Salem remains undefeated with a 63-7 win over the Knights
Bogle Field, Roanoke, Va.- The Salem Spartans remained undefeated with a big 63-7 win over River Ridge foe Cave Spring on Friday night. Salem wasted little time in getting into the scoring column and once the Spartans got started there was little that could be done to stop Coach Holter’s troops. Salem scored four times in the first quarter with four TDs, two in the air and two on the ground. RB 42 Zavione Wood scored four times on the night and picked up 199 yards on seven carries in a half of duty. 
Sophomore QB 10 DaRon Wilson was 4/7 for 40 yards and two TDs. The Knights were led by QB 35 Skylor Griffiths, although the Junior found the sledding tough. Cave Spring would get on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter on a 25-yard TD pass from Griffiths to WR 12 Bryce Cooper.
Salem RB 42 Zavione Wood
First Quarter –
Ask anyone who will tell you the truth, Salem is a tough opponent all the way around. If you’re going to have a chance to beat the Spartans, then you have to play flawless, create some turnovers, and limit their touches with the ball on offense. That is easier said then done. I believe the much improved Cave Spring Knights took on the Spartans with that game plan in mind. It just wasn’t to be this night.
Cave Spring’s defense swarms Salem QB 10 DaRon Wilson under
Salem kicked to Cave to start the game. The Spartan defense dug in and forced a quick three and out. Salem’s first drive of the night was a methodical. Led by Sophomore QB 10 DaRon Wilson, the Spartans used the run with RB 42 Zavione Wood and FB 28 Cam Leftwich as well as a mix of passing to cap off their first drive. When the Spartans use a balanced attack, it’s tough to not be exposed somewhere.
Salem WR/DB 6 Jayden McDonald finishes off a scoring catch and run
Wilson finished off the Spartans first drive with a 10-yard TD pass to WR/DB 6 Jayden McDonald at the 8:38 mark. Salem K 20 Cross nailed the PAT and it was 7-0 Salem. Cave was held on their next drive and a short 14-yard punt put Salem back in the catbird’s seat again at the Knight’s thirty one yardline.
From there RB 42 Wood followed a big block by FB 28 Cam Leftwich in route to a big 30-yard gain.
Salem FB 28 Cam Leftwich can run, block and catch the ball out of the backfield for the Spartans
FB 28 Cam Leftwich finished the drive off with a one-yard plunge into the endzone. Thirty seconds later Salem led 14-0 with K 20 Cross’ extra point.
Once RB 42 Wood gets started, he’s a tough runner to get back in line. On Salem’s next series, the Senior broke off another big run. This time it covered fifty one yards and moved the Spartan lead to 21-0 with the PAT.
Spartan WR/DB/KR 8 Chase Greer tackled by the Knights
QB 10 Wilson found Junior WR/DB 8 Chase Greer on a 20-yard TD toss and run to make it a four touchdown lead for Coach Don Holters squard after one quarter of play. Salem’s defense is a big part of how the Spartans get their leads and just keep adding to it. If you can’t keep the ball and subsequently Salem’s offense off the field, you are going to give up points.
Cave Spring QB 35 Skylor Griffiths has been a bright spot for the Knights all year long
Second Quarter –
In the second quarter it was more of the same. This time WR/DB 4 Jonathan Vernon’s lead block sprung RB/LB 42 Wood on a 57-yard TD run only a minute into the quarter. Salem’s lead was now at 35-0. Salem’s sixth score was set up by a punt return by WR/DB 8 Greer. The Junior picked his way through tacklers and set the visitors up for more first half points. FB 28 Leftwich opened up a hole with another big lead block that sprung RB/LB 42 Wood for a 19-yard TD run pushing the lead to 42-0. Salem’s final score of the first half came on just an athletic play by Spartan DB/WR 9, and Virginia Tech signee, Jorden McDonald. Cave QB 35 Skylor Griffiths, under duress and looking to throw the ball away, was picked off by McDonald as the Senior made an unbelievable snatch near the sidelines. RB/LB Wood would go on to score from 29-yards out for his fourth and what would prove to be his final TD of the game. Wood ended his night with seven carries for 199 yards and four scores. Salem went to the break up 49-0.
The Spartan defense bottled up Cave Spring running backs all night. DB 23 Amarri Edwards makes the play
Third Quarter –
To add insult to injury for the Knights, WR/DB 2 Shawn Collins took the opening second half kickoff 85 yards for the score and :26 into the second half.
Salem WR/DB/QB 11 Chauncey Logan Jr. catches a deep TD pass
Salem’s final TD had QB 10 Wilson hitting WR/DB 11 Chauncey Logan down the right sidelines. Logan, also a Salem QB, caught it in stride and it was another ‘Salem Six.’ The left footed Cross put a bow on it with the point after. Salem’s lead was now 63-0.
Fourth Quarter –
Halfway through the final quarter, Cave QB 35 Skylor Griffiths got the Knights on the board with a 25-yard TD pass to WR 12 Bryce Cooper. Knight K 19 Tyler Mitchem came out and nailed the point after making the final 63-7.
Cave Springs WR 24 Bryce Cooper gets the Knights on the scoreboard with a TD catch
Scoring:
- S: Wilson 10-yd TD pass to Jayden McDonald; Cross PAT
- S: Leftwich 1-yd TD run; Cross PAT
- S: Wood 51-yd TD run; Cross PAT
- S: Wilson 20-yd TD pass to Greer; Cross PAT
- S: Wood 57-yd TD run; Cross PAT
- S: Wood 19-yd TD run; Cross PAT
- S: Wood 29-yd TD run; Cross PAT
- S: Collins 85-yd kickoff return for a TD; Cross PAT
- S: Wilson 39-yd TD pass to Logan; Cross PAT
- CS: Griffiths 25-yd TD pass to Cooper; Mitchem PAT
