Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 23, 1993 TAG: 9310230221
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: COVINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Salem's defense disarmed the previously potent Mountaineers as the Spartans broke a two-game losing streak with a 34-0 victory Friday night.
The Spartans welcomed back All-Timesland running back Marcus Parker to a percolating offense that gained 309 yards, including 114 on the ground by Jomo Nelson.
Chris Huff scored twice on short runs in the first half, and Salem never was bothered as it improved its record to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the district. Alleghany, considered a contender in the Blue Ridge, is 5-3 and 1-2.
"I just challenged the kids," said Willis White, who never has lost three in a row as Salem's coach. He said the last time he can remember three consecutive defeats for one of his teams was in 1968.
"We had to come out here and prove ourselves," Parker said.
Parker ran five times for 23 yards, but saw a 49-yard gain called back because of a penalty. He said his surgically repaired right knee feels fine.
"The biggest thing I have to get back is my wind," he said. "I feel like [my speed] is back."
If Salem's star wasn't at his brightest, Alleghany's star was invisible. The Spartans shut down tight end Todd Wheatley, who had five touchdown catches entering the game.
The Mountaineers completed only two of 14 passes and couldn't bail themselves out of poor field position.
"They've been throwing very well," White said. "We worked really hard on Wheatley the first half. We doubled him every snap, whether it was a pass or not. We tried to wear him down."
Although Salem rushed for 226 yards, its defense may have provided the most important play. Alleghany had fourth-and-one at the Spartans' 28-yard line late in the scoreless first quarter.
The Mountaineers' David Cummings took a handoff up the middle and went nowhere, thanks to a hit by Nelson.
"That's like an extra shot of adrenaline," White said of the defensive back's stop.
Two possessions later, Huff capped a 12-play, 60-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run as Salem took a 7-0 lead with 3 minutes, 18 seconds left in the half. Parker made his first appearance during that drive.
After going ahead, the Spartans forced Alleghany to punt from its 15-yard line, and Salem got the ball on the Mountaineers' 37 with 1:20 left in the half.
Kevin Feazell went 3-for-5 passing for 21 yards, leading Salem to the Alleghany 16. Nelson's burst up the middle put Salem on the 1. Huff scored on the next play. The extra-point kick was blocked and Salem led 13-0 with 24 seconds left.
The Spartans went from distance runners to sprinters in the second half, scoring on a two-play, 47-yard, 28-second drive to take a 20-0 lead with 9:42 left. Nelson's 43-yard run down the left sideline set up his 4-yard scoring run.
Two possessions later, Nelson gained 25 yards, including a 16-yard scoot around the left end for a touchdown, and a 27-0 Spartans lead with 2:19 left.
Reserve running back Rusty Howell ran 33 yards for Salem's last score, with 4:18 left in the game. '\
see microfilm for box score
by CNB