Blog LIVE Game Blog - Green Run (7-0) at Salem-VB (5-2)

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Greetings from Salem High in Virginia Beach, where the host Sun Devils at 5-2 overall take on the visiting Green Run Stallions, who check in at 7-0 overall.

It's a gorgeous 65-degree, sunny Saturday here in October and kick-off comes your way at 2 PM EST.

We'll have updates here and via Twitter @hatfieldsports

Below was our snapshot preview on the VIP Board for this game with Predictions...


Green Run (7-0) at Salem-VB (5-2) . . . There’s a lot of spice and intrigue to this one. For starters, interim Salem Head Coach Mark Hall is a former Green Run All-Region performer who went on to play his College Football at UVA. As recent as last year, he was an assistant for a Stallions team that won its first regional title in school history and continues to put up eye-popping numbers, averaging 48 points per game on the season.

Two of the area’s best passers go head-to-head with Green Run senior signal caller Kevin White and Salem sophomore Jason ‘Scooter’ Williams. White figures to have more receiving threats at his disposal, namely with highly regarded junior prospects Keylen ‘Brodie’ Adams and Tasean Young-Stieff. Many are also looking forward to the matchup in the trenches, where Salem sophomore DE Ari Watford is one of the nation’s best recruits and Green Run mammoth freshman tackle Thomas Wilder is beginning to turn heads.

Salem can keep this close if they’re able to effectively run the football and convert third downs, which Bayside did two Saturdays ago in building a 7-0 lead on the Stallions late in the second quarter. The biggest key will be protecting the football and getting their defense to disrupt the timing of a lethal Green Run air attack engineered by White.

Matt Hatfield Says - Green Run 36-20
Coach Ed Young Says – Green Run 28-18

 

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Salem will be receiving the ball to start. Jahiel Mitchell returns the opening kickoff 27 yards to their own 44, giving them excellent field position out of the gate here.

 

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Salem has come out with an offensive game-plan very similar to what Bayside did a couple weeks ago and that is establish the run game, chew the clock and keep this explosive Green Run offense averaging 48 points per game watching from the sidelines. Junior Zacari Rogers breaks off runs of 7, 14 and 5 yards as the Sun Devils have marched into Green Run territory at the Stallions 30.

On 2nd & 5, it's Green Run junior SS/LB Tyler Baker making a tackle for loss of 3. But on 3rd & 8, the Sun Devils respond with sophomore Ravon Moore bursting ahead for 10 yards. That moves the sticks.

The first pass of the day for Salem sophomore QB Jason 'Scooter' Williams is tipped and nearly intercepted. It goes through the hands of DB Milton Ferguson of Green Run. On 2nd & 10, Moore gains 3 more. Then on 3rd & 7 from the Stallions 20, it's a first down run from Rogers of 7 yards.

Can the Sun Devils finish this drive that's in the red zone by getting in the end zone?

 

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The Green Run defense clamps down on the run in the red zone, limiting Ravon Moore to a gain of 1 on 2nd & 8 with Tyler Baker and Zakai Hall combining to make a first stop. The 3rd & 7 pass from Jason 'Scooter' Williams falls incomplete.

So with 6:35 to go in the opening quarter, the first big decision of the day for interim Head Coach Mark Hall and he elects to bring out the field goal unit.

 

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Sure, the Sun Devils would've preferred 7 instead of 3, but taking the early lead boosts confidence. Now Green Run will look to respond immediately with its quick-strike offense, engineered by the area's leading passer in Kevin White.

Of note - - the Stallions are without one of their top defensive players today in Caleb Turner, who had the game-clinching pick-six in the season-opening win over Kempsville.

Touchback has the Stallions begin at their own 20.

 

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Green Run's first play from scrimmage sees the Stallions come out in Trips left and with the focus on the speedy wide receivers, QB Kevin White darts off for a 22-yard run on a draw. The next play is a 3-yard run with Damai Palmer as they are approaching midfield.

Grant Gaffney comes up with a huge sack for the Salem defense on 2nd & 15. It's a loss of 7. White then scrambles for 8 yards on 3rd & long with Fabian Wells stringing him out of bounds.

The Stallions punt it away and it's downed at the 11 of Salem with 4:03 to go in the first quarter as the Sun Devils try to increase their 3-0 lead.

 

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Salem runs for 13 yards with Zacari Rogers. Then after two plays netting no yards, it's QB Jason 'Scooter' Williams completing his first pass of the afternoon on a wonderful jump-ball grab by Jahrell Walton with Knahlij Harrell draped over him. It's worth 12 yards to push them up to their own 36. Then Ravon Moore runs for 8 yards and 10 more.

From the Green Run 46, it's Devin Wright and Zakai Hall dropping Moore for a loss of 3. That will take us to the end of the first period, where the Sun Devils have it 2nd & 13 from the Stallions 49-yard line.

 

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1st Quarter Time of Possession
Salem - 9:34
GR - 2:26

Not good news for Green Run as the second quarter gets underway. Following a penalty on Salem to put them back on their side of the field for 2nd & 20 from the 44, massive d-tackle Jeremiah Jusino is helped off the field with an injury.

 

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Hit with a delay of game penalty, Salem takes a shot down the field on 2nd & 25 from their own 39 and it's incomplete out of bounds. This might be a good spot to just run a sweep or trick play that if it results in a turnover, it's down the field and acts like a punt.

Jason Williams tries to hit Adam Martin on a vertical shot, but is well-covered by Kaevon Blanding, who is able to deflect the pass and force Christian Lukert on to punt for Salem with 10:30 remaining in the second quarter.

Tasean Young-Stieff returns the punt for Green Run 24 yards to the Salem 44 with 10:11 to go in the second period.

 

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After a run of 4 by Damari Palmer, the Stallions see wideout Tasean Young-Stieff slip in the backfield on the handoff and it results in a loss of 4. That brings up 3rd & 10 from the Salem 44. A nice idea as they get Keylen 'Brodie' Adams on the move from the backfield backside and he makes a defender miss on his way to a 12-yard reception from QB Kevin White to move the chains.

From the Salem 32, it's a pitch to WR Jayden Anderson and sophomore DE Ari Watford makes his best play of the afternoon thus far with a tackle for loss. On 2nd & 13, there's a pre-snap penalty. That false start backs the Stallions up to the 40 of the Sun Devils. Kevin White takes a shot in the end zone and it's incomplete. Coming off the edge, Watford absolutely levels White. One more hit like that on the QB could end the day for the talented passer, so the o-line better step up in a hurry.

 

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An enormous play for Green Run on 3rd & 18 from the Salem 40-yard line as Tasean Young-Stieff hauls in the Kevin White pass and shows some moves to navigate up the field and pick up 26 yards down to the Sun Devils 14.

We could look back at that one as a game-changing play. Consecutive penalties - holding and false start - backs the Stallions up to the Salem 25 with 5:40 and counting in the first half. White's pass in the end zone on a vertical shot intended for Jeremiah Cuffee is broken up by Jahrell Walton, bringing up 3rd & 21.

 

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Exactly what HC Mark Hall and DC Joe Ripa wanted to see from their defense. Now the Sun Devils know they can't have a quick 3 & out before the half and give Green Run a chance to score before intermission.

 

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A holding penalty backs Salem up to their own 9, where Ravon Moore rushes for 6 yards and then adds another yard. Here's a critical 3rd & 12 from their own 16 for the Sun Devils, not wanting to turn it over or give Green Run a short field.

 

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What a play by Kaevon Blanding, younger brother of former Bayside and UVA standout Quin Blanding. He was ready for his moment and seized it completely, going the distance to give his team the lead.

Salem looks shell-shocked and cannot dwell on that unexpected miscue. Jahrell Walton's ensuing kickoff return is to the Sun Devils 28 with 2:15 before the half.

 

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Consecutive runs from Zaacari Rogers brings up 3rd & 3 from the 35 with 1:26 to go in the first half. Salem tries to complete a quick slant, but a false start is called. On 3rd & 8, Jason 'Scooter' Williams misses Jahrell Walton by a hair on a streak play down the near sideline.

That will bring out the punting unit with 1:14 to go in the second quarter and Green Run has to feel great because they'll get the ball back with two time-outs, plus they get the ball first to start the third quarter.

 

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Green Run begins at their own 44 with one minute left in the first half and penalties doomed Salem on that last series. Meanwhile, the Stallions took advantage as after a pass breakup on a long shot down the field by Adam Murphy, it's QB Kevin White hitting Keylen 'Brodie' Adams for a 21-yard completion. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Salem gets the Stallions closer.

A couple plays later, it's White looking left, fooling the defense, and then hitting an open Anderson, the Princess Anne transfer, for a walk-in TD.

 

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Stats at the Half:

Green Run 14:
Kevin White - 6-8 for 86Yds. 1-0 TD/Int. ratio; 6Car. 24Yds.
Keylen 'Brodie' Adams - 2Rec. 33Yds.
Tasean Young-Stieff 1Rec. 26Yds.
Dyshaun Newby - 2Rec. 14Yds.
Jayden Anderson - 1Rec. 13Yds. TD
Devin Wright - 5 Tackles, 0.5 TFL
Kaveon Blanding - 3 Tackles, INT TD return, PBU

Stallions - 18 plays for 110 total yards (6-8 for 86 yards passing; 10 rushes for 24 yards); 0 turnovers; 5 penalties for 47 yards


Salem-VB 3:
Zacari Rogers - 8Car. 53Yds.
Ravon Moore - 11Car. 38Yds.
Jason 'Scooter' Williams - 1-8 for 12Yds. 0-1 TD/Int. ratio
Jahrell Walton - 1Rec. 12Yds.
Emmanuel Taylor - 3 Tackles, Sack

Sun Devils - 27 plays for 103 total yards (1-8 for 12 yards passing, INT; 19 rushes for 91 yards); 1 turnover; 8 penalties for 84 yards

 

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On the 2nd half kickoff, the football is live and Green Run does not get to it alertly to recover. Instead, Salem's Jahiel Mitchell makes a heads up play to recover. That gives the Sun Devils excellent field position at the Green Run 41. Zacari Rogers then breaks off a strong run to the Green Run 7-yard line.

Stallions Coach Brandon Williams does not like what he sees or the focus level probably, so he burns a time-out with 11:39 to go in the third period before 1st & Goal from the 7.

 

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Salem's Zacari Rogers gains just a yard on 1st & Goal from the 7. Cameron Thurlow and Zakai Hall stuff Rogers on 2nd & Goal for no gain. Then on an outside run, Tyler Baker and Milton Ferguson are able to hit Rogers just enough so that he doesn't get in the end zone. Another no gain. A bit surprised they didn't use a QB option play where Scooter Williams keeps it and scrambles.

The Sun Devils are deciding between whether to go for it or kick the field goal here. Big decision for interim HC Mark Hall against his alma mater.

 

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A well-thrown ball by Scooter to Taylor, his sophomore classmate, on an inside pass pattern. Taylor is coming into his own on defense this year and makes the tough catch in traffic.

Now it's a brand new ballgame for the host Sun Devils, allowing the crowd to get back into this one.

It's up to the Green Run offense to take them out of things quickly, but the Stallions may need to establish the ground game at some point to alleviate pressure from QB Kevin White and the air attack.

 

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Wisely, Green Run HC Brandon Williams and OC Qutrell Payton decide to get tailback Damari Palmer going in this game and he rips off runs of 10 and 6 yards for the Stallions. From the 44-yard line, the Stallions see back-to-back passes fall incomplete. That likely leaves them to punt it away with 7:36 to go in the third quarter, leading Salem 14-10.

An excellent job by that Salem defense, particularly in coverage, not to get beat by the big play. They continue the momentum gained from that opening play of the second half.

 

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Starting their second possession of the third quarter from their own 26, the Salem offense remains conservative here. They lose a yard on a run play and gain it back to set up 3rd & 10 from their own 26. Jason 'Scooter' Williams is drilled as threw by Anthony Rios. It goes in and out of the hands of Jahrell Walton. So the Salem offense goes 3 & out as they punt it away with 6:01 to go in the third quarter.

On the punt return, Tasean Young-Stieff is drilled - and I mean, drilled - by Aaron Hallbeaur. Following a penalty, Green Run will have it at their own 36 with 5:46 to go in the third period.

 

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After a couple of runs that add up to seven yards for Damari Palmer of Green Run, the Stallions strike for a big play on 3rd & 3 with QB Kevin White hitting Dyshaun Newby for 34 yards into Salem territory.

Zyron Bacote runs for 6 as the Stallions look to possibly set up a play-action opportunity. Instead, they actually run it again with Palmer. Bacote gets mixed in again for a chunk of about nine yards.

Green Run is now knocking on the door again, looking at 2nd & 1 from the 3 with 3:30 to go in the third period, trying to extend their 14-10 lead.

 

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Going Wildcat on 2nd & 2 from the 4 of Salem, Green Run junior playmaker Tasean Young-Stieff is dropped for a loss of 1 by Adam Murphy. Ahmarri Williams, the hard-hitting safety/linebacker hybrid, makes it difficult for Damari Palmer to move the sticks. Green Run leaves the offense on the field here for 4th & 1 from the 3... could be a quick QB sneak.

 

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White's smarts and ability to hurt teams with his arm or in this case legs.

Jahrell Walton returns the ensuing kickoff 23 yards to Salem's 41... until an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty backs them up 15. That's 9 flags for 99 yards today on the Sun Devils, costing them dearly.

 

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Ravon Moore ran for 6 yards and then 4 before Tyler Baker, the valuable SS/OLB for Green Run, spilled it and got to him in time for no gain.

The Green Run secondary is doing its job, forcing back-to-back incomplete passes - nearly coming up with a pick on third down - to start off the fourth quarter. They've limited a very effective air attack with Jason 'Scooter' Williams to just 2 of 12 or 17 yards passing. I'm sure DC Terrell Whitehead, who starred at Kempsville and Norfolk State with a brief NFL stint, is thrilled to see how the back end of his defense is performing in this one.

 

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From their own 15-yard line with 11:28 to go in the first quarter, Green Run goes to a split-back look and Damari Palmer runs for 12 yards. The running game has been essential to their success here in the second half. This time it's Aaron Hallbauer getting into the backfield much quicker to keep Palmer to no gain.

Then here comes the deep strike and nobody over the middle of the field is there to account for the dynamic Dyshaun 'Hollywood' Newby.

 

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So held in check for much of the first half like the case was two weeks ago at Bayside, the Green Run offense is coming through with timely conversions - both in the run and pass game - as White directs their attack with precision and poise.

Salem may not be able to recover from that defensive breakdown in this one.

Also correction on White - - he's at 193 yards passing instead of 199.

 

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Salem starts this fourth series of the second half from their own 49 with 10:06 to play, desperately needing a touchdown to make things competitive in the final minutes. The first pass by Jason 'Scooter' Williams is nearly complete to Emmanuel Taylor, but officials say he didn't hang on going to the ground. They try to connect again, this time on a fly route, but the coverage was solid with Zyron Bacote down the field.

Then it's a superb job by d-coordinator Terrell Whitehead dialing up a safety / corner blitz on third down with Zyron Bacote getting to Williams right as he throws. It's nearly a fumble, but the refs call it incomplete.

Green Run will call a time-out with 9:40 to play before what probably will be a punting situation.

Not a good scene for Salem on the sideline though as a couple of Sun Devils are jawing with one another. In fact, one Salem player appears to take a swing at one of his teammates. That individual is sent to the locker room by HC Mark Hall, who certainly won't tolerate that behavior.

 

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Salem decides to go for it and the pass on 4th & 10 is complete to Jahrell Walton, but he's sent backwards for a loss of about 4.

Green Run takes over at the Sun Devils 46 with 9:28 to go and most likely thinking about adding to their lead and certainly if nothing else just burning some clock.

 

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Brodie showed why he is one of the most coveted prospects in the country on that snag. White has been stellar as well, completing 11 of 16 for 231 yards and three scores.

 

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A quick 3 & out for Salem as their passing game continues to struggle, but part of it goes to the o-line breaking down in protection and some drops by the receivers. For the day, they are 3 of 18 for 13 yards.

The Sun Devils will punt it away on 4th & 13 from their own 23, trailing 35-10 with under five minutes to go in the fourth quarter.

 

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Hard to understand why the starters remain in with under a minute to go, leading 25+ points, but some approach things differently than others. You certainly don't want to lose a key starter due to injury in a meaningless situation with the outcome well determined.

Nonetheless, an impressive response from Green Run after the special teams lapse to begin the 2nd half to rattle off 28 unanswered points to close this contest on their way to 8-0. They should have no problem completing the regular season unbeaten with Tallwood and Landstown on deck, two squads sitting under .500.

 

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More to come later...