SpartanOfYore, wish I could offer some insight to the Vikings upset. Unfortunately, I have only seen them play once this season. My dad, whom often accompanied me to the games, got really sick in August and passed away a few weeks ago. For the first time in over twenty years, I haven't been able to follow high school football with fervor. My dad and I probably only missed a handful of games over that time, which has made it tough to return as a fan considering the proximity of his passing. I have started to follow again to a certain degree, but honestly, since I live in Salem and my kids are in Salem schools, I will likely attend mostly Salem games going forward. However, a very BIG congratulations to my Vikings on a HUGE win!! After all the drama in the last year, I've been rooting for the kids, both on and off the football team. I really believe the school has a ton of potential in many areas and think the new admin and coaches can turn it around.
As far as the Abingdon games goes, it sounds like Northside's defense which has been improving over the last few games, stepped up again in a big way. Abingdon has put up a ton a points this season and to be held to seven, says something for sure. Many will not remember the Jim Hickam squads of the past that were built to have "knock the snot out of you" defenses with an offensive score or two to win. In this day of "high octane" offenses, it seems a thought persists that you must score 50+ to make a deep run. However, if Northside has truly shored up its defensive woes, a healthy Jackson and his supportive cast gives them enough to challenge just about anyone left in the West...I think. It will interesting to see what happens next week in Lynchburg.
Speaking of shoring up a defense, it seems that those Spartans have closed the gaps that the Lancers slipped through that first game of the year. I listened to the Pulaski game on the radio and was extremely impressed with their performance. I think they're primed for another deep run. What say you?
I am very sorry for the loss of your father. My sincerest condolences. Yes, if you two used to go to the games together, I could see where that could make it tough to attend the games right now. If you don't really feel like going, don't force it, is about all I can advise. Everyone has to work through grief in their own way.
I have my own little anecdote pertaining to this subject. Twenty years ago, we lost my mother after a lengthy battle with cancer. My father, as far as any of us kids knew, was in good health. Barely over two months later, he died quite suddenly in the hospital, one week after experiencing a heart attack. I was completely devastated. Both my parents had always followed Salem High sports, though they very rarely attended any events after I graduated. They would still always want a full report when I came in after a football or basketball game. That fall after my mother's death, my dad actually went to a couple of Salem football games with me. The last sporting event we attended together was the game against Pulaski at Salem Stadium. The Spartans won in a mild upset. I looked forward to having my father go to some playoff games with me.
Three weeks later, Dad was gone. I continued to go to the games, but it was very strange coming home with no one there to whom to give a report. I'd be driving home, start thinking about how to describe what had transpired, and then it would hit me - he's not there to hear it. It was that way for a couple of years, actually. It just so happened that in December of that year, Salem won its first state championship in football. Now, I am in
no way suggesting that that victory made up for the loss of either of my parents, let alone both of them. I'll never be completely over it; that just isn't possible. But I've always thought it was a little funny how Salem finally broke through that particular year, after several years of heartbreak involving a few teams that were almost certainly more talented.
The point, if there is one, is that you never know when Fate will through you a little bone. Not to make up for who or what you've lost, but just as a a way to roll back that veil of tears for just a brief while, and let some light and laughter in. Perhaps for you, it will be something awesome happening for one of your kids. Or, maybe those Vikings have begun a nice run for you! So just be on the lookout for whatever good surprises Fate may send your way, to break up the darkness a bit, and help give the healing a little assist. I hope it's something great.
I sure remember those Northside defenses under Hickam. Salem would often get locked up in a low-scoring defensive slugfest with the Vikes, especially when Billy Miles was still Salem's offensive coordinator. Against Northside, it seemed like Salem would abandon the offensive balance that we knew was needed to excel deep into the playoffs. It was as if Miles was saying, "Dammit, we're gonna PROVE we can run it down their throat!" And of course, that was not always the case. I think you're right - if Northside can bring anything close to that old intensity on defense, Jackson and company could very well be able to provide enough offense to beat anyone left in 3A West. They'll still be underdogs, but no one in that region looks head-and-shoulders above the fray to me.
Salem's problems against Amherst were primarily things that are very rarely problems for Salem - multiple blown assignments in the secondary, and
chronic missed tackles. It got to be perversely comical, from a Spartan fan's point of view. It was a
very atypical defensive performance, probably the worst effort on that side of the ball for Salem since Cave Spring waxed us in 2010 - almost six full years. The Spartans just flat out looked unready for the season to begin, for whatever reasons. I believe all of that has been rectified long ago. This defense just isn't last year's defense, unfortunately. As for a deep playoff run - possibly. Salem has to prove it can beat a really good team minus Ramsey. I believe they can, and will, but they still have to
do it. I've heard the full story of what transpired from someone who actually knows, and for all of his talent, I think Ramsey's departure might actually end up being a case of addition by subtraction.
Salem still has a lot of weapons on offense. Beckley is a great double threat, there are still three good backs to share the rushing load, and four very good receivers. The question mark will be the defense. If Salem can get by Millbrook, unlike previous years, there won't be any guesswork involving the next opponent. It will probably be William Byrd, and the two teams know each other quite well. That could be another of those old-fashioned slugfests, especially on Byrd's slower field. Ultimately, I think Salem has a good chance to get to Williamsburg, though we'll know more after this Friday. That's not at all taking Woodgrove or anyone else for granted; my wife is waiting for me to meet her, and I have to wrap it up! My gut tells me that if the Spartans do end up playing in the colonial capitol, their defensive deficiencies could very well prove to be their undoing against the East champion. This team seems similar to the 2014 team after Coleman Fox was lost to injury.
