The Salem High football team is coming off the bye this week for what is almost certainly their last home game of the season. Salem will host Pulaski County on Friday at Salem Stadium and it’s “Senior Night.”
The Salem-Pulaski rivalry has been one of the premiere ones in the Roanoke Valley over the years. When Willis White was coaching Salem and Joel Hicks was coaching the Cougars it was the biggest game in the valley every year, with many memorable results.
Salem and Pulaski have met 54 times since Salem High opened in 1977 and the Spartans hold a 33-19 edge. Through 2010 the arithmetic stood at 17 wins for Salem and 19 for the Cougars, but Salem has won the past 16 meetings in a row. Salem coach Don Holter played for Salem during the height of the rivalry.
“Always a big game,” said Holter. “They’re a lot like Salem, the community takes pride in their football team. They’ve struggled a little recently but they’re still Pulaski and there’s nothing they’d like more than to beat Salem.”
This year both teams come into the game with 2-5 records. Never before in the 54 previous seasons have they played when the two teams haven’t combined for five wins. Both schools come into the game desperately needing a win for a chance to make their respective region playoffs.
Pulaski County is in Region 3D, dropping down from 4D a few years ago due to declining enrollment. They no longer compete with Salem in the post-season and they’re in serious danger of not making the playoffs for the fourth time in the past five years. The top eight in the region qualify and the Cougars are currently 11th and the season is getting late.
A couple week’s ago Salem’s chances of making the playoffs looked slim, but things have improved. The Spartans are now ninth in Region 4D and hoping to pass eighth place Blacksburg and join the dance. Salem has three very winnable games to end the season while the Bruins have Christiansburg at home this week, a bye, and then end the season with a trip to undefeated Patrick Henry. If the Spartans run the table and Blacksburg loses to PH Salem will likely pass the Bruins, and that should get them in. E.C. Glass is currently 10th with a tougher schedule than Salem, playing Amherst, Rustburg and Brookville to close the regular season.
Holter, for one, won’t be taking Pulaski for granted. He knows better, and certainly this hasn’t been a normal Salem High football season.
“They’re a good football team,” he said. “They have great size, averaging about 260 up front, and their scheme challenges you.”
Salem has had two weeks to get ready for the stretch run. They’re hoping to get a few players healthy and make some noise to finish out what has been a frustrating season.
“We took last week to focus on us,” said Holter. “You have to block and tackle to win football games.”
