However, that never truly translated to the scoreboard.

Senior Bo Sechrist set the tone, making an impact immediately when he took an early interception to Dallas’s four-yard line and putting the Bulldogs in prime position for their first touchdown of the season. Nolen Pauling appeared seasoned in his debut start at the helm, accounting for four touchdowns, the Shore defense bent but rarely broke and their composure reigned supreme, resulting in a 27-7 win over an esteemed Dallas program.

In terms of season debuts, especially considering the program’s new look, Jersey Shore head coach Tom Gravish couldn’t have been much more pleased. The team made the big plays when it needed to, seamlessly shook off the Mountaineers’ threatening response and ultimately, kicked off a tough slate on top.

“We knew it wouldn’t be easy. Their team, the program and what Dallas football has been for a long time, we have nothing but respect for that. Happy to get this win,” said Gravish. “We’re really proud of our kids. We told them in the beginning that both teams were going to make mistakes in an opener. You’ve just got to make more positive plays, keep playing till there’s no time on the clock.”

MARK NANCE/For the Express Dallas quarterback Brady McKan throws under pressure in the second quarter.

Following the break, it seemed like Dallas’s halftime adjustments were going to pay off.

A defensive unit that had struggled through the second quarter forced back-to-back three-and-outs. And in the midst of that span, its offense turned nine plays into a 65-yard touchdown drive, breaking off runs of 8, 10, 19 and 30 yards in the process.

Its student section, band and well-travelled fans responded, threatening to bolster Dallas’s confidence and turn the opener chaotic while Shore’s stars struggled with cramps. But Shore responded right back, diminishing the noise to a simmer.

With a 20-7 lead, it’d force a momentum-halting three-and-out. Then, it’s offense got clicking again. Its second first down of the drive, a ten-yard connection between Pauling and receiver Carson Watkins, got 15 additional yards tacked onto it due to a penalty and suddenly, the Bulldogs were well within Dallas territory.

While the Mountaineers would force Shore into a third-and-medium two players later, the biggest play of the day went the Bulldogs’ way. Pauling didn’t buckle as Dallas’s defensive end broke free, staying poised in the pocket and finding Watkins open on a post, who’d reel it in before turning up field for a 29-yard touchdown.

MARK NANCE/For the Express Jersey Shore quarterback Nolan Pauling runs the ball on a keeper in the second quarter.

“It could have turned around real quick after halftime, but we kept our composure,” said Watkins when discussing the sequence. “It was hype. It was good. Then, we came down and scored, which was awesome.”

It was a sequence that highlighted the team’s composure and grit through a tough Week One matchup, aspects which impressed Gravish the most when it came to the win.

On three separate occasions in the first half, Dallas breached Jersey Shore territory, breaking off a 45-yard run following Shore’s initial score and compiling drives of 16, 31 and 47 yards. But in all three scenarios, the Bulldogs defended well with their backs nearing the wall, ending two drives on third and short and protecting their ever-growing lead.

Even when they reestablished their lead to 20 late, they held firm. In its closing effort, Dallas put together a 14-play, 49-yard drive that feature two third-down and one fourth-down conversion, but Jersey Shore wouldn’t let it get its foot back in the door, halting the drive on a fourth-and-long with just over seven minutes to go.

“It was their determination. Their grit,” said Gravish when discussing what impressed him about the win. “When Dallas got a little bit of fire there and we didn’t follow up right away, we had to get gritty and tough, and our players did that. It really would have been easy to put our heads down, but they got this win.”

MARK NANCE/For the Express Dallas' Carver Jones runs the ball against Jersey Shore in the first quarter.

Offensively, Pauling and Watkins’ connection and the team’s steady run game allowed it to stay one step ahead.

In his first start at quarterback, Pauling completed nine of his 15 passes for 160 yards, two touchdowns and just one interception, adding 57 yards and two additional touchdowns on the ground. Watkins made up five of those completions, finishing with 124 yards and two touchdowns.

“We’ve been working on it all summer, Pitt Camp, Penn State champ, different 7-on-7s,” said Pauling on that connection with Watkins. “So, I knew we were out there, and I knew that we were going to be ready.”

Bo Sechrist was also reliable on the ground, turning 19 carries into 63 hard-earned yards and proving particularly potent through the second. Carter Rhinehart made the most of his two receptions, turning each into first downs for 33 yards. And Sechrist and Luke Thompson secured interceptions on the defensive end, highlights of a well-rounded defensive day.

The slate doesn’t get any easier, as Jersey Shore prepares for a road test against Delaware Valley next week. But with it kicking things off in the win column against a tough opponent, it heads into that matchup with added confidence.

MARK NANCE/For the Express Dallas' Brady McCann runs the ball against Jersey Shore Friday night.

“That’s a really good team that made the state championship two years ago. It’s a great feeling (to win),” said Watkins. “We have a tough schedule this year, so we’ll just have to see.”

“We’ll be ready,” said Pauling. “We just have to keep rolling.”

Jersey Shore 27, Dallas 7

D 0 0 7 0 – 7

JS 7 13 7 0 – 27

MARK NANCE/For the Express Jersey Shore's Carson Watkins celebrates after making a great catch for a big gain in the second quarter.

1st Quarter

JS – Nolen Pauling 3 run (Jayden Parsetti kick), 6:43.

2nd Quarter

JS – Pauling 1 run (PAT blocked), 10:15.

JS – Pauling to Carson Watkins 10 pass (Parsetti kick), 3:10

3rd Quarter

D – Hunter Pitcavage 3 run (David Worth kick), 5:31.

JS – Pauling to Watkins 29 pass (Parsetti kick), :17.

TEAM STATISTICS JS D

First Downs 12 11

Rushes-yards 41-124 35-168

Passing yards 160 86

Comp-Att-Int 9-15-1 12-24-2

Total yards 284 254

Fumbles-lost 0-0 3-1

Penalties-yards 5-30 5-35

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: Jersey Shore, Bo Sechrist 19-63; Nolen Pauling 18-57, 2 TDs; Kash Herritt 3-11; Carter Rhinehart 1-(-7). Dallas, Hunter Pitcavage 16-77, TD; Sam Kelley 3-51; Trevor Slavinski 3-19; Brady McCann 5-13; Nico Wilk 2-7; Talon Geskey 6-1.

PASSING: Jersey Shore, Nolen Pauling 9-15-1 160 yards, 2 TDs. Dallas, Talon Geskey, 8-13-1 59 yards; Brady McCann 4-11-1 27 yards.

RECEIVING: Jersey Shore, Carson Watkins 5-124, 2 TDs; Carter Rhinehart 2-33; Luke Ryan 2-5. Dallas, Sam Kelley 3-37; Logan Geskey 3-20; Carver Jones 2-17; Hunter Pitcavage 2-11; #23 1-7. Logan Faulkner 1-(-4).

INTERCEPTIONS: Jersey Shore, Bo Sechrist 1, Luke Thompson 1. Dallas, Bobby Gallagher.

RECORDS: Jersey Shore 1-0. Dallas 1-0.

MARK NANCE/For the Express Jersey Shore's Carson Watkins makes a reception over Dallas' Bobby Gallagher in the second quarter.

MARK NANCE/For the Express Jersey Shore's Luke Ryan runs the ball against Dallas in the first quarter Friday night.

MARK NANCE/For the Express Jersey Shore's Bo Sechrist runs back the ball after making a pass interception setting up the Bulldog's first score in the first quarter.

MARK NANCE/For the Express Jersey Shore's Bo Sechrist intercepts a pass in the first quarter.

MARK NANCE/For the Express Jersey Shore players charge onto the field before their first game of the season.