From the Preview this week before we get started...
Tallwood (5-1) at Salem-VB (5-1) . . . Over the past two years, the Lions and Sun Devils have played low-scoring, defensive battles. In 2016, it was Tallwood prevailing 10-6 as they intercepted three Salem passes and piecing together an 11-play, 80-yard drive in a span of 1:33 late in the fourth quarter to go ahead. Last year, Salem got revenge in a 13-7 victor that saw them come up with five takeaways, four occurring on lost fumbles by Tallwood. This time, it looks to be a battle of wills; the stingy Salem defense against a rather prolific Tallwood offense.
On the year, Tallwood is putting up 29.7 points per game, which is second in the Beach District only to Cox. Salem is giving up just six points per game with nobody having reached double-figures on them. The health and effectiveness as well as availability in general of Salem junior running back Kaelon Black is unknown going into this game. Black was leading the Beach District in rushing and has missed the past two games due to a knee injury.
In place of Black, the duo of James Rogers and Lex Henry combined for 225 yards rushing and a touchdown on 33 carries against Landstown. They want to duplicate that against an experienced Tallwood defense with some three-year starters all across the board in safety Ricky Harleston, LB Khairee Abdullah, LB Josh Lucas and others. Tallwood wants to force them to throw because, even though Sun Devils QB Amorie Morrison had a breakout performance two weeks ago against Kellam, they’re counting on their defense being able to cash in on a couple of errant throws.
Tallwood has been very consistent in mixing up the passing game with QB Sebien Stone (8TD’s passing), often targeting WR’s Isaiah Edwards (5TD’s receiving), and the backfield combo of Gunner White (643 yards, 8TD’s) and Taijon Yorkshire. Junior LB Anwar Sparrow (43 tackles), sophomore DE Isaiah Henderson, sophomore DB Zemarion Harrell and run-clogging DT Jaquan Perry anchor a Salem defense that is certainly good enough to put the Lions in some third-and-long situations.
Matt Says: Tallwood 17-14
VHSL-Reference.com Says: Salem 16-14
Coach Young Says: Salem 33-24