Salem @ Lake Taylor - State Championship Game Rubber Match

[Shabutie]

These teams are 1-1 in their last two state championship meetings... what are everyone's thoughts on this matchup? It seems to me like both defenses are built very well to slow down the opposing offenses. I would be very surprised if this was a high scoring game.

As many people noted before the Tuscarora game, Salem was going to have to complete some passes to win the game and sophomore QB DaRon Wilson played much better than he had in previous weeks. The game was played in bad conditions but he threw the ball really well and didn't have any fumbled snaps or exchanges, which had been a problem. Even an incomplete pass to Shawn Collins deep downfield was a very well-thrown pass. He did have an interception late in the game on a ball that was slightly high and might have been caught in better conditions. The same thing applies this week... Salem has to have success in their passing game to have a chance in this game.

There are some very interesting matchups outside with Collins, Logan and the McDonald twins going against very talented and athletic defensive backs for LT. All four of those players for Salem are Division 1 quality as both of the McDonald twins are committed to Virginia Tech, Logan has D-1 offers himself and Collins is absolutely a D-1 talent. They have great size (6'4 for the McDonald twins and 6'2 for both Collins and Logan) but they will absolutely have their hands full with all of the LT DBs all game. Those four players are also likely to be Salem's four DBs in the game and due to the offense LT runs, they will also be in straight man coverage on defense for a good part of the game. The same players are going to be matched up against each other on both sides of the ball almost all game with tons of one-on-one opportunities to make plays and that should be very fun to watch.

I will try to talk more about other areas of the game when I get a chance but just wanted to get a conversation started for now.

 

[iDidntGetBanned]

Salem’s game plan should be get Wood the ball early and often. IMO he’s the same factor as D’Lo. As good as Louisa was in 2017, Ramsey running behind the Mules could not be stopped. Same with Wood. He’s one of the better backs I’ve seen this year. Salem has to do what Salem does. Control the line of scrimmage and TOP. Playing at Lake Taylor is no easy task, those guys have an extra gear at their place. Some of my good friends got a chance to play at Salem in 2014 and Lake Taylor in 2012, quite of few of them played big time ball in college.. I’ve been told LT is hands down the toughest environment to play in.

 

[SFUWO]

Salem’s game plan should be get Wood the ball early and often. IMO he’s the same factor as D’Lo. As good as Louisa was in 2017, Ramsey running behind the Mules could not be stopped. Same with Wood. He’s one of the better backs I’ve seen this year. Salem has to do what Salem does. Control the line of scrimmage and TOP. Playing at Lake Taylor is no easy task, those guys have an extra gear at their place. Some of my good friends got a chance to play at Salem in 2014 and Lake Taylor in 2012, quite of few of them played big time ball in college.. I’ve been told LT is hands down the toughest environment to play in.

I'm pretty sure that 2012 LT team won the Div 5 title. Then the key players were still there in 2014 when LT beat Salem. I'd would agree it was probably tougher.

 

[iDidntGetBanned]

I'm pretty sure that 2012 LT team won the Div 5 title. Then the key players were still there in 2014 when LT beat Salem. I'd would agree it was probably tougher.

LT was very good in 2012 but so was that 2014 Salem team. Probably the best high school offensive line I’ve ever seen. Add in Coleman Fox and Alex Ramsey. Those guys bounced back to shock the state the next year to beat LT. I’d also add, Salem running clocked GW in 2014 and GW was LT’s smallest margin of victory that regular season. By no means am I trying to be a jackass but the 250 ticket limit doesn’t even bother LT. They probably avg 250-300 fans during normal times. I’ve never been to a LT home game (I’ll more than likely be there on Saturday) but those guys don’t lose too many at their place. The 757 is just a hard place to play as a whole. If Salem beats LT in Norfolk, it’ll be the biggest win on Saturday by any state champion.

 

[RKE Fan]

Salem’s game plan should be get Wood the ball early and often. IMO he’s the same factor as D’Lo. As good as Louisa was in 2017, Ramsey running behind the Mules could not be stopped. Same with Wood. He’s one of the better backs I’ve seen this year. Salem has to do what Salem does. Control the line of scrimmage and TOP. Playing at Lake Taylor is no easy task, those guys have an extra gear at their place. Some of my good friends got a chance to play at Salem in 2014 and Lake Taylor in 2012, quite of few of them played big time ball in college.. I’ve been told LT is hands down the toughest environment to play in.

This is especially true with Salem's O-line this year. I think they have what it takes to get the push needed for an old-fashioned ball-controlled game. Wood is good for 3-4 yards on almost every touch. One bad tackle or over-pursuit and he's cutting back and off to the races. When I watched the last several games it became abundantly clear that the "Mules" were on another level than the last couple of seasons. They are quicker off the ball and more physical. They give Wood what he needs to chew up yards and burn the clock. I believe that truly is Salem's best chance at beating LT. Maybe I'm wrong, but KG's offense seemed to play right into LT's defensive strengths. LT's defensive front is blazing off the ball. Their DE's were often on the QB before he could blink, especially operating from the gun. You will not see that from Salem as Wilson will operate from under center virtually the entire game. One wild card is Leftwich's role. Not only will he need to get some key blocks for Wood, but the Trap has got to be a second weapon for Salem to have a shot. I thought he played well against GW and Tuscarora, but will need his best game of the season against LT. Wilson will also need to play with confidence and manage the game beyond his years as sophomore. Recall what Beckley did to LT back in 2015. He completed a few passes to keep LT's defense honest, played with poise, made almost no mistakes, and acted as if he knew Salem would win from the first snap. Wilson must do the same. In the end, I agree with Shabutie that this will almost certainly be a low scoring game. Salem's defense has played well all season, but will need an almost perfect game to contain Foster, man up with LT's athleticism at WR and RB, and most of all, have the discipline to react and make plays against the Veer.

 

[WP02alum]

I'm pretty sure that 2012 LT team won the Div 5 title. Then the key players were still there in 2014 when LT beat Salem. I'd would agree it was probably tougher.

Yes they did. I was there for their improbable comeback in the semi finals at NSHS. That field goal to win was insane. Believe a young Wayne Davis was on that team.

 

[mike salem]

LT was very good in 2012 but so was that 2014 Salem team. Probably the best high school offensive line I’ve ever seen. Add in Coleman Fox and Alex Ramsey. Those guys bounced back to shock the state the next year to beat LT. I’d also add, Salem running clocked GW in 2014 and GW was LT’s smallest margin of victory that year. By no means am I trying to be a jackass but the 250 ticket limit doesn’t even bother LT. They probably avg 250-300 fans during normal times. I’ve never been to a LT home game (I’ll more than likely be there on Saturday) but those guys don’t lose too many at their place. The 757 is just a hard place to play as a whole. If Salem beats LT in Norfolk, it’ll be the biggest win on Saturday by any state champion.

The transition from 2014 to 2015 for Salem was unfathomable. Only 3 starters returned for a total of 4 starting positions. The 15 team started 7 Soph and they were a big part in why Salem won 3 in a row.

 

[SFUWO]

Yes they did. I was there for their improbable comeback in the semi finals at NSHS. That field goal to win was insane. Believe a young Wayne Davis was on that team.

That game use to be on youtube. Crazy finish

 

[SFUWO]

LT was very good in 2012 but so was that 2014 Salem team. Probably the best high school offensive line I’ve ever seen. Add in Coleman Fox and Alex Ramsey. Those guys bounced back to shock the state the next year to beat LT. I’d also add, Salem running clocked GW in 2014 and GW was LT’s smallest margin of victory that year. By no means am I trying to be a jackass but the 250 ticket limit doesn’t even bother LT. They probably avg 250-300 fans during normal times. I’ve never been to a LT home game (I’ll more than likely be there on Saturday) but those guys don’t lose too many at their place. The 757 is just a hard place to play as a whole. If Salem beats LT in Norfolk, it’ll be the biggest win on Saturday by any state

The transition from 2014 to 2015 for Salem was unfathomable. Only 3 starters returned for a total of 4 starting positions. The 15 team started 7 Soph and they were a big part in why Salem won 3 in a row.

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[EPJr]

High school sports spectator capacity increased to 1,000, schools to receive tickets for football championships​

High school sports spectator capacity increased to 1,000, schools to receive tickets for football championships

The Virginia High School League announced on Thursday that outdoor recreational sporting events will now be able to allow up to 1,000 spectators. This change is effective immediately and increases …

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