Salem preview Roanoke Times
- Thread starter mike salem
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Interesting read...Clayborne and Ramsey had some interesting quotes at the end. Be careful what you ask for...Long season ahead get in line..There are plenty of teams that want that opportunity comes with the territory.
I cringed a bit when I read that, but it's good that they have their goals set high. It will be an extremely difficult chore just making it back to Lynchburg, much less knocking off the East representative, but if you're going to have goals might as well make them lofty.
I can assume Coach Mags wasn't around when those comments were made or probably wasn't happy when he read it. I like the kids confidence and if that's how he feel then so be it. Only a select few programs can honestly say that not winning a state championship will make their season somewhat of a disappointment. I think Salem is one of those state title or bust teams.
That caught my eye too. Their depth has improved over the last 3 years. The varsity has had good records the last 3 years which builds more excitement & brings out more players. The last 2 years more guys have been getting playing time because of good leads. JV has been rolling along too with big leads & more guys can get some varsity time earlier in their careers.
Mags definitely had that his first year at Salem. The only player that played both ways regularly was Joey Daniels. Sure they sacrificed a little bit of talent on the field at some positions by doing that but the players were definitely fresh.
Salem will again be good this year. They are always solid. But THEY PLAY NOBODY. Northside may put up a fight but they're still just a 3A. The Spartans are SUPPOSED to win. Everyone looks forward to Amherst and it's a game I'd like to see. I give concessions to the Lancers and the brutal schedule they have had to endure. All due respect. But recent history says Salem should win. 10 - 0 is very real. Spartans still have to win. The games are played on the field. All due respect if they do that. But they SHOULD. The reality is, if Salem plays in the Dulles District, there is little to no chance they are 10 - 0.
Schedule is everything. It can get you to the playoffs and put you in a good position for early wins but it's the end game that matters and I would prefer not to be embarrassed when I get there.
Schedule is everything. It can get you to the playoffs and put you in a good position for early wins but it's the end game that matters and I would prefer not to be embarrassed when I get there.
? Where is 3putt when you need him. I get what Shauntclair is saying, but it's not easy getting teams half way across the state to play you as you think. Sherando got dropped by Liberty , and Kettle Run, and nobody would play them. Last two choices were , Louisa , which is a great game , but still a very long drive. And then Fort hill out of cumberland MD. Another long haul. sometimes when you don't live in the hot bed of 757 and 703 you just have to play who will play you and try to get the games you can. I think Salem schedule is fine, the teams they are playing need to step up there game and get better.
Shauntclair the Dulles ! Salem has played 2 Dulles teams that I know of Dominion and Woodgrove. 52 to whatever over Dominion and 42 to 25 and 38 to 28 over Woodgrove.
One season. One year. With the best team, by Mag's own definition, he has ever had. Just have to start getting real here Free. 10 - 0 Is a great season for anyone but in Salem's case, it doesn't mean much when every game is a should win. No disrespect. They still have to do their job on the field but there are so many other schedules where they will simply cannot hang.
Powhatan in the old SouthSide. Undefeated in over a decade. Now they're in the Jefferson. Not close to the same. Lafayette still plays in essentially the same SouthSide schedule but 3A James Monroe owns them. Nice record each year but why do they drop like a rock when the Jackets get off the bus?
Schedule is everything. You play the big kids, you earn your chits. That's how I would want it. Now Salem can do what they want. I have every respect for them. They win their games. Not many programs can say that. That's the Coach. That's not the players. That's the Coach. All kudo's there. Are they actually any good? We won't know till the end of the season and they actually get a competitive team to play against.
No one would play them huh? Guess we are too far away? We were looking for games for months and didn't get any bites. Should I run down the list of schools that told us no thanks? Sherando could have played us but their schedule was already too hard so the game didn't make any sense to them.
I don't think it has anything to do with how tough the schedule is , realize what your motive is trying to start a thing saying nobody will play Lake Taylor. the problem is for Sherando is the distance only. When I speak of not having a team to play, it's based on within a 2 hour drive. It's not about playing the mighty LT
First of all, Northside will more than put up a fight. I think they'd probably be favored since they're at home this year and they have more experienced players coming back. As far as them being just 3a, last time I checked James Monroe was just 3a as well and based on the way you talk about them, I think you believe they can walk on water. Salem doesn't have a plethora of great big teams within reasonable distance to play every week. They play a local schedule and they're generally well prepared come playoff time.
Dulles district? Other than Woodgrove, who do they have? Salem beat them the last 2 years so I think they'd manage to do ok in the mighty Dulles.
It's the same point you made. No one wanted to play Sherando the same way no one wanted to play us. So basically I feel your pain!!! Sucks when you can't get the "top" teams to play you.
How do you figure it is the coach and not the players as well? Salem won consistently before Mags came. Also, Andrew Lewis is dominant every year and that is before the players have ever been coached by Mags and staff.
I just do not agree with that assessment at all. Although I do think by playing a really good team or two helps , as Lake Taylor vs L.C. Bird and then against Monacan in the playoffs , The districts that you are bringing up are not really dominating . 757 area is a dominating area and talent laden but every team is not all that good . The only team that Courtland beat last year that was any good was James Monroe , a 3a team . Salem won in the playoffs against Charlottsville 52-13 , Woodgrove 38-28 , GW Danville 49-28 , and Liberty Bealton 34-17 . We did lose to one of the top 3 teams in the state last year in the state championship . The coach for Salem said after the game that you cannot make those mistakes against a team like Lake Taylor and expect to win . No excuses .
I do believe the quality of teams you play do matter in the grand scheme of things. True there are bad teams in the 757 like Gloucester, Deep Creek, Kempsville, and Princess Anne but one thing we do not do is try to schedule them. With the freedom to go out and go find your own opponents why not find a team that will give you a good game and could possibly beat you because in the grand scheme of things a good loss is better than a bad win. I would rather lose to LC Bird and Oscar Smith in good games against 5a and 6a powerhouses than schedule 2a Bruton and beat them by 50. Bruton (Williamsburg) is a lot closer than LC Bird (Chesterfield) but how does that get your team better?
I know why Salem schedules the way it does and when you look at the regular season schedule they did beat 6 teams in the regular season that made it to the playoffs:
Patrick Henry (Roanoke) 6a
Northside 3a
Cave Spring 3a
Christiansburg 3a
Blacksburg 3a
Hidden Valley 3a
Pulaski Co 4a
But these teams went 2-4 in the opening round of the playoffs with Cburg losing in round 2 and Northside in round 3 for a total record of 3-6 in the playoffs. When you look at that 2nd round game against Woodgrove people were shocked when Salem was down early and fought back, but that can be attributed to the fact that Woodgrove played 7 teams that qualified for the playoffs (Tuscarora, Champe, Briar Woods, Loudoun Co, Dominion, Broad Run, and Loudoun Valley) so they were battle tested and so Salem honestly was just like the teams they had played all season long plus they had played the year before.
LT played 6 teams that went 4-2 in the opening round and 9-5 overall...Sure Bird going 5-0 makes that look great but we stepped up and played them knowing they were a state championship contender and win or lose it would make us better.
Bottom line out West it is harder to schedule better teams because of travel considerations, but when you have programs like GW Danville, Amherst, and others that are willing to forget about travel and just make a once every two year trip for the experience and competition it does lend to people asking why other programs aren't trying to do the same thing. This is in no way an indictment on Salem's schedule because to them it makes sense logically and financially so who are we to tell people what makes better sense for their program? But as a fan of football I'm always for the best trying to play the best it makes for great football and unbelievable matchups.
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We'll disagree here. There is no question that last year's Salem team was very, very good. As Mag's said, it was the best team in his tenure. The Woodgrove win was good. The LB win showed how the Spartans were. LB was very good and the Spartans beat them flat. Charlottesville was nothing. And Courtland has nothing to do with this. They were way better than GW and screwed the pooch. That's their issue. It happened and they have to live with that. Would they have gotten past Salem? I think not. Spartans were that good. Were the the right rep for the west in the final? Absolutely. Just not gonna beat the East. This year, they can easily be 10 - 0. Just doesn't make them any good. Definitely not as good as 2014.
Maybe Liberty wasn't as good as you thought!! I know on film they didn't look overly impressive more like slow and plodding. They were big but Salem pushed them around up front on both sides of the ball. They stayed in the backfield all night. Just what I observed on film.
Here is what I have to say about Salem 2014 vs. 2015 Salem Next.Man.Up Salem will reload. Please don't say 2015 can't be as good as 2014 before you've seen them play.
My hope is that other teams will underestimate this year's Salem team terribly. Please do.
Hasn't this been established that they will have kids step up and are well coached?? If you think however that people will believe that they are going to just replace 7-8 starters on both sides of the ball and there isn't going to be a drop off then you're mistaken. It will take a little time for them to get it together but as it has been stated up here many times maybe the schedule will help expedite that getting it together process.
Courtland wasn't way better than GW Danville last year. If they were they would have got it done on the field.
And how is Lake Taylor's regular season schedule challenging? Enlighten me. I'm not being sarcastic either, I'm serious.
I agree with you Devils, there will likely be a drop off. It may not be as noticeable during the regular season. They will be challenged by Northside for sure, Salem could probably even be considered the underdog for that game simply because the game is at Northside and they have more experience returning. Not to mention, that last year's game probably left Northside a little stung and they'll be looking for redemption. I expect PH to put up a good fight, they have a Sr QB with 3 years of experience as the starter and he has a strong arm, good accuracy, and has nice touch. That game is away as well. I'm not sure about Amherst, we'll have to see if they've improved- that game is away also. I've heard Pulaski may be improved this year and could challenge also. I expect good things this year, but probably not to the level they were at last year. It's really more of an unknown- last year was a known quantity, this year is uncertain. Next year will be more of a known quantity again because there will be a ton of experienced seniors like last year.
Appreciated observation. About what I thought after the game. LB is about the power and they bring it. Salem had not had to face that prior to that game. I doubted the Spartans but they were clearly up to the task and took care of business.
And due respect to Salem, LB is a plodding O but they had some guys that were pretty fast and talented. They are fighters. Spartans were ready and more than equal to what needed to be done. Well done. They will be strongly in the hunt in the West again this year. GL in 2015.
Game 1 @ Heritage (Newport News) 4a South semifinalist a season ago finalist the year before
Game 2 @ Monticello 3A contender every year
Game 3 @ Northeastern NC (State semifinalist a season ago 13-1)
Game 4 vs. Norview Top 10 team in 5a
Game 5 @ Granby 3 years removed from 9-2 campaign rebuilding D6 school
Game 6 vs. Churchland playoff team the last couple of years in 4a
Game 7 @ Woodrow Wilson former doormat playing better under new coach
Game 8 vs. BTW defeated Powhatan on the road last season. Rivalry game
Game 9 @ Maury Playoff team last couple of years very young squad
Game 10 vs. Norcom Top 10 team in 3a probably for district title
Those is the LT schedule right there.
I don't think it was Devils intent to minimalize the Salem schedule. Rather to just point out some previously stated facts.
And, I don't think countering by pointing out the level of competition of the LT schedule was really in good taste. But since you have, I agree fully with your connotations. The toughest game is against Norview? Really? And maybe a potentially six win Heritage to start the season? If LT isn't 10-0 it will because the bus broke down in route to a game. Can we say #1 seed? Damn district scheduling.
WOW!!! Hopefully this was an attempt at humor!!! So are we playing a weak schedule in your eyes or something? 10-0 is not a gimme, but ok thanks for giving it to us..Home for the playoffs isn't bad enjoyed it a year ago. We have 7 district games that have 2 teams ranked in the top 10 in the state in their respective divisions. We tried to play all of the big boys to no avail so we settled with Heritage 11 wins a year ago, Northeastern 13 win team a year ago, and Monticello 9 win team from a year ago. Not too bad!!!
I think you overlooked Northeastern NC they are a perennial 10 win team. Heritage was pretty good last year as well.
Just an opinion. Yes, they were way better. It should have been another 54 - ? type game. GW has no defense at all. Cougars F'd it up. They know it. They have to live with it. But you are correct. It's done on the field and the scoreboard. All due respect and congratulations to GW. They did it on the field and the scoreboard don't lie. Courtland failed. You don't get off the bus till the second half, you will almost certainly lose. But that's what happened. No,excuses
But if it comes down to it this year, the Cougars don't want to beat GW, they want to kill them. They want to embarass them. They know how badly they screwed the pooch. They have JM, Chancellor, Massaponax, Liberty Bealton and Rivebend marked on their calendar as important games but there is no team they want more badly than GW.
I'm not buying it Mike. You can't be saying it, but it looks like a cake walk to me. Tell me anything about what you apponents records were last year. LT is as strong or stronger than last year. These other teams are all marginally as good if not worse. And how was your record last year? 15-0? Nope, not gonna fly this early.
I think LT will be just as good or better and will win all their games, but a couple of games could be close if they lose focus or overlook someone.
Monticello? Are you really going to try to put them up as an upper team? They are a good program with success over the years. Just can't dispute the record. They will fight. But they are not LT class and not much challenge for what LT brings. Some very talented offensive players and a defense that essentially brings the house on every play. Stop it if you can. Clearly, few have been able. No, LT doesn't play the strongest schedule but they sure don't play a weak one either. Like every team, the game is played on the field. You go 10 - 0, you gotta earn it. Yes, some roads are easier traveled but you still have to complete the journey. No easy task for anyone. GL to all in 2015.
Some of the Teams contacted for games:
Varina played Norcom instead
Bird was forced to play MBK
Highland Springs drug his feet and took Norview instead
Hanover - full
Stone Bridge Co making them play Fairfax
Broad Run Co making them play Fairfax
Sherando Said schedule was already hard enough
Briar Woods Co making them play Fairfax
Hermitage Full
Lafayette No response
GW Danville Full
Western Branch Going to FL
Phoebus No response until May
Indian River No response
Ocean Lakes - couldn't get out of beach schedule
Mallard Creek - YES MALLARD CREEK Said they were looking for FL team
Scotland Co, NC Too far
You don't have to buy it and this isn't even half of the teams I contacted. I will tell you this I did not contact any easy win teams like Jamestown, Clover Hill, Kempsville, Deep Creek, and get our wins up against them. We scheduled 3 playoff teams from a season ago. It sounds like you think we are sitting here trying to get fat on teams to get the #1 seed. I'm surprised this is coming from you considering Dinwiddies previous OOD schedule consisted of Monacan, Jamestown, and Caroline. This year ya'll did pick up Hanover and James Monroe but kept Caroline. Who would you have liked for us to play? Send me your email I will forward you their response if I contacted them so you can see I reached out to teams in Sept and October of last season to a lot of teams.
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You're barking up the wrong tree here. There is not a program in the state who consistently schedules the toughest teams in the state more than Lake Taylor. They've shown a willingness to travel to any region in the state to play any team.
Just because the schedule will be easy for them does not mean that the schedule is easy. There may be only 15-20 programs in the state who could go undefeated against their schedule.
By the way, Lake Taylor called those other 15-20 programs for games, too. Most said, "no thank you"
You're entitled to your opinion and your assertion, albeit erroneous that "it should have been another 54-? type game". Facts are on the field. "Due respect and congratulations" are just half hearted lip service on your part with your subsequent rationalizations. The bus is an excuse. Home field is earned during the regular season. The good teams win some and they lose some but, they and their fans recognize complaining about the bus is an excuse. The better teams overcome it and knowledgeable fans don't whine about it. It's understandable they want to kill them and embarrass them. It is also just bulletin board material until they can actually get it done on the field.
Thanks, that gives me some info. about teams I'm not as familiar with and their strength. I know Norview and Norcom, the others, not so much.
I'm not trying to be nasty by pointing out Lake Taylor's schedule. I just think if we are talking about Salem's schedule, why not talk about the strength of everyone's schedule? Devils just happened to be in the conversation, so I thought I'd ask.
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