34 seasons have gone by since the the beginning of the Willis White ,Steve Magenbauer era. In that time period Salem is averaging ten wins per year. I know non Salem fans get nauseous when they see Salem stats, but I truly find it amazing. What is the explanation for such a long, long run? It has to be many things not just one.
Interesting stat
- Thread starter southbottomU
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Also, the facilities are very helpful... although they could go along with community and all these factors combined attracts people to wanting to move there and play for that team. This is one of the reasons why my family moved there... shoot, another two players (Brothers) that any Salem fan would remember also moved within a few weeks of me... both of us lived near each other in Roanoke County before moving over. In fact, a lot of these situations involved brothers... including mine.
A lot of good players are born in raised in Salem but when you also get some quality players/families that choose to play for and attend the school it can really help put you over the top. My closest friend (And his older brother) came to Salem about the same time I did but he came from a different state. Guess how they ended up in Salem? When he was in eighth grade his Mom got a big job in Blacksburg and she was in the area deciding where to move (Blacksburg, Roanoke County, Roanoke City, Christiansburg, Salem) and at one point she drove past Salem stadium. She knew immediately that it was a huge football town and decided that day that she would be moving there as her sons were big football players.
Come on Shaunty that argument holds no weight anymore. If you don't have something constructive to add to the thred why even post? You are better than that. SMH
Look shanty. You are not from the Roanoke/Salem area. Therefore you do not appreciate the quality of football played over the years in that area. You are highly partial to the Fredericksburg, NOVA are because that is what you have seen the most. But you have been consistently wrong in picking against Salem Your regionalism blinds you. Let it go
Allow yourself to see the whole picture. Salem has not done this over a 34 year period because Western Va football is weak. In fact what Salem has proven is that the other regions of the State are no better than Salem. In fact when it comes to 4a Nova and Fredericksburg not quite as good
Allow yourself to see the whole picture. Salem has not done this over a 34 year period because Western Va football is weak. In fact what Salem has proven is that the other regions of the State are no better than Salem. In fact when it comes to 4a Nova and Fredericksburg not quite as good
If Salem was a team that consistently did well in the regular season but never performed in the playoffs or won championships he would have an argument but that obviously isn't the case here.
Can't dispute the last two years playoff performances. That would just be stupid. The record speaks for itself. They win.
But who they play during the regular season means fewer injuries. It means the backups get lots of playing time. It means easy wins. It means higher seeding. It means a first round bye and almost a lock for home field advantage and easy opponents.
Now, is Mag's smarter than other HS Coachs? You bet your ***. Does he run an offense that can equally pass or run? You bet you butt. Is the Spartan playoff prep better than anyone else? Hell yes. And is his team more ready than anyone else when they step on the Championship field? Hell yes. They've proved it.
The question you need to ask is whether it's Salem or Mag's that is responsible. I think it's the later.
But who they play during the regular season means fewer injuries. It means the backups get lots of playing time. It means easy wins. It means higher seeding. It means a first round bye and almost a lock for home field advantage and easy opponents.
Now, is Mag's smarter than other HS Coachs? You bet your ***. Does he run an offense that can equally pass or run? You bet you butt. Is the Spartan playoff prep better than anyone else? Hell yes. And is his team more ready than anyone else when they step on the Championship field? Hell yes. They've proved it.
The question you need to ask is whether it's Salem or Mag's that is responsible. I think it's the later.
Give me a frickin break Shauntclair! Take that overused excuse of yours and shove it. Did they not beat Champe, Jefferson Forest, Lake Taylor, Dominion, and Dinwiddie the last 2 years? (4 of those teams were previously undefeated) What's the point of a schedule, if not to get ready for the playoffs? 8 Championships, BOTTOM LINE!
Will never fight you here Mike.
Also, everything I said about Mag's and JMU was completely bogus. Just counted on the Salem fans to be Salem fans. They didn't disappoint.
Great Holidays.
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I
he had a disciplined team and that is most is it. He also knows how to prepare them for those important games
Most did not take the bait. Most of your responses came from non Salem posters.
Since I went to the trouble I'm just going to leave this here:
Courtland regular season opponents overall records
62-49
59-54
50-61
51-61
55-53
5154
53-55
55-52
63-46
67-40
51-55
51-55
53-55
52-57
57-48
52-48
51-55
67-45
1,000-943 51.5% (Courtland 0 Championships fromm '99-Present)
Salem regular season opponents overall records
57-56
51-58
52-59
64-49
52-62
57-57
54-54
66-52
72-43
62-49
51-57
49-57
54-51
50-56
61-53
60-52
62-45
54-49
1028-959 52.7% (Salem 6 Championships from '99 Present)
Mike drops the mic.
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Almost a lock for home field advantage? Last year they had to go on the road and beat Champe and then JF. This year they had to go on the road to play Byrd and should if Dominion had not upset Woodgrove, they would have had to go on the road there. There last playoff loss before the championship game was AT Sherando.
Ouch, don't hit him with the facts. Facts to Shauntclair are like silver bullets to a werewolf.
I see your membership on the board has been long so you should already know, denial of the facts and not owning up when they are presented is not my style at all. But I'm not done with this one yet.
I am not going to defend anyone or any team, but the scheduling argument is old and stagnant. Every team is virtually at the mercy of their opponents. I know Dinwiddie's AD has tried to upgrade our schedule every year and too be honest its a gamble.
Let's be honest their isn't a ton of teams reaching out to play the top teams in 4a. Fans can talk junk and say their team will play anybody, but trust me it doesn't work that way. If you don't believe me ask, LT, Sherando, Salem, Monacan and Dinwiddie how hard it is. Hell, Dinwiddie and Monacan can't get a 5a team outside of the district to play them, so you take what you get and pray the teams you play have good seasons.
Salem vs. Dinwiddie is great for the teams and fans, but its really not a feasible long term plan. At least they will each get some sound points out of the deal.
Hopefully going back to the old regional style format will end most of grumping. Yes, there are going to be teams left out who have stronger schedules, but I don't see any other way to do it. If your team makes it through the regional and advances to the state semis the team surely will have earned it.
Let's be honest their isn't a ton of teams reaching out to play the top teams in 4a. Fans can talk junk and say their team will play anybody, but trust me it doesn't work that way. If you don't believe me ask, LT, Sherando, Salem, Monacan and Dinwiddie how hard it is. Hell, Dinwiddie and Monacan can't get a 5a team outside of the district to play them, so you take what you get and pray the teams you play have good seasons.
Salem vs. Dinwiddie is great for the teams and fans, but its really not a feasible long term plan. At least they will each get some sound points out of the deal.
Hopefully going back to the old regional style format will end most of grumping. Yes, there are going to be teams left out who have stronger schedules, but I don't see any other way to do it. If your team makes it through the regional and advances to the state semis the team surely will have earned it.
Is it stagnant? Powhatan went 10 years without losing a District game and cruising to Regionals and Semi's. Now they're in the Jefferson with the same type of players, same Coach, same philosophies, same feeder system (and I hate this term. It's Parks and Rec guys). The path to the playoffs becomes far different. The path IN the playoffs is far different. The seedings are far different. Injuries are more likely. Learning opportunities are far fewer. Very different results since the move for the Indians. Wonder why.
I agree. If you get to the final and win, you've earned it. But some teams get to drive a straight line in clement weather and on level road. Few true obstacles. Way easier to be in it every year. Some have to drive Mountain passes in the rain.
And if you refer to my post you'll see Courtland had just as "easy" a regular season road with no Titles to show for it. Stop trolling the site to agitate Salem fans.
Players are still getting concussions and presumably CTE, despite our awareness and knowledge brought about by the movie "Concussion" Is your protest over now?
I'll save myself the bother, post away, I'll go enjoy the Spartans accomplishment, the Holidays, and hopefully a good New Year with less pain and frustration.
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THE FLIP SIDE: You could argue that Salem's starters only play maybe a total of 7 or 8 full games due to lopsided scores. That means their starters have less game experience then their playoff opponents. A distinct disadvantage.
Shanti, I used to be the first one in line to criticize schedules and it took a few conversations with a fantastic A.D. to help me understand. Yes, some have it easier than others, but what are teams to do when they go after better teams and told "no thanks".
Lets take Dinwiddies out of district schedule for next season as an example. Not all are away games, but I will use travel time as one team has to do it. Denbigh (2 1/2 hours), Smithfield (hour and 45), Salem (4 hours). This is what it takes to get a 4a or above schedule.
I don't know Salem's A.D., but I commend him for trying to upgrade. People seem to think people are knocking down doors to play the consistent 4a teams. It aint so....... You practically have to sell your soul to the Devil to get games.
Leave the Salem's, Dinwiddies, Monacan, Sherando's, Louisa's, and LT's out of this conversation. They have each tried to schedule the best, but no one ever answers the call. Easy or hard schedule for the most part these teams are always around.
Lets take Dinwiddies out of district schedule for next season as an example. Not all are away games, but I will use travel time as one team has to do it. Denbigh (2 1/2 hours), Smithfield (hour and 45), Salem (4 hours). This is what it takes to get a 4a or above schedule.
I don't know Salem's A.D., but I commend him for trying to upgrade. People seem to think people are knocking down doors to play the consistent 4a teams. It aint so....... You practically have to sell your soul to the Devil to get games.
Leave the Salem's, Dinwiddies, Monacan, Sherando's, Louisa's, and LT's out of this conversation. They have each tried to schedule the best, but no one ever answers the call. Easy or hard schedule for the most part these teams are always around.
To be Honest Powahatan is lucky to be in the Jefferson. They should be in one of the Richmond Districts which would spell trouble for them
probably but I give them credit for moving up in SOS. And they have some long rides to get to games also. They were never forced here. Reclassification had nothing to do with it. This was pride and respect.
The Indians may have seemed to step back over the last few years but they haven't. They've stepped up and are always a challenging opponent for any team.
I do admit that I have taken this point for granted. My Blueberries from Courtland do play teams like Massaponax and Riverbend. They are also only a 5 minute ride to get there. Literally. The majority of teams in the West don't have that kind of luxury.
Brook Point, Colonial Forge and Mountain View are yearly scrimmages but are under 30 minutes. A lot easier for all to play quality opponents. EV and KG are almost an hour but rides don't get much easier when there is only a few lights to go through. Louisa is the same. Easy, easy, easy.
That's on me for not considering the plethora of good teams within such easy reach. There is no issue with scheduling. Of course, no one want's to drive 4 hours to get to a game (other than playoff time). Completely understandable. Courtland would love to play Dinwiddie or LT each year but why would they when fine opponents are around the block.
As @BleedingNavy said it is difficult for a 4A to schedule a great schedule sometimes. While I am not opposed to din vs salem I'm not sure I love it. I'd rather save it for the playoffs. I'd like to see Dinwiddie pick up Manchester or hermitage and Salem pick up a massopanox or something. I'd like to save the non district 4A matchups for the playoffs. But a 5 or 6A team to play down to a quality 4A team is asking a lot. Maybe LT year in and year out has the type of lure for tht to be interesting for 5A's and 6A's. Probably Dinwiddie and Salem too but outside of tht it could prove challenging for a lot of the 4A schools.
The nearest 5a school to Salem, that has a big time football program is 3 to 4 hours away in Leesburg or Richmond. Salem will be playing two 5a schools next year Patrick Henry and Franklin County, both are nearby (PH pretty good, Franklin getting better)
Franklin County: 6A South, Conference 3
Patrick Henry: 5A North, Conference 16
Franklin County has never been anything other than Division 6 or 6A, since all the divisions came into being. PH has bounced between 5 and 6. William Fleming in Roanoke has bounced between 4 and 5 a few times, and apparently will be rejoining the 5A (or "Class 5") ranks next year.
Patrick Henry: 5A North, Conference 16
Franklin County has never been anything other than Division 6 or 6A, since all the divisions came into being. PH has bounced between 5 and 6. William Fleming in Roanoke has bounced between 4 and 5 a few times, and apparently will be rejoining the 5A (or "Class 5") ranks next year.
My bad! I know we were talking about Franklin County, but my brain was focused on Patrick Henry. You are correct.