Coach Joe Pinyan’s 127-game tenure at Salisbury has included an array of impressive rushing numbers.
If 200 yards is the benchmark for an exceptional rushing night, the Hornets have put together 78 such nights in Pinyan’s 10 seasons.
Even more impressive than all those 200s, the Hornets have topped 300 yards 43 times, have exceeded 400 yards 17 times and have even eclipsed the 500 mark twice.
The peak for the Hornets came in the 2011 playoff game with Carver. Salisbury rang up 533 yards, with Max Allen leading the charge with a school record and Rowan County playoff game record of 294.
Salisbury’s other journey past 500 yards in the Pinyan era was a 504-yard effort against Central Davidson in 2007 that included 100-yard nights by Dario Hamilton, Ibn Ali and Robbie Pulliam.
Pinyan’s teams are 92-35. Four of those losses were forfeits in 2008 of games in which the Hornets romped on the field. As far as the other 31 losses, the Hornets were held under 200 rushing yards in 21 of them, so that’s an obvious defensive goal if you’re serious about beating Salisbury.
West Rowan has done the best job of handling Salisbury, and it’s been because the Falcons have been able to at least contain Salisbury’s running attack. At times, they’ve actually stopped it.
Salisbury’s teams during the Pinyan era have never featured any one back. It’s always been a time share, with 18 different Hornets accounting for at least one 100-yard outing.
Ed Kerr, Theo Allen and Tyris Davidson started the 100-yard ball rolling in 2003, and now it continues with Brian Bauk, Max Allen and Justin Ruffin.
New fullback Keion Adams figures to be Pinyan’s 19th 100-yard guy in the near future. He had two carries for 69 yards last week.
Salisbury’s most powerful running assault under Pinyan was unleashed in 2011, with 10 games over 300 rushing yards and four over 400. Five different Hornets accounted for 100-yard games, with Dominique Dismuke and Dejoun Jones joining Bauk, Ruffin and Max Allen.
A new wave of staggering Salisbury numbers is probably upon us now. After starting slowly – West held the Hornets to 123 yards – the Hornets are starting to click. They’ve called the dogs off and still rushed for 435 and 431 yards the past two weeks.
The picks were 6-0 last week, but it was an easy week. Tonight’s winners also appear to be clear-cut, although there’s a chance it’ll get interesting in Granite Quarry.
South sometimes has its hands full with North Iredell, but it has always prevailed.
Salisbury 49, West Davidson 14
Pencil in the Hornets for another 400 rushing yards.
West Rowan 21, East Rowan 7
West’s defense should make it 45 straight county wins and 13 straight against the Mustangs.
South Rowan 26, North Iredell 14
It might be ugly, but South will take wins any way it can get them.
Statesville 48, Carson 21
Hard to see the Cougars getting many stops.
North Rowan 56, North Moore 6
North Moore has been outscored 234-32, and it’s not going to get any better tonight.
Davie 24, R.J. Reynolds 7
War Eagles have rolled since a tough loss to West Rowan.
A.L. Brown 35, Cox Mill 14
Wonders make it 17 straight SPC wins.