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Adam Mull follows his blockers for a big gain.

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.

SHS FTBall 3 Logan Dent finds a crease for a touchdown run.

SHS FTBall 1 Braxton Dean celebrates his fumble return score.

By Sammy Nance-Murphy

On Friday, October 18 West Washington (WW) faced county rival Salem. WW lost and the final score was 34-7. This week the team is preparing for sectional play.

The team will continue their regular practice schedule this week. “We believe it is important to stay consistent with our practice time and routine unless there is an alternate school schedule or something unusual,” head coach Jeremy Lowery said.

The Senators will focus on the fundamentals. “We are definitely creatures of habit with how we prepare,” Lowery said.

Lowery is confident in the team's ability to prepare and execute for their next game. “I believe our kids are in a good frame of mind and they have a clear understanding of the upcoming task at hand. Our kids and coaches do a very good job of managing the highs and lows that can occur during a season. Our kids have and will continue to practice and prepare with great attitude and effort,” Lowery said.

Sectional round one will be WW vs South Decatur located in Greensburg, Indiana. Kickoff is Friday at 7:30 p.m.

The Salem High School Cross Country team competed at their sectional event this past weekend at Bedford North Lawrence.

Placing 15th overall, junior Rafe Wells (middle) had a time of 17:08. He, along with sophomore Aaron Dougherty (left) and freshman Abby Stephenson (right) will go on to compete in the IHSAA Regional event this weekend in Evansville. Come show your support!

The West Washington K-5 Wrestling Club will begin their first practices on October 28 for K-2 students and October 29 for 3-5 students, with regular practices beginning the following week on November 5. This first free session will be a combination of a parent meeting as well as a 1 hour long practice, and it will begin at 5:15 p.m.

Practices will be held in the wrestling room in the new West Washington athletic building (Bowsman Complex) located at 8028 W Batts Rd, Campbellsburg. Grades K-2 wrestlers will meet from 5:15-6:15 p.m on Tuesdays, while grades 3-5 will meet from 5:15-6:30 p.m. on Thursdays.

Participation cost is $25 per child per month. Parents can also opt to pay per practice ($5), or they can choose to pay $100 upfront to cover the November-February season. However, parents and students should not be discouraged by the cost. Sponsorship options are available and can be discussed at the parent meeting where more information will be shared.

Meets currently scheduled

11/24/24 - League Jamboree @ Madison

12/5/24 - Girls League Championship @ Shelbyville High School

12/15/24 - League Dual Championship @ Indian Creek High School

1/12/25 - League Individual JV and Varsity Championships @ Jennings County High School

Friendship matches are to be added as they are scheduled. These will occur throughout the week.

Coaches

Dennis Tankersley - (812) 620-2523 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Bill Johnston

Mason Jones

West Washington High School Wrestlers

Please fill out the following information and bring it to turn in at the first meeting:

Wrestler's Name:

Age:

Shirt Size:

Weight (Approximate):

Grade:

Parent/Guardian Name:

Contact Phone Number:

Logan Dent follows his blocks around the end. He had three touchdown runs on the night.

By Josh Lewis, Writer

The Lions clinched the county championship on Friday night thanks to a convincing win over the Senators. Salem had a bit of a slow start, but a big second quarter helped propel Salem over West Washington 34-7.

Salem Head Coach Brian Glesing said it was good to win the county after having a three way tie last year. “It’s good. It’s always good to beat your county rivals. And we did in good convincing fashion both games. I’m excited about how we handled business. It was a good win on senior night and these guys deserve it.”

Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter. Salem converted an early fourth down on an Adam Mull throw to Lenny Nguyen close to midfield, but the drive stalled in the red zone after a bad snap made it 4th and 27 at the 35 yard line. After a Senator punt, a Seth Ponsford punt return score was called back on a penalty.

The Lions offense broke the stalemate early in the second quarter thanks to some big runs from Logan Dent setting up a Mull to Ponsford 13 yard pitch and catch. Noah Deaton raced around the end for the two point try and Salem led 8-0 with 10:18 to go in the half.

Turnovers allowed the Lions to start pulling away in the second quarter. After a long run Mull ripped the ball free from a Senator ball carrier and returned it to the 38 yard line. A four yard run from Dent and a two point conversion run from Mull pushed the lead out 16-0 with 6:30 to play.

It took just one play for the Lions to get the ball back on another fumble at the 41 yard line. Dent got his second score of the night on a 17 yard run to push the lead out 22-0 with just over two minutes to go in the half.

Salem took over with just under a minute in the half and tried to go quick and get another score but Hayden Morrow ripped down an interception at the 11 yard line to end the half.

Glesing said the turnovers really changed the game after the slow start. “They pose some problems with their option game. They ran some power tosses too. We adjusted to those, but the turnovers were the big story. We got the turnovers and capitalized on that and got out to a comfortable lead. When you do that you don’t have to panic and can do some other things.”

The Lions got back on the board early in the second quarter when Mull found Deaton open down the seam for a 28 yard score to make it 28-0. The Senators though finally got some offense going. They were pinned deep but put together a drive with some gashing runs. Gavin Hunt raced up the middle to get out close to midfield. A few plays later Hudson Cress found room outside and raced for a 33 yard score. After the PAT the Lions still led 28-7 with 5:46 left in the third.

West Washington looked like they were about to put more points on the board, getting down to the five yard line but were stopped on fourth down and the Lions took over. Salem put the finishing touches on the game a few minutes later when Dent found the endzone again from one yard out to make it 34-7 and lock up the county title.

It was also senior night for the Lions. Glesing said all the seniors played well and he was happy for them. “I’m thankful for all the seniors and they all played well. Noah Lee got to start at linebacker. Braxton Backus got in and made some plays as well. The offensive line played well too. We were able to run our power game and control the line of scrimmage.”

Salem has won three games in a row. Glesing said his team is playing pretty well right now. “We wanted to play our best football in October and I think we are. We would like some games back, but hopefully we will be at full strength health wise or close to it. We have just been battling injuries like everybody does. Hopefully we will be at full strength for Clarksville next week.”

Up next is sectional play. The Lions will host Clarksville in the opening round and West Washington will travel to South Decatur.

Salem WW 4 Noah Daulton and CJ Ward bring down Colton Brown.