By Josh Lewis, Writer
It’s hard to ask much more of the Lions football team than the performance they delivered in the opening round of sectional play. Salem scored early and often as they throttled visiting Clarksville for a 67-16 win over the Generals to keep their season alive into the sectional semi-finals.
Salem Head Coach Brian Glesing said it’s always tough being in a game you know will be one sided, but added he was proud of his team. “Those games are tough. I’ve been on the other end of those. I’m proud of our kids for being professional and being business-like in situations like that. We took care of business and that’s all you can ask. Those games are tough on both ends, nobody likes them. We did what we needed to do, and we had some guys get to score that might not have ever had a chance to score, so that was good. I’m happy for our guys. It's a well deserved win, and it’s on to step two.”
After forcing an early punt, it took the Lions offense just three plays to get on the board when Logan Dent scored from 17 yards out. He also punched in the two point try and made it 8-0 with 8:31 left in the quarter.
On the Generals next offensive play Braxton Dean scooped up a fumble and ran it back for the 21 yard score just 14 seconds after their previous score to make it 14-0 with 8:18 to play in the first.
Another General fumble was recovered by Caris Moore at the 25 yard line two plays later. That set up an Adam Mull passing score to Dean from six yards out. A muffed kickoff and a one play 35 yard score through the air from Mull to Seth Ponsford gave the Lions two scores in 10 seconds to push the lead out 27-0 with 7:13 left in the first.
A Clarksville first down was called back after a penalty and then on the next play Payton Schocke picked off a pass at the 36 yard line. Dent rushed in from 26 yards out to push the lead up 33-0 with 4:18 to play in the first.
Ponsford returned the ensuing Clarksville punt from around midfield all the way back for the touchdown and Salem had ensured a running clock would take place with 3:08 left in the first quarter as the Lions started to sprinkle JV players into the lineup from that point.
From there the Lions would score four more times. Cage Callaway scooped up a fumble for a score. Mull connected with Dean for his third score on a 27 yard pass. CJ Ward rushed from four yards out. The final score of the night came from Rory Davidson when he scooped up a fumble on a kickoff for the Lions third defensive score of the night to put an exclamation point on the evening for Salem and make 67-0 before the Generals put two scores on the board in garbage time.
Glesing said it was important to seize control of the game early and not overlook Clarksville. “We wanted to make sure we came out and got the game in hand early. The first few possessions settled the game and that was big. When we did we were able to get other guys to play and get other guys some rest. That’s important going into next week’s playoff game.”
The whole team got to play and Glesing said that everybody did some good things. “Our whole team was great. Everybody got to play. Rory had the fumble return for the touchdown. Ponsford had another punt return touchdown. We had a lot of defensive scores. We didn’t even run very many offensive plays for that matter.”
Salem will travel to Tell City next Friday for the sectional semi-final matchup.
Logan Dent finds a crease for a touchdown run.
Braxton Dean celebrates his fumble return score.