SALEM, Va. – It's a familiar name in Salem's playoff history-Sherando. Back in 2013 Salem fell 7-0 to this team in the state semifinals. But the seniors on this year's team were in eighth grade when that game took place.
The 2017 team has reeled off eight straight wins after dropping decisions to Dinwiddie and Blacksburg. The Spartans are two wins from a state title three-peat.
Coach Stephen Magenbauer's gang is playing at the playoff level we've come to expect from his perennial power. Magenbauer says the experience his team is carrying after back to back titles is paying dividends in 2017.
"Well they've got a lot of experience, you know-? They been in these situations a lot so hopefully when some bad things happen they know to just keep playing. That's all you can do is just to let it go and keep playing. Most of the time that will give you a lot better chance to be successful," Magenbauer says.
"We know what it means to have Salem across our chests. We always have a target on her back each week. So knowing that we know what we have to do--it shows a lot about us, our character," receiver Viante Tucker said.
"It's just playing with attitude. Being disciplined about everything. You've got a job to do and all your teammates are counting on you so you just got to play and do what you're supposed to do," lineman Thomas Mundy said.
The Spartans are 11-2 and Sherando is 11-2. It's a 2 p.m. kick-off Saturday from Salem stadium.