Salmen tops Bossier with '€˜total team effort'€™

If not for a high snap and resulting safety, Salmen would have opened the 2008 prep football playoffs the same way it ended the regular season — with a shutout victory.

Instead, the Spartans settled for a 34-2 rout of the Bossier Bearkats from north Louisiana Friday night at Spartan Stadium.

“They are a big, athletic, fast team, and they had a good game plan that prevented us from using some of our schemes on offense,” said Bossier coach Mike Concilio, crediting Salmen’s play.

Bossier began the contest trying to catch Salmen off guard by trying an onside kick, which Salmen recovered near midfield.

After a three and out for the Spartans on their initial offensive series, Bossier had its chance with the ball and failed to get a first. On fourth and short the Bearkats punted the ball, which Spartans’ linebacker Cedric Wilkes tipped, giving Salmen the ball at the Bearkats’ 43.

Six plays later quarterback Daniel Sams rushed in from a yard out. Victor Arroyo booted the PAT, and Salmen led 7-0 with four minutes to go in the first quarter.

On Bossier’s next possession Dedrick Parson pressured Bossier quarterback Tevin Hall and forced an interception by teammate Curtis Owens, who returned the pick 12 yards for six. Arroyo’s extra-point kick gave the Spartans a 14-0 lead.

At the start of the second period the high snap and safety occurred as Arroyo got back to punt and wisely kicked the ball through the end zone to allow a safety while not surrendering a touchdown. Bossier closed the gap to14-2, but this would be the only time the Bearkats would taste any success on the night.

The high snaps, however, were not over as the Spartans had trouble with the exchange several more times in the game.

After Bossier went three and out and punted the pigskin back to Salmen, a Bearkat defender interfered with the Spartans’ punt receiver, drawing a flag while causing the ball to bounce into the arms of quarterback/linebacker Matt Lipham, who rambled 65 yards down to the Bossier 15 with the return.

From there Jeremiah Robinson carried it to the 5, then Sams added his second six of the game. With over seven minutes to play in the first half, Salmen led 21-2.

Despite the score at the half Salmen had out gained Bossier just 62 yards to 42 yards.

The third quarter was scoreless for both teams, but Salmen did move into field goal range by the end of the quarter.

Arroyo attempted a 36-yard field goal to begin the final quarter, which was short and wide left. But on the very next play when Bossier took over on offense at its own 19, Parson picked off Hall and dashed 17 yards to pay dirt to extend the lead to 27-2 for the homestanding Spartans.

Salmen ended the scoring at the midway point of the final period when Errol Scott scooted around right end for 23 yards, and with Chris Gulino’s PAT the score was 34-2.

In the waning seconds of the game Hall threw his third interception, this time getting picked by Jordan Stevenson to end the contest.

“Tonight was a total team effort. We played well in spots offensively, and our defense really got after it,” said Salmen coach Jerry Leonard.

“Matt really made a heady play on that punt return, and that is what he brings to the game. He is always got his head in the game,” the coach added.

Salmen is now 8-2, while Bossier finished at 5-6.

Salmen will travel to the Westbank next week to take on O. Perry Walker in the regional round of the playoffs. The Chargers upset District 9-4A runner-up Franklinton, 21-18, to advance.