Salisbury at West Davidson

Published 12:00 am Friday, October 10, 2008

* Time: 7:30 p.m.
* Records: Salisbury 6-0, 2-0 CCC; West Davidson 4-2, 2-0 CCC
* Series: Salisbury leads 4-3
* Last meeting: West Davidson spoiled homecoming with a 28-26 victory at Ludwig Stadium in 2007
* Last week: Salisbury crushed East Davidson 49-7; West Davidson beat North Rowan 16-6
* Next week: Salisbury is home against Lexington; West Davidson is home against Ledford
* Game notes: At 6-0, Salisbury is off to the schoolís best start since coach Conrad Greenís awesome 1995 team averaged 39 points a game while allowing 5.5.
The current Hornets average 39 points a game while allowing 11.0.
Give coordinator Ryan Crowder credit for a young defensive unit thatís come along very quickly.
The Hornets donít have one go-to guy on offense, but theyíve gotten mileage from the whole backfield. School all-time rushing leader Dario Hamilton has carried for 520 yards. Halfback A.J. Ford (453 yards), fullback Ike Whitaker (322) and quarterback John Knox (230 rushing, 374 passing) also are very talented.
The O-line was supposed to be a question mark, but a unit coached by Steve Swayney is getting it done.
Romar Morris adds a big-play threat as a receiver and return man.
Having said all that, West Davidson has had an answer for the Hornets three straight years, starting with an overtime win in Tyro in 2005.
Salisbury has lost only seven CCC games the last five-plus seasons under coach Joe Pinyan, but three were to the feisty Green Dragons.
West Davidson has been physical, has won battles in the trenches and has been able to negate Salisburyís speed by controlling the ball.
The Dragons have good athletes in Patrick Phelps, Alex Grubb, Jon Jarvis and James McCandies.