By Chris Parker
Salem enters the second season of the Neal Myers era with 15 total starters (seven offense, eight defense) returning.
That experience will look to improve on last season’s 1-9 record.
“(We are) very optimistic about the upcoming season,” Myers said. “Players have a full year under their belt and the excitement has fallen over into the off-season workouts. The players are more excited than we have seen them and ready to get after it.”
The returning senior class includes Tobey Gover (RB/DL), Reuben Hovey (RB/LB), Ray Cunningham (RB/DB), Layton Mink (OL/DL), Jaren Griffith (OL/DL), Grant Case (OL/DL), Evan Mendenhall (RB/DB), Domonic Berry (OL/DL) and Dalton Emory (OL/DL).
Gover was named Honorable Mention All-SCA on the offensive line last season.
The returning junior class is large and includes Jayden Ard (OL/DL), James Lewis (RB/DB), Ira Barton (RB/LB), Hayden Ragsdale (QB/LB), Gavin Sapaugh (TE/LB), Everett Campbell (TE/LB) Charlie Terrill (OL/DL), Cason Malone (RB/LB), Carter Degon (OL/DL), Canyon Warden (OL/DL), Austin Cunningham (OL/DL) and Atticus Givens (RB/DB). Sophomore Sylis DuBois (RB/DB) rounds out the returning players.
Campbell earned Second-Team All-SCA honors at linebacker. Both Sapaugh and Degon were honorable mention all-conference linebackers.
Newcomers to watch include senior Caden Moody (RB/DB), juniors James Heithold (OL/DL) and Logan Fleener (OL/DL) along with sophomore Andrew Harris (RB).
“Our offense has several weapons returning that will be strengths for us this year. At fullback we return Tobey Gover and at the tight end positions we have Everett Campbell and Gavin Sapaugh returning. In the backfield we have Reuben Hovey coming back from season ending knee injury in the jamboree last year as well,” Myers said. “Defensively, we gave up a lot of points last year but they were also on the field a lot. Many of those players from last year return this year and bring a lot back with them. Our outside linebackers of Everett Campbell and Gavin Sapaugh should start to see some very good snaps because of how much playing time they received as sophomores last year. Our defensive line that started last year or saw significant playing time all return also. Tobey Gover, Carter Degon, Layton Mink, Dominic Berry and Austin Cunningham will all make large impacts on the defensive front for us.”
Salem will travel to Sullivan on Aug. 23 for a jamboree with Lutheran North, Cuba and Sullivan. The Tigers open the regular season on Aug. 30 at St. James.
