Great job by the kids, but let's not forget the Coaching Staff. Salem kicks off their best running back and only D1major player and don't bat an eye. Win last two games on the road and then win three playoff games after the suspension. Great job coaches and great show of character by the kids.
Congratulations to Salem winning third straight West Title
- Thread starter southbottomU
- Start date
Given the O-line injuries, the MRSA outbreak that affected two games, and especially the Ramsey situation, this might be one of Magenbauer's better coaching efforts, regardless of next week's outcome. A big tip of the cap - and huge "thanks" - to him and the entire staff.
All these new threads over and over could've just been stated in existing threads. But congrats to the Spartans, y'all just might do it again.
Congrats to Salem. A nice dynasty they have going over there. But one thing their dominance tells me is that the other teams over there need to step up their game to try and knock them off the mountain. They've seen Salem enough to know what it takes to compete at that level, and know where they need to improve to be able to compete with them. Now don't get me wrong...I know that is MUCH easier said than done...but they can't expect a program like Salem to relax and come back to them. If any of those teams ever want to knock them off, they are gonna have to go and get them.
I'm still not sure how Salem would have matched up with Woodgrove. That probably would have been a tough game for Salem, especially up there. And I'm sure the long bus trip this morning had to have a negative effect on Dominion's performance, to some degree. But with all that said, the Loudoun County schools don't seem to be making any progress in solving the Salem puzzle. Since the realignment, Salem's gone 5-0 against Loudoun Co. teams. With the exception of the first half of the second meeting with Woodgrove in 2014, the Spartans have completely controlled play in all five games, if not dominated. Dominion was reasonably tough and physical, but they just got worn down as the game went on. It's hard to put your finger on exactly what's missing; I think it's been different things for each of the teams. They've each had some skill and some talented linemen. I think overall it does boil down to toughness, both physical and, perhaps more importantly, mental. Salem players just know they're going to make the big plays and get the key stops that the Loudoun Co. teams can't seem to come up with. I'd say that, and balance across all phases of the game are the two biggest differences. And again - I'm just comparing Salem to the Loudoun Co. schools here. But the same applies to Fauquier, Liberty (Bealeton), and Millbrook. Of all the schools from up north that Salem's encountered, only Sherando three years ago didn't blink first.
I wish we'd gotten a look at Woodgrove. I know - careful what you wish for. But of the teams Salem's actually played in 2016, I don't think there's any doubt that William Byrd is the best. I know it's hard for others around the state to believe, but the Terriers very well might have been the next-best team in the region, and bonafide top four in 4A.
The format changes again next fall, but it will be interesting to see if anyone can prevent a fourth straight trip to the championship game for the Spartans.
Last edited:
I think Dominion could have beaten Byrd. Not guaranteed but I think there's a good shot. Byrd doesn't have the QB/WR combo Salem does (and Salem has 3 legit WRs and a TE to throw to) to exploit Dominion's weaker secondary but that Dominion front 7 would likely make things hard on Basham. Much the same, I could see Byrd's D harassing McCants like Salem did. I think it'd be a hell of a game.
I think even if Salem had played Woodgrove, Salem would have had the advantage. I think it may have been a tougher game, but I still would have picked Salem Of course, we will never really know what would have happened in that scenario.
One thing I can tell you from past personal experience is that the 'mystique' of a team can play a part in the performances other teams put up against teams with a legacy like the one Salem has created. Our teams long ago had a certain 'mystique' around us(much like Salem has now), and I can tell you for a fact that in some cases we had already won before we stepped on the field because of how our opponents looked at us...and in even more cases, we had lesser opponents(regular season opponents) who were pumped up to play us because they saw it as a chance to slay the giant...but as soon as we hit them with a 3 and out, or drove down the field like a hot knife through butter, they went into a shell that they never recovered from. That's not a put down to those teams, it's simply a product of normal human nature when you feel as if you are fighting a battle you have no chance of winning. Now we didn't see it as often in the post season, but when we played district teams, or area teams...they many times made our job easier for us simply because they were maybe a little intimidated, or simply lacked the confidence to be able to win.
I can't help but wonder if some of those teams you guys face year in and year out actually have the confidence to feel like they have a legitimate shot to beat you. Again, it's not a slight to those teams, just a reality of human nature. If those guys don't have total confidence they can get it done, or a re just a tad bit intimidated by you guys...they're not gonna beat you.
One thing I can tell you from past personal experience is that the 'mystique' of a team can play a part in the performances other teams put up against teams with a legacy like the one Salem has created. Our teams long ago had a certain 'mystique' around us(much like Salem has now), and I can tell you for a fact that in some cases we had already won before we stepped on the field because of how our opponents looked at us...and in even more cases, we had lesser opponents(regular season opponents) who were pumped up to play us because they saw it as a chance to slay the giant...but as soon as we hit them with a 3 and out, or drove down the field like a hot knife through butter, they went into a shell that they never recovered from. That's not a put down to those teams, it's simply a product of normal human nature when you feel as if you are fighting a battle you have no chance of winning. Now we didn't see it as often in the post season, but when we played district teams, or area teams...they many times made our job easier for us simply because they were maybe a little intimidated, or simply lacked the confidence to be able to win.
I can't help but wonder if some of those teams you guys face year in and year out actually have the confidence to feel like they have a legitimate shot to beat you. Again, it's not a slight to those teams, just a reality of human nature. If those guys don't have total confidence they can get it done, or a re just a tad bit intimidated by you guys...they're not gonna beat you.
I don't even factor that in when thinking about the games although you may very well be right regardless. To me, with these NOVA teams, I don't think they're playoff prepared. 4 times Salem has faced a team having its best season ever (Woodgrove at the time, John Champe last year, Millbrook and Dominion this year) which means playoff inexperience. For Salem it's just part of each year and these kids are deeply versed in playoff prep and attitude. There was no better example than earlier today when Salem threw the pick 6, calmly trotted back to the sidelines, came back and two plays later evened the score and basically never looked back, each drive after more punishing than the one before it.
I don't know exactly what it is beyond a culture of expectation but you almost can't tilt Salem. You can beat them, sometimes even badly, but the attitude just doesn't change. I know some teams thrive on emotion (and all teams thrive on momentum, I'm not saying Salem kids are soulless robots) but it's just so even keeled and that starts at the top. Mags is almost unflappable. You can see him yell every now and then but he's a very chill guy who never gets too up or too down and I think it flows down into the kids. Willis White, for all I can remember, was much the same.
I don't know exactly what it is beyond a culture of expectation but you almost can't tilt Salem. You can beat them, sometimes even badly, but the attitude just doesn't change. I know some teams thrive on emotion (and all teams thrive on momentum, I'm not saying Salem kids are soulless robots) but it's just so even keeled and that starts at the top. Mags is almost unflappable. You can see him yell every now and then but he's a very chill guy who never gets too up or too down and I think it flows down into the kids. Willis White, for all I can remember, was much the same.