varsity.roanoke.com

Friday night's Salem-Pulaski County football game won't be remembered as one of the most riveting, epic battles in the schools' spirited three-decade rivalry.

But it does stand out as a rarity in that both teams left the field with a degree of satisfaction.

The Spartans systematically scored five touchdowns and a field goal to defeat the Cougars 36-20. Salem finished its regular season with a perfect 10-0 record and emerged as undisputed River Ridge District champions. The Spartans have earned the No. 1 seed in Region 4, Division 4, giving them a bye in next week's first round of the playoffs.

Pulaski, which completed its year with an uncharacteristically dismal 2-8 mark, had little to play for Friday but pride. That turned out to be a substantial factor, however, as the Cougars scored the first points an opponent has managed in Salem Stadium this year, trailed just 19-14 at the half, and was still realistically in the game well into the final period.

"If we had given the type of effort all year we did tonight, we wouldn't be in the situation that we are," said seventh-year Pulaski coach Jack Turner, whose own team went through the regular season unbeaten in 2008. "This is what Cougar football is supposed to be. I was disgusted and disappointed all year long, but not tonight. We're just not as good a team as Salem. I told [Salem] Coach [Stephen] Magenbauer to bring the state championship flag back to the River Ridge District."

Magenbauer, who improved his remarkable six-year record with the Spartans to 69-6, said he wasn't surprised that Pulaski gave his squad a run.

"I didn't expect anything less," he said. "They match up well with us and they have a lot of team speed. They got away from us a couple of times."

Heralded Pulaski County athlete Tahrick Peak was still nursing an injury, Turner said, and did not play.

The Spartans struck first on a defensive score, as Salem linebacker Darius Medley picked up an errant pitch and ran the ball into the end zone from the Pulaski 12-yard-line.

"[Defensive end] Phillip [Hughes] hit their quarterback [Luke Watson] just as we was pitching it, and the next thing I knew I had the ball," Medley said, who was clearly enjoying the moment after scoring his first defensive touchdown. "I'm going to get some more."

Pulaski responded immediately as Cougars senior tailback Trey Smith raced 61 yards around right end on the next play from scrimmage. Smith, who picked up 151 yards on just 10 carries, scored again in the final period on a 36-yard burst.

The Spartans relied on their powerful running game to build up a three-touchdown lead in the second half. Daniel Dyer carried the ball eight times on a 10-play scoring drive to open the third period. Dyer finished the game with 28 rushes for 202 yards, ripping off gains of 32 and 47 yards, and consistently picking up six or eight at a crack.

Spartan receiver Stephen Barnette, who entered the game averaging 21.5 yards per catch, was just about on pace with three grabs for 59 yards.

"I have so much respect for this district that to win it and go through the season [unbeaten] is quite an accomplishment," Magenbauer said.

Pulaski County 7 7 0 6 -- 20

Salem 7 12 9 8 -- 36

S Medley 12 fumble return (Shelton kick)

PC Smith 61 run (Thomas kick)

S Collie 3 run (kick failed)

S Dyer 10 pass from McGarrell (run failed)

PC Watson 1 run (Thomas kick)

S Dyer 32 run (kick failed)

S FG Shelton 20

S Daniels 1 run (Houchin pass from Toliver)

PC Smith 36 run (run failed)

PC S

First downs 12 21

Yards rushing 32-185 49-282

Passes C-A-I 6-15-1 7-12-0

Yards passing 98 90

Penalties-yards 3-35 2-12

Fumbles-lost 1-1 0-0

Punts-average 4-33.0 2-26.0

Individual statistics

RUSHING Pulaski County, Smith 10-151, Thompson 8-20, Ramell Cobbs 7-16, Randall Cobbs, 1-1, Watson 6-(-3). Salem, Dyer 28-202, Collie 6-31, Fisher 2-6, Daniels 11-49, McGarrell 2-(-6).

PASSING Pulaski County, Watson 6-15-1 98. Salem, McGarrell 7-12-0 90.

RECEIVING Pulaski County, Akers 3-77, Smith 2-17, Thompson 1-4. Salem, S. Barnette 3-59, Toliver 2-14, Dyer 1-10, Collie 1-7.