Salmen’s Spartans host the Pearl River Rebels in a big District 9-4A at 7 tonight that could go a long way in determining the district champion.

Pearl River (7-0) and Salmen (5-2) both enter tonight’s action with 3-0 district records.

The Rebels are coming off a 28-17 win over Holy Cross Saturday. It was the most points Pearl River has allowed in one game this season. The Rebels have had a pair of shutouts this year and have bettered their foes, 251-66.

Salmen'€™s Isiah Tate (18) receives congratulations from a teammate after catching a touchdown pass in last Friday'€™s game against East Jefferson. (File Photo by James Elorriaga)

Pearl River coach Joe Harris said Salmen presents a tough challenge for his club.

“They’re probably the best team we’ve played this season,” Harris said. “They are very athletic.”

Salmen enters tonight’s action riding a four-game win streak after blanking East Jefferson, 28-0. The Spartans’ last loss was a 25-20 defeat to Independence on Sept. 26. Since then, Salmen has outscored its opponents, 131-43.

Last season’s meeting went to the Spartans, 42-19.

Pearl River runs the Wing-T offense and is led by junior running back James Gillum. Last week, Gillum torched the Holy Cross defense for 261 yards on 24 carries with three touchdowns. His scoring runs came from 58, 24 and 69 yards.

The other two running backs are Will Reed and Jeremiah Levy. Last week, Reed also had a big game with 14 carries for 137 yards and an 18-yard scoring run.

The quarterback is senior Matt Smith. Against Holy Cross, he completed two passes for 38 yards in an offense not known for throwing the football. When he does look to throw, his main weapon is Jacob Maxwell, who had one reception for 27 yards on Saturday.

They will be facing a defense that bases out of the 3-3 and has been stout. The Spartans have given up just 15 points in the last two wins.

Offensively, Salmen runs the spread. In last week’s game, Daniel Sams accounted for two touchdowns, one throwing and one rushing. In the second quarter against East Jefferson, Sams helped break open a scoreless game with a touchdown pass to Isiah Tate. His TD run came in the third period from 1 yard out to give Salmen a 14-0 lead.

Defensively, Pearl River runs an odd stack. In last week’s contest, the unit forced one turnover on a diving interception by Craig Domingue, which led to Gillum’s final touchdown.

The defense also came up with a big goal-line stand, holding Holy Cross out of the end zone on fourth-and-goal from the 1. At the time, PRHS had a 21-10 advantage.

The defense also forced Holy Cross to settle for a field goal after a bad snap on a punt gave the Tigers the ball at PRHS’ 14-yard line.