The Salem Spartans might be the best 2-3 football team in the state of Virginia.
That’s not a compliment Salem coach Stephen Magenbauer welcomes. The Spartans lost their third game in a row last week as they dropped a 27-24 decision to Blacksburg at Salem Stadium. The Spartans have now lost three games by a total of 18 points against three teams that are a combined 14-0, as Dinwiddie is 4-0 and Northside and Blacksburg are both 5-0.
“We played three good teams, but certainly we’re not happy being 2-3,” said Magenbauer. “It’s not something our players want to accept. We’re not happy where we are right now.” Salem’s in a position where the Spartans might have to win out to get a decent seeding in the Region 4D playoffs. They get some points by losing to good teams, but they get more by winning. “That’s not something we’re worrying about right now,” said Magenbauer. “We’re just taking it one game at a time.” Pass defense was a concern once again in the loss to Blacksburg. After giving up two long touchdowns a week prior against Northside the Spartans yielded touchdown passes of 28, 26 and 35 yards to the Bruins, the third coming late in the fourth quarter and proving to be the winning score.
“A couple big plays won’t beat you, but we’re giving up more than a few,” said Magenbauer. “Our focus is on getting better. We’re learning and getting better.” The Spartans had a few big plays of their own. Quarterback Jack Gladden returned after missing a game and a half with a sprained ankle and hit Chase Ferris with a 72 yard TD pass that gave Salem a 21-14 lead in the third quarter. However, the Bruins came back with a field goal to cut the lead to four after three quarters, then hit the big TD pass from Grant Johnston to Josh Gholston in the fourth quarter. This was an even game for the most part. Salem outrushed the Bruins, 95-62, but Blacksburg had a big edge in passing yardage, 224-138. Isaiah Persinger led the Spartans in rushing with 77 yards on 19 carries. Chandler Sutphin, Salem’s fullback, was lost for the season with a broken leg and Persinger played some fullback after Sutphin went out. That’s a big loss for the Spartans.
“Chandler’s a good player and a high character kid,” said Magenbauer of the junior. “He’s what Salem football is all about. We’ll move some people around on offense and on defense there’s a number of guys we’ll work in there.” Gladden was seven for 14 passing for 138 yards. Ferris caught four balls for 125 yards and Persinger, Shawn Collins and Avery Close had one reception each. On defense Anthony Haupt had seven tackles to lead the team, including four for losses. Chancey Logan, Zavione Wood and Torren Pellant had five each. The Spartans will lick their wounds this week as they prepare for a game at Christiansburg. The Blue Demons were winless last year and are just 1-3 this year, but Salem is in no position to take anyone lightly. “They’re a solid football team,” said Magenbauer. “They’ve only won one game, but we’ve only won two. It’s important that we go play a clean football game on the road and finish.”
The Blue Demons are coached by former Glenvar assistant Alex Wilkins, who is in his second year at the helm. He might be catching the Spartans at a bad time. “We’re in a position where we haven’t been in a long time,” said Magenbauer. “As a staff, we’re anxious to see how the kids react this week.” Salem’s junior varsity team defeated Blacksburg by one point in a dramatic finish last week to remain undefeated at 4-0. The Spartans will host Christiansburg tonight.