Slidell up 7-0.

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After Miles’ touchdown the teams went into halftime, which is also abbreviated, and Northshore tied the contest as Nick Ledet, on fourth-and-goal, beat the Tiger defender to the left corner scooting three yards to pay dirt. Junior kicker Daniel Flot tacked on the PAT and the score was knotted at 7-all with less than four minutes to go. Ledet’s tying run was set up by Hank Badon’s 20-yard punt return giving the Panthers the ball at the Slidell 20-yard line.

As time ticked down Northshore had an opportunity to win the game as J.R. Vappie recovered a Tigers’ fumble setting up the Panthers at the Slidell 25. From this point the Panthers drove down inside the 10-yard line before getting pushed back and attempting a 35-yard field goal to win the game. Flot never got his toe on this attempt as the snap was high and junior quarterback/holder Steven Gaines had to role out and attempt a pass, which was incomplete giving the ball back to Slidell and junior quarterback Bradley Myers.

The Tigers proceeded to move to midfield before time expired and the two 7-5A district rivals had played to a 7-7 deadlock.

“The kids played hard, the conditions weren’t optimal for either team, and we played with a leather or plastic ball that was really slick,” said Slidell coach Artie Liuzza.

Slidell will host Holy Cross next week in both squads season opener. NHS returns to Salmen next week in the annual Spanther game, both kickoffs are for 7 p.m.

“We would have liked to attempted a little more passing from senior quarterback Eric Verzyvelt but Steven (Gaines) got most of the snaps because of the weather and field conditions,” said Panthers’ mentor Mike Bourg. “I think we picked up our intensity in the second half, and we were able to move the ball better on offense,” added Bourg.

Salmen 42- Pearl River -0

Pearl River tried to get an early advantage attempting an onside kick to start the game but Shaun Jackson recovered the pigskin for the Spartans giving them the ball near midfield. It took one play for senior signal-caller/ receiver Matt Lipham to go down the right sidelines for a 56-yard scamper and with junior Chris Gulino’s toe providing the extra- point Salmen went up 7-0 within the first 19 seconds of the game.

After the Rebels went three-and-out Salmen’s other senior quarterback Daniel Sams tossed a 59-yard touchdown to senior wide out Jamal Robinson and with two offensive plays and two Gulino PAT’s the Spartans led 14-0 just three minutes into the tilt.

On the ensuing series Pearl River freshman quarterback Chase Moore was picked off by senior linebacker Claude Schick who toted the interception 35 yards to give Salmen a 21-0 lead with 11 minutes still remaining in the first 15-minute session.

Following senior lineman Malcolm Pichon’s fumble recovery at the Pearl River 23-yard line, senior running back Joron Adams did the honors on a nine-yard burst to put the Spartans up 28-0 with Gulino’s PAT.

Then just before the half, the Spartans third of four quarterbacks that played on the night, sophomore Aaron Hall connected with senior Greg Brickley to bring the tally to 35-0 with Gulino adding his fifth PAT as both teams went into their locker rooms.

In the second half Sams, who also returned punts, took the handoff from Lipham and garnered the final touchdown of the evening.

As time expired freshman quarterback Raymond Crochet delivered what appeared to be a touchdown strike but the officials ruled that time had expired and the contest ended along with the rain.

“The kids played hard, we have a freshman quarterback and a new offense so we will use this game to learn and improve, “ said first-year Rebels’ coach Chris Thomas.

Pearl River will host Varnado next week at home to open the official season.

“Hopefully we cut down tonight on the mental mistakes that we committed against Destrehan last week,” said Salmen coach Jerry Leonard.

“We were able to play everybody and that is what these contests are for to tune up and get ready for the year,” said Leonard.