Salem is a lot further ahead of where they were last year at this time. The offense is really explosive with the two fullbacks Hale/Ramsey along with HB Owen and a few other guys that rotate in. They worked Ramsey into the scrimmage more and more as it went along and he made some incredible plays in the 2nd and 3rd quarter. The QB play was up and down but it did keep getting better as the scrimmage went along. Tucker is playing on a different level outside right now. He has always been a good a good route runner and very quick but he looks faster and stronger this year and his run-after-catch was impressive. Made 2-3 guys miss (Sometimes more) almost every time he touched the ball. They also still have Quinn and Wade at WR and Quinn made probably the impressive play of the scrimmage on a deep ball from Gladden... just an amazing diving catch. The center, RG and RT started playing very well after the second quarter. The left side still needs some work and they were rotating some guys over there trying to find out who they want for starters. Tight end play was ok but could still be better in the running game. The second team and third team offense was more crisp than I have seen in many years at this point in the season. That unit still has some explosive running backs and WRs and was very good up front tonight.
If you look at the scoreboard the defense looked impressive but there are definitely areas to work on. A few drops and slight misthrows to open WRs on slants and posts really hurt MV early and the WRs were getting some separation on those plays. As the scrimmage went on the coverage continued to get tighter. Right now, the weakest position is LB and that expected after losing a player like Riley Fox. How well that unit develops, along with QB is what will really determine how far this team goes this year. The defensive line and OLBs played pretty well and they have quite a few guys that can rotate in up front... they also have a very good group that rotates in at DB. The thing that impressed me most about this years team at this point in the season was how quality the depth was at a ton of positions. Oh yeah, the kicker Nate Craft kicked every kickoff into the endzone and some went out the back of it. That is a huge weapon they have had for a few years now but this year the leg is noticeably stronger.
They still need to improve in all areas but the development at QB, LB and the left side of the offensive line will be interesting to watch as the season goes on and will probably be the biggest factor that.
Logan Dennis #6 got hurt at some point in time and had crutches on the sidelines... hopefully he recovers ok.
Does anyone know if James Newby, the good WR from the last year's JV team is playing?