They’ll be crunching the numbers at the Virginia High School League office this weekend to determine who makes the football players, and the Salem High team is on the bubble with one game to go. Salem is on the outside looking in today, but the door is cracked and the Spartans are hoping to go through.
The top eight teams make the playoffs and Salem is currently ninth with a power point rating of 22.11. However, Blackburg is eighth at 22.33 and the Bruins have to play undefeated Class 5 Patrick Henry, who will be heavily favored in that game. Salem has 2-7 Christiansburg Friday, a team that is ranked 12th in Region 3D and has no hope of making the playoffs. So, if the Spartans win and the Bruins lose Salem most likely will pass Blacksburg.
However, looming in 10th place is E.C. Glass with a 21.89 rating. The Hilltoppers are home to Brookville Friday and a win over the 4-5 Bees would be worth more “rider points” than a win over Christiansburg.
“It’s going to be close,” said Salem athletic director Drew Barrett, who has been carefully following the scenarios.
A month ago the Spartans were longshots to make the region tournament, but they’ve won four of their past five games including a 56-7 thumping of Hidden Valley last week. The Spartans are getting some previously injured players back and some of the younger ones who filled in are getting up to speed. Is it too late?
“All we can do is focus on Christiansburg, and whatever happens, happens,” said Salem coach Don Holter. “We can’t take anyone for granted. Christiansburg has some good athletes and they’re gritty.
“We’d love to have an opportunity to play in the playoffs. Our kids are settling in defensively and the young ones who have filled in have done an outstanding job. They’re starting to adjust to the speed you need to play at the varsity level.”
The Spartans had no problem beating a hapless Hidden Valley team at Bogle Field last week. The Titans fumbled the opening kickoff away, Salem scored on the first play from scrimmage and it was all but over at that point. The Titans did manage to score a first half touchdown, their first TD since August. In nine games they’ve given up 449 points and scored 17.
The Spartans did whatever they wanted to. Salem rushed for an average of just under 13 yards a carry, topped by Jordan McCadden with 166 rushing yards on 12 attempts and three touchdowns. Tanner Overstreet returned from an early season shoulder injury and was seven for 12 passing for 96 yards and two scores, both to Nasir Ward.
With a win this week the Spartans can finish the regular season at 5-5 and avoid their first losing regular season since 1983, when they were 4-5-1 in coach Willis White’s year.
The Salem jayvees did not play last week as Hidden Valley could not field a team. The Spartans will finish up at home tonight against Christiansburg’s jayvees.
