ROANOKE (WSLS 10)- It's another season, and another deep playoff run for the perennial power Spartans of Salem High School. Last year's 4A state runner-ups are on a mission to get another title shot. Coach Stephen Magenbauer's team crushed Amherst 35-7 in Round two of the VHSL playoffs to advance to the state quarterfinal round. Salem stands a perfect 11-0, and Saturday they'll travel to Loudoun county to take on an undefeated John Champe team.(11-0) Salem ran the table last year going undefeated all the way to the VHSL 4A finals--before falling to Lake Taylor. That outcome is serving as motivation even now.
"You know last year they-- you know-- they had a good run. Certainly I know they feel that a little bit. That might add some drive in the off-season so we'll see how it plays out," explains Head Coach Stephen Magenbauer.
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Braxton Wall, Salem's dominating lineman, was even more direct. "It's been on our mind since that game at least it's been that way for me whole off-season. that's how I've been focusing myself, you know, working hard with that incentive in my head you know so we can go back there- be back there this year. That's our goal and to take the next step and actually win so."