SALEM (WSLS 10) - One of last year's three state finalists, the Spartans of Salem, are gearing up for their opener next Friday at Amherst County.
The perennial power Spartans of Coach Stephen Magenbauer are coming off a near perfect season - 14 straight wins derailed in the state 4A title game by a talented Lake Taylor squad.
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But the Spartans don't rebuild - they reload. They do have a lot of that to do, as 21 seniors graduated. Making this year's senior class well aware of the work ahead.
Coach Magenbauer explained, "I think they feel like they, um, they left a good blueprint on how things should be done and they're falling right in. And we're proud of their efforts so far, for sure.... I think it is the fact that we lost so many from last year and they know it's sort of their go-around at it. And just prove that they can get it done."
"It makes me hungry and makes me work harder than I did last year, and focus on getting better. It's not one person game. It's not just a 10 person game. It's all 11 people on the field. Everybody got to the job, that's what makes us a great team, every single day. You can't take anybody lightly," Running back Donte Clayborne said.
Salem opens at Amherst County Friday, August 28.