Salem Jumps on Christiansburg early, makes it hold up 24-7
Willis White Field, Salem, VA. – Crunch’s Bonus Game coverage took us to Willis White Field at Salem Stadium as the undefeated Christiansburg Blue Demons made the trip to take on the Salem Spartans. Talk about fast starts, Salem blew out of the gates and scored touchdowns on their first three possessions and held a 21-0 lead at the 7:57 mark of the 2nd quarter. 
The Blue Demons were not going away though, and after forcing a turnover on downs on the Spartan’s next possession, they moved 50 yards on two plays to cut the lead 21-7 at the half. Both teams made adjustments at the break and the second half proved to be a defensive battle with the only score coming on a 37-yard field goal by Spartan K 20 Wesley Cross to make the final tally 24-7 Salem. Both coaches complimented their defensive team efforts after the game. When asked about how his team responded after the initial Spartan scoring burst, Blue Demon Coach Alex Wilkens said “we made some adjustments, I mean they [Salem] did some stuff … we had not seen them in … but I was proud of the way our defense settled in … and played better. They are just so well coached, they don’t really give you much.” Similarly, Salem Coach Don Holter said “I am proud of our defense. We challenged them to shut them out in the 2nd half – that is what they did”. Holter also went on to credit his offensive line, “I thought the offensive line grew up, particularly in the first half. Our intensity in the second half, up front, kind of went down a bit, and obviously the coaches need to fix that, but proud of our offensive line and the things they were able to accomplish”.
First Half – The Spartans received the opening kickoff and moved 77 yards for the touchdown when TE/DE 14 Jake Massey caught a 7-yard TD pass from QB 10 DaRon Wilson. WR/CB 11 Chauncey Logan Jr. set up the score when he out jumped Blue Demon defenders and hauled down a 34-yard pass from QB 10 Wilson.
Salem’s 11 Chauncey Logan Jr. leaps to catch a deep ball from QB DaRon Wilson
K 20 Wesley Cross made the PAT and Salem led 7-0. After a Christiansburg three-and-out the Spartans took over on their 30 yard line and put together another long scoring drive. QB 10 Wilson continued his accurate passing, throwing 3 completions for 10, 8 and 20 yards, before TB 21 Jayveon Jones scored from 9 yards out to give Salem a 14-0.
First Half – The Spartans received the opening kickoff and moved 77 yards for the touchdown when TE/DE 14 Jake Massey caught a 7-yard TD pass from QB 10 DaRon Wilson. WR/CB 11 Chauncey Logan Jr. set up the score when he out jumped Blue Demon defenders and hauled down a 34-yard pass from QB 10 Wilson.
21 Jayveon Jones stretches for extra yards in the first half
Christiansburg picked up one 1st down on their next possession, but punted when the drive stalled at the Spartan 46. Salem FB 28 Cam Leftwich’s hard-nose running was on display on the Spartan’s 3rd scoring drive as he broke numerous tackles while adding to his game high 106 yards rushing on 20 carries.
Spartan QB 10 DaRon Wilson eyes an open FB 28 Cam Leftwich for the pass completion
The Spartans converted a 3rd and 2 when QB 10 Wilson hit FB 28 Leftwich for a 9 yard pass completion and two plays later he found WR/CB 11 Logan Jr. for a quick pass to the sidelines and after he eluded one Blue Demon defender he turned on the jets for a 46 yard touchdown reception. K 20 Cross made his third PAT on the night and Salem was in control 21-0. Both teams turned the ball over on downs on their next series and Christiansburg took over on the 50 yard line with 1:57 left in the first half. On the first play of the drive, QB 8 Casey Graham hit WR/DB 5 Jaxson Clarke down the middle of the field for a 47 yard strike to the Salem 3 yard line. QB 8 Graham plunged in from the 3 and K/WR/DB 7 Jonah Bremner’s PAT was good and the halftime score was 21-7.
Chauncey Logan Jr. sprints to the end zone for 46 yard TD catch in the 2nd Qtr
Christiansburg’s WR Jaxson Clarke on the receiving end of a 47-yard pass from QB Casey Graham
Second Half – The Blue Demons got the ball to start the half and quickly moved to the Spartan 16 yard line after QB 8 Graham found QB/RB/DB 4 Tanner Evans for a 28 yard strike and a roughing the passer penalty was tacked on to the end of the play.
Blue Demon’s 4 Tanner Evans finds daylight on the opening drive of the 2nd half
The Spartan defense rose to the occasion though and forced a turnover on downs when QB 8 Graham’s pass fell incomplete on a 4th and 13 on the Salem 19 yard line. Coach Wilkens said after the game that “we knew that was the key, we knew if we could go down and score right there it could be a very different ball game. We had a couple of plays schemed up, they were wide open, we just missed them. It wasn’t our night, credit to them.” The Spartan offense took over and picked up 3 first downs to move to their 20 yard line when K 20 Cross was sent out to kick a 37 yard field goal on 4th down and 4. Cross’ attempt was good and that proved to be the final score, with the Spartans claiming a 24-7 victory to move them to 3-1 on the season. – Mike ‘The Machine’ Dermott
Salem Kicker Wesley Cross’ 37-yard FG splits the uprights
Offense: Rushing– Christiansburg – Kenyon Johnson-Buchannon 14-41, Fum, Tanner Evans 3-8, Drew Lloyd 2-1, Casey Graham 6-3, TD, Jayron Thompson 1-(-7) Salem – Jayveon Jones 13-40, TD, DaRon Wilson 11-17, Fum, Cam Leftwich 20-106, Jamien Lingenfelter 2-19, Isaiah Barlow 1-2, #36 1-2 Passing– Christiansburg– Casey Graham 8/17-121 Salem – DaRon Wilson 12/19-203, 2 TD Receiving– Christiansburg– Jayron Thompson 1-4, Drew Lloyd 3-15, Jaxson Clarke 2-70, Tanner Evans 2-32, Salem– Chauncey Logan Jr. 5-107, TD, Chase Greer 1-20, Jake Massey 2-31, TD, Cam Leftwich 2-31, Landon Goins 1-9, Jayveon Jones 1-5 Punting– Christiansburg– Curtis Altizer 1-28, Drew Lloyd 2-34.5 avg. Salem – Chauncey Logan Jr. 1-41
Scoring:
First Quarter
• Salem: J.Massey 7-yd pass from Wilson; Cross PAT (7:51)
• Salem: J.Jones 9-yd run; Cross PAT (1:47)
Second Quarter
• Salem: C.Logan Jr. 46-yd pass from Wilson; Cross PAT (7:57)
• Christiansburg: Grahahm 3-yd run; Bremner PAT (1:34)
Third Quarter
• Salem: Cross 37-yd FG (4:44)