Spartans can clinch Region IV, D-4 bye with win at Pulaski
The Salem-Pulaski County football rivalry is a long and storied one, and the Spartans know they’ll have their hands full every time they take the bus to Dublin.
Salem's Colton Taylor makes the stop in last Friday's game at Hidden Valley.
The Spartans will be at Pulaski County this Friday, and it’s a big game for both teams. Pulaski is ineligible for the playoffs due to off-season VHSL violations, so this is the Cougars last game of the season and they’d like nothing more than to go out with a win over their arch-rivals.
For Salem, the Spartans would like to erase the memory of their last trip to Dodson Stadium and Joel Hicks Field. On a bitterly cold night in November of 2008 the Cougars pummeled Salem, 38-0, to win the Region IV football championship. The seniors will remember it as the worst loss in their years in the Salem High program.
Salem is also playing for a playoff bye Friday night. The Spartans are currently second, behind Christiansburg, in the Division 4, Region IV playoff rankings. If the Spartans lose they still might retain that bye, but if Salem wins it’s guaranteed, and that means a week off to heal injuries, scout opponents, and get ready for a home game in the Region IV semifinals.
“I don’t know how important it is to get a bye, it’s more important to just play well and win football games,” said Salem coach Stephen Magenbauer.
After Christiansburg and Salem the next four teams in Division 4, Region IV are Magna Vista, Carroll County, Bassett, and Pulaski. Since Pulaski can’t advance, the next team in line would be Abingdon, and Blacksburg is close behind in eighth place. However, Blacksburg plays at Christiansburg this week as the host Blue Demons attempt to complete an undefeated regular season, and Blacksburg is a big underdog in that border rivalry.
Salem is looking to finish 8-2 after thumping Hidden Valley at Bogle Field last Friday night, 38-3. It looked like Salem football again, as the Spartans avoided the turnovers and ill-timed penalties that plagued them in district losses to Cave Spring and Christiansburg. The Spartans had no turnovers and four penalties in the game.
“Now let’s see if we can put two good games together before the playoffs,” said Magenbauer. “We played a solid game and cut down on our mistakes. This week will be an important game for us because this is the time you want to start peaking.”
The Spartans didn’t have much trouble with winless Hidden Valley. Salem led just 7-3 early in the second quarter but a touchdown run by Marty Bishop and a 15 yard TD pass from Adam McGarrell to Phillip Hughes made it 21-3 at the half.
Salem’s defense kept Hidden Valley at bay in the second half, as Drew Lyle kicked a 27 yard field goal in the third quarter. The Spartans put it away with two TD runs in the fourth quarter, one by Bishop and one by Devin Wygal.
McGarrell had a big night, hitting 11 of 14 pass attempts for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Bishop had 93 yards rushing on 10 attempts, Jordan Daniels had 17 rushes for 60 yards, and Darius Medley had 36 yards on six rushes.
Hughes had another good night receiving with 57 yards on five catches and two TDs. Clint Peregoy had four catches for 41 yards and Bishop had two for 33.
On defense, Zach Houchin led with 12 tackles. Mic Edwards had eight, Arias McConnell had seven, and Ryan Dodd had six. Chad Fisher and Zach Harth had five tackles each.
Salem’s jayvee team also defeated Hidden Valley last week, 36-14. The Spartans will wrap up the jayvee season at Salem Stadium tonight when they host Pulaski County.
