To Salem where the homestanding Spartans were in a battle with Hidden Valley on the field, but also in the playoff hunt. Both the Titans and Spartans were eyeing the number 3 seed in Region Four, Division Four. A slugfest throughout this one as weather and good defense made points at a premium.
It wasn't until the fourth quarter that the Salem offense found a spark plug. In a 3-3 game, QB Matt Hill lets the deep ball go from near midfield, and he finds his receiver Mic Edwards on the near sideline for 32 yards to the Titan 21.
On the next play, former Player of the Week Marty Bishop gets the handoff and barrels his way to the one yard line - Bishop would plow his way in on the next play for the go ahead score.
On the ensuing drive, Hidden Valley looked for the equalizer. On second down from his own 32, Mason Dermit breaks his way through the line, finds daylight and the freshman uses some great moves to get well into Salem territory for a gain of 33 yards.
A few plays later, the Titans were faced with a huge fourth and long, when QB Michael Semonic tries to find a man in the flat but Devin Wygall knocks the ball away on the big hit to force a turnover on downs.
Hidden Valley would get one last chance with six seconds left on the Salem 40. Semonic heaves it up to the goal line in a desperation heave, but Mic Edwards is there yet again to make the big play - this one to preserve a big Salem win 10-3 over Hidden Valley.
The Salem win, combined with the Christiansburg loss puts the River Ridge in a three way tie headed into the final week of the regular season.
