varsity.roanoke.com

BLACKSBURG -- Salem High School continued its season-long dominance on Friday night, pummeling host Blacksburg 35-7 at Bill Brown Stadium.

Salem (7-0, 2-0 River Ridge District) piled up 424 yards of total offense and scored four of its five touchdowns on plays of 30 yards or more.

"We are just proud of the way we played," Salem coach Stephen Magenbauer said. "I thought for the most part, we executed pretty good. Our defense has been playing well and they played great again tonight."

Salem's defensive play allowed Blacksburg to gain just 109 yards.

Salem quarterback Adam McGarrell enjoyed a pretty clean game despite playing in wet conditions. The junior completed 8-of-18 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

"All week, it was raining," McGarrell said. "We practiced in the rain and Coach said I had to be confident with my throws, and I think I did that tonight."

In the third quarter, McGarrell connected with Anthony Tolliver on a 37-yard score and later with Stephen Barnette for a 32-yard touchdown.

The Salem receivers easily gained separation and outplayed the Blacksburg defensive backs on their scoring plays.

The Spartans' defense bothered Bruins quarterback Terrence Travis all night.

Blacksburg's quick quarterback was pressured throughout the game as he finished 2-for-9 for 17 yards with an interception.

In key situations, Blacksburg (2-5, 0-2) couldn't find success.

The Bruins were 1-for-8 on third downs and as many drives ended as soon as they started.

Salem, which has given up an average of six points per game in its first seven games, are forcing teams into run-only situations thanks to the play of its defensive backs.

For Blacksburg, not many bright spots could be found on this night. The Bruins averaged just three yards per play and turned the ball over twice as they were unable to manage any offensive momentum.

Coach David Crist thought the difference in size and athleticism, especially comparing his wide receivers to Salem defensive backs, was a lot for the Bruins to contend with.

"We had them covered most of the night," said Crist.

"We just can't jump with them. They are 6-foot-3 and we are 5-10, they can jump out of the gym and we can barely touch the net."

Next for Salem is a crucial district showdown with Christiansburg, which lost for the first time this season on Friday to Hidden Valley.

Both teams are performing at a high level and the winner will take a clear lead in the district.

Magenbauer knows his team was good Friday, but they still must improve.

"We just got to get better," Magenbauer said. "In this district you can't have an off night. We have just to be ready."

Salem 7 7 14 7--35

Blacksburg 0 0 0 7--7

S -- Coles 30 run (Shelton kick)

S -- Collie 1 run (Shelton kick)

S -- Tolliver 37 pass from McGarrell (Shelton kick)

S -- Barnette 32 pass from McGarrell (Shelton kick)

B -- Travis 5 run (Robinson kick)

S -- Collie 47 run (Shelton kick)

SA BL

First downs 19 6

Yards rushing 284 92

Passes C-A-I 8-18-0 2-9-1

Yards passing 140 17

Penalties-yards 9-91 2-15

Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-1

Punts-average 3-35 6-37

Individual statistics

RUSHING -- Salem -- Dyer 14-83, Daniels 16-70, Collie 10-62, Coles 11-52. Blacksburg -- Travis 12-52, Anderson 7-31, Garner 2-5, Hite 2-5.

PASSING -- Salem -- McGarrell 8-18-0-140, Blacksburg -- 2-9-1-17.

RECEIVING -- Salem -- Tolliver 3-73, Barnette 3-52, Dyer 1-11, Coles 1-4. Blacksburg -- Sowers 2-17.