Blog LIVE Game Blog: Salem-VB 13, Landstown 0 - FINAL

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Greetings from Virginia Beach's Landstown High School on this 91-degree night on August 27th as the 2021 High School Football season gets underway for the host Eagles out of Region 6A and the visiting Salem Sun Devils from Region 5A.

These two Virginia Beach rivals have plenty on the line in this one as they've had some compelling, close battles over the years. The major storyline tonight is that Marcus Johnson-Williams makes his debut as Salem's Head Coach. He once was an assistant at Landstown under Tommy Reamon, the Eagles Head Coach.

Of note - - Landstown star Tychaun Chapman, a transfer from Princess Anne who is committed to UNC, is not in uniform tonight and watching from the sidelines. Chapman is out with an undisclosed injury. Reamon could not speak to the severity, but did say he hopes to have him back in the lineup "in a couple of weeks."

Follow here and via Twitter @ hatfieldsports for further updates tonight!

 

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No scoring to speak of just thee possessions into this one. In fact, no first downs yet. Landstown went 3 & out, followed by Salem getting stopped on 4th & 1 from the Eagles 43 after a bad snap.

Landstown then goes 3 & out and a 6-yard punt gives Salem decent field position at their own 45 with 6:17 to go in the opening period. Both teams are clearly feeling each other out at this point.

 

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Freshman running back Ravon Moore - a 5-foot-9, 190-pound athlete with good burst - is able to move the chains for the first time this evening for either team. His run of 6 yards on 3rd & 1 puts the Sun Devils at the 40-yard line of Landstown. The Eagles use their first time-out at 5:10 to go in the opening period.

They follow that up with a nifty jet sweep run with junior Jahrell Walton to gain 6 yards. We have an injury time-out as a Landstown defender is being looked at... the defender is #4 Theo Sherrod, a key two-way performer. He's favoring the right ankle.

Be interested to see if Salem takes a shot with the passing game here on 2nd & 4 with it likely being two-down territory.

 

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As I thought they might, Salem took a shot down the field on 2nd & 4 from the Landstown 34. Angelo Liotta, a transfer from Catholic High, lofted a good ball to freshman Faiben Wells down the sideline in one-on-one coverage. Wells was unable to haul the pass in for a big gain.

A holding penalty a couple plays later backs Salem up to the 38 of Landstown. That will help the Eagles in trying to stop a Sun Devils offense that's beginning to gain confidence.

 

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Salem's drive fizzles as Dante Gooden makes a sack, and on 2nd & 31, Angelo Liotta finds Ahmarri Williams for a 25-yard completion. Williams did a great job of picking up yards after the catch on that stop route. But on 3rd & 6, Ravon Moore is dropped for a loss of 4.

On 4th & 10, it's the Landstown defense forcing an incomplete as Liotta had to basically throw it over the top of the defense out of the reach of his receiver.

Landstown begins at its own 25 for their second offensive series of the night with 2:09 to go in the opening quarter.

 

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Jahiel Mitchell thought he had a pick-six for Salem on 2nd & 8, however, the Sun Devils get called for two 15-yard penalties on his 49-yard return to the house. One was a helmet-to-helmet hit, while the other was an unsportsmanlike conduct.

That means Salem begins shop for their third series at their own 39 with 44.2 seconds to go. Ravon Moore rushes for 6 to conclude the period.

 

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As expected, a defensive tussle in this one. Salem sees QB Angelo Liotta sacked on 2nd down by Dante Gooden (he's got 3 stops for loss so far) and a pass is hopelessly incomplete on 3rd & 14. Brings on the punting unit at the 11:12 mark from their own 35.

 

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The punt fest continues as Landstown goes 3 & out - nearly intercepted by Salem's Keimar Carter-Gatlin - and the Sun Devils take over at the Landstown 48 following a 22-yard punt. Penalties, including an illegal sub to start, doomed that series before it ever got going for the Eagles.

 

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On consecutive plays, Salem hits Landstown with slant / post patterns and the safety didn't get over in time to keep Miller from coming through and burning them.

That capped a quick 4-play, 48-yard drive in 2:12 to give the pupil Marcus Johnson-Williams the lead on the teacher Tommy Reamon.

 

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Landstown goes 3 & Out, but Salem doesn't help its cause with a 3 & out of their own.

That gives the Eagles the ball back, at the Salem 44, after a 20-yard punt with 3:18 to go until half-time.

Landstown picks up a first down for the first time tonight as senior tailback Alijah Douglas takes the stretch play and gets 15 along the sideline. Faced with a 3rd & 12 a couple plays later after Zyreon Rogers dropped a Landstown ball carrier backwards for a loss, the Eagles get a break on an undisciplined moment from the Salem defense.

Eagles QB Derrick McMasters tries to connect down the middle of the field with Chris Nyeachi. Instead of incomplete, it's a fresh set of downs on a roughing the passer penalty, Salem's 7th infraction of the night.

 

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Landstown's clock management on this series before the half has not been the best. They let it go down from about 1:20 to 23.9 seconds on just a couple of run plays. Zyreon Rogers again was in on the stop behind the line of scrimmage for the Salem defense.

Landstown lines up to try a 30-yard field goal and before it can be kicked, Salem's Keimar Carter-Gatlin scoops up the ball from the holder. Can't say I've ever seen that at the High School level. Interestingly enough, the ball is still live because he wasn't tackled... however, the officials blew the play dead. Salem could've had a chance to run it back for a score.

Strange ending to the half, and a squandered opportunity for Landstown before the half.

 

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Some numbers at the break...


Salem 7:
Angelo Liotta - 5-9 for 84Yds. 1-0 TD/Int. ratio
Ravon Moore - 11Car. 27Yds; 1Rec. 9Yds.
Evan Millar - 2Rec. 45Yds. TD
Ahmarri Williams - 1Rec. 25Yds.
Jahiel Mitchell - 1Car. 7Yds; 1Rec. 5Yds.
Zyreon Rogers - 3 Solo Tackles, 2 Sacks
Cameron Fisher - 4 Tackles, TFL


Sun Devils - 25 plays for 103 total yards (5 of 9 for 84 yards passing; 16 rushes for 19 yards); 7 penalties for 50 yards; 0 turnovers


Landstown 0:
Alijah Douglas - 7Car. 28Yds; 1Rec. 2Yds.
Derrick McMasters - 1-6 for 2Yds. 0-1 TD/Int. ratio
Dante Gooden - 7 Tackles (6 Solo), 4TFL, 2 Sacks
Zyron Bacote - 4 Tackles (3 Solo)

Eagles - 20 plays for 22 total yards (1 of 6 for 2 yards passing, 1 INT; 14 rushes for 20 yards, 1 lost fumble); 2 penalties for 17 yards; 2 tunovers

 

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Oh, that tricky Tommy Reamon! Unfortunately, his Eagles can't do much with it as Fabien Wells gets a tackle for loss on a run. Then the Salem defense comes up big on 3rd down with freshman DE Ari Watford along with LB Donte Ponder limiting a swing pass to a mere gain of 1.

Landstown's punt is partially blocked by Cameron Fisher - who has been flying around quite a bit on defense - and the Sun Devils recover at their own 30 with 9:13 to go in the 3rd period.

 

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Salem appears to move the chains on 3rd & 4 on a strong run from Keimar Carter-Gatlin, but towards the end of the carry as he's going to the ground, the ball pops loose.

Landstown has it after the Zyron Bacote fumble recovery at the 50 with 7:43 to go in the third period.

Derrick McMasters at QB for Landstown nearly gives it right back on a throw over the middle of the field. However, Jahiel Mitchell drops the should've been INT. A 6-yard pass on 2nd down brings up 3rd & 4, where Zyreon Rogers stops Alijah Douglas in his tracks.

Jahrell Walton makes an excellent pass breakup in one-on-one coverage on 4th & 4 on the pass intended for Theo Sherrod (who's back in the game after getting shaken up earlier in the contest).

So Salem takes over at their own 44 with 6:24 to go in the third quarter.

 

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Not a good sight here for Salem Coach Marcus Johnson-Williams as his promising tailback Ravon Moore is being helped off the field. Looks to be a knee / lower leg injury with 5:40 to go in the third period. That last 9-yard run into Landstown territory to move the chains might've finished his night with 15 rushes for 42 yards.

They now bring in Keimar Carter-Gatlin and they are going double tight, playing power ball, trying to pound the Eagles between the tackles. Two runs in a row net 11 yards, down to the Landstown 35. He's running with a serious purpose.

 

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Excellent job by the Salem running game - and that offensive line featuring Grant Gaffney, Jaylen Gilchrest, among others - to power the way.

Landstown may be in business now though after a 59-yard ensuing kickoff return by Alijah Douglas down to the Salem 11. Can the Eagles convert inside the red zone against a Salem defense that has been stingy all night?

 

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The Salem defense buckles down on three straight plays, dropping Landstown behind the line on two of those runs. Ari Watford, the impressive looking freshman defensive end with scholarship offers already, read the toss on 3rd down beautifully.

Landstown will look to go for it on 4th & 14 from the Salem 15 as the 4th quarter begins. Not a ton of confidence in their passing game tonight as the Eagles are just 3 of 10 for 9 yards, missing UNC commit and explosive athlete Tychaun Chapman in more ways than one.

 

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Jahiel Mitchell, who scored the last touchdown for Salem, breaks up the pass in the end zone on fourth down to begin the 4th period.

Salem takes over at their own 15 with 11:52 to go in regulation as Marcus Johnson-Williams closes in on potentially his first victory as Head Coach.

 

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Keimar Carter-Gatlin knifes his way through for gains of 1, 10 and 7 yards. But on 2nd & 3, the Sun Devils go to a different back and Landstown defensive lineman Isaiah Montgomery - who'll likely play on the offensive side of the ball as a tackle or guard at Pitt in the ACC - is among the defenders to drop Jahiel Mitchell behind the line of scrimmage. A pass on 3rd & 7 is incomplete, so Salem will punt it away with 8:22 remaining in regulation.

Landstown will need to hit a big play through the air to get on the scoreboard and make things interesting in the closing minutes.

 

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Back-to-back incomplete passes for Landstown after a 1-yard run from Alijah Douglas, where Salem DE Ari Watford met him immediately, and the Eagles are forced to probably go for it on 4th & 9 from the 46 of Salem with 6:59 to play.

Landstown may make a switch at QB and bring in the freshman Zack Ruello. So far, the passing game (3 of 13 for 9 yards) has not generated enough to make this a one-score ballgame.

Out of a time-out, the Eagles do indeed put the ninth grader Ruello, who makes a good read. Unfortunately, his intended target Douglas is not ready for it in the flat and it falls incomplete. Salem takes over, looking to run the clock out.

 

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Only 2:34 goes off the clock as Salem runs it three straight times for a total of one yard. After a punt of about 14-15 yards, Landstown takes over at their own 39 with 4:18 to play, needing to act quickly down by two touchdowns.

They do rush, the football actually, rather than pass. It gains no yards and a lot of seconds come off the clock. A false start backs them up 5 more to make it 2nd & 15 with 3:24 to play. Salem is then called for not one, but two personal fouls. Suddenly, Landstown has the ball in Salem territory at the 42. The Eagles do go to the air and a pass interference gets the Eagles even closer to the end zone with 3:16 to play.

We're looking at 30 yards of offense for Landstown and 120 yards in penalties for Salem. Eagles have it at the 26 of Salem with 3:16 to play, trailing 13-0.

 

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When it looks like pass interference should be called, they don't. When it looks clean, a flag comes out. At least on this series. Can't figure it out. Thought there was a PI in the end zone on Salem. They don't call it, though.

Freshman Zack Ruello steps up in the pocket and dumps it off to Hector Delgado, who does a little shake and bake for a gain of 15 yards to the Salem 11, and he alertly got out of bounds to stop the clock with 3:01 to go.

Salem has to show some composure here late.

 

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Pitt, Virginia Tech, Jackson State and Maryland offered Salem DE Ari Watford before his first ever varsity game. Tonight, he's gotten better as the contest has progressed. Watford gets a sack and now Landstown is on its heels again.

Zyron Bacote makes a catch, though it's for a minimal gain. On 4th & 13 from the Salem 15, a pass by Ruello is incomplete.

Salem takes over with 1:16 to go, read to kneel and walk out of here with a win to start 1-0.

 

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Final Stats:

Salem Sun Devils 13: (1-0 Overall)
Angelo Liotta - 6-11 for 97Yds. 1-0 TD/Int. ratio
Keimar Carter-Gatlin - 9Car. 43Yds. (8Car. 47Yds. in 2nd Half); Fumble Rec.
Ravon Moore - 15Car. 42Yds.
Jahiel Mitchell - 6Car. 9Yds. TD; 1Rec. 5Yds.
Evan Millar - 2Rec. 45Yds. TD
Ahmarri Williams - 1Rec. 25Yds; 2TFL, 0.5 Sack
Jahrell Walton - 1Rec. 13Yds; 1Car. 6Yds; 2 Solo Tackles, 2 PBU
Ari Watford - 5 Tackles (2 Solo), 2TFL, Sack
Donte Ponder - 5 Tackles (2 Solo)
Zyreon Rogers - 4 Solo Tackles, 2TFL

Sun Devils - 46 plays for 184 total yards (35 rushes for 87 yards, 1 lost fumble; 6-11 for 97 yards passing, no intercepts); 11 penalties for 120 yards; 1 turnover


Landstown Eagles 0: (0-1 Overall)
Alijah Douglas - 9Car. 29Yds; 2Rec. 3Yds.
Derrick McMasters - 3-13 for 9Yds. 0-1 TD/Int. ratio
Zack Ruello - 2-6 for 19Yds.
Hector Delgado - 1Rec. 15Yds.
Jordan Coore - 1Rec. 6Yds.
Zyron Bacote - 1Rec. 4Yds; 1Car. 2Yds; 5 Tackles (4 Solo), Fumble Rec.
Dante Gooden - 8 Tackles (7 Solo), 4 TFL, 2 Sacks
Tyquan Johnson - 7 Tackles (6 Solo), 2 TFL
Trevor Eck - 5 Tackles (3 Solo)

Eagles - 41 plays for 63 total yards (22 rushes for 35 yards, 1 lost fumble; 5-19 for 28 yards passing, 1 intercept); 3 penalties for 22 yards; 2 turnovers

 

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Postgame Video Interview with Salem DE Ari Watford:




Salem freshman defensive end Ari Watford chats following his team's 13-0 shutout at Landstown in Virginia Beach on Friday, August 27, 2021.

In his varsity debut, Watford had five total tackles, two behind the line of scrimmage with one being a sack as the Sun Devils pitched a shutout for the third time in series history.

Already, the Class of 2025 prospect has scooped up offers from Jackson State, Maryland, Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech.

 

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Postgame Video Interview with Salem Coach Marcus Johnson-Williams:




Salem Head Football Coach Marcus Johnson-Williams chats with VirginiaPreps.com's Matthew Hatfield following their 13-0 season-opening shutout at Landstown on Friday, August 27, 2021.

It was a victorious debut for Johnson-Williams, who previously was an assistant at Landstown under Eagles Head Coach Tommy Reamon.

Salem's defense limited Landstown to just 63 total yards of offense on 41 plays. Offensively, QB Angelo Liotta completed 6 of 11 passes for 97 yards, including a 25-yard scoring strike to Evan Millar.

Keimar Carter-Gatlin chipped in 43 yards rushing, freshman Ravon Moore added 42 yards on the ground, and Jahiel MItchell scored the game's other touchdown on a two-yard run on 3rd & Goal.

Salem now shut out Landstown three times in the series - 2011, 2019 and 2021. They lead the all-time series 11-9.