Salem eighth-graders win, seventh-graders tie openers

The defense for the Tigers was a bright spot with players like linebacker Kentley LoJoie, linebacker Peyton Mercer, safety Foster Jones, safety Maddix Lough, cornerback Carter Woolf and cornerback Reece Hair making defensive plays in the game. The game was only two quarters because of low numbers for the Bears but it was a good start for our seventh-grade team. They showed potential and fought to the very end of the game. We have some things to clean up and improve on but we are very proud of the effort for the first game. We have our home opener on Thursday Sept. 18th at 5:30 p.m. when the rival Mountain Grove Panthers come to town.

Salem’s eighth grade football team beat the Willow Springs Bears for the season opener 44-0 Thursday Sept. 11.

Fullback Eli Decker was the first to find the end zone with a long run up the middle for the Tigers. He would also score again later in the game and provide some big hits and tackles on the defensive side as well at the linebacker position. Running back Weston Tackett left the game early with a leg injury but was able to convert on a couple two-point conversions in the game. We’re hoping for a quick recovery for him next week.

Running back David Brooks Jr was electrifying with his ability to avoid tackles and long strides in the open field. Brooks Jr scored twice on the night and gave the Bears defense fits with his speed on the edge. Running back Rafe Dodson is a Swiss Army knife with his ability to play multiple positions. He began on our offensive line to start the game but later moved to running back to punch one touchdown in the end zone. Fullback Aiden Hudson got in the action as well with a score up the middle. Our defense made some big stops and didn’t allow the Bears anything in this game with a shutout to start the season.

Defensive end Eldon “EJ” James, defensive end Keegan Terrill, defensive tackle JJ Mosher, defensive tackle Madden Schloemer and defensive tackle Bryce Coates terrorized the Bears backfield with multiple sacks and tackles for loss on the night. Safety Ben Hobson made his impact known in the secondary with several tackles and an interception for the Tigers that led to a quick scoring drive.

Linebacker Braxton Hopkins, safety Thomas Lewis, cornerback Alec Capuchilo, cornerback Carter Kissir and cornerback Ryker Huff broke up several passes and made it difficult on the Bears pass game all night. It was a great start to the season for our football team. The kids have put in the work and the results are showing. We are very proud of these boys and excited for the season. The scary thing is I think we can play much better as a team. We get a huge test this week as we face our long time rival Mountain Grove in our home opener.