By: Josh Lewis, Reporter

It’s not often that a 41-8 game feels closer than the score indicated, but that was the case for the Lions on Friday night. The short handed Lions were missing several starters including their signal caller in Adam Mull, but they still moved the ball well at times throughout the game. However, some turnovers proved too much to overcome to keep up with Silver Creek in the 41-8 loss.

Salem Head Coach Brian Glesing said his team played hard but just can’t turn the ball over that many times. “They scored a couple times late on our subs. But it was 21-8 at the half. We didn’t punt the whole game. Offensively we did some good things. We just have to sure up some things. Our pass protection was awful. That has to be fixed. We have to take care of the ball better too. You can't be a great team when you’re turning the ball over like that. We fought. We had a lot of guys out, but we had some guys step up and play. That’s what football is all about. You never know when it’s your turn to play. I thought we did ok. We would like the score to be different, but our attitude, character, and effort were pretty good.”

Salem started out well on defense. Braxton Dean got a sack to stall out the Dragons first drive, but Salem turned the ball over with an interception in the redzone. Silver Creek wasted little time driving down the field and punching in a four yard touchdown run to make it a 7-0 Dragon lead with 5:42 left in the first. 

The Lions mounted a drive of their own with big runs from Noah Deaton and Logan Dent to get down to the one. Ethan Campbell scored on the quarterback sneak, and Dent ran around the end for the two point try to put Salem in front 8-7 with 2:43 to go in the opening period. 

Silver Creek scored on their next possession with a 23 yard run on the first play of the second quarter. Salem again put together a promising drive, converting a fourth down close to midfield, but a fumble at the 16 ended their drive. The Dragons put another score on the board with 6:30 left in the half. 

On their next drive Salem again turned the ball over at midfield with an incomplete pass on fourth and two. Silver Creek again went to work and ripped off a big run that would have scored, but a fumble through the back of the endzone resulted in a touchback giving the ball back to Salem. The Lions then elected to let the clock run out after a couple of runs and go into the half. 

Things continued to go down hill for Salem in the second half. They got into Dragon territory but a sack at the 41 on fourth down ended their drive. Silver Creek scored on their next two possessions while Salem turned the ball over in Dragon territory again. 

With the game well in hand, the Dragons seemed unsure of their victory, leaving the starters in for a few more drives while the Lions put in mass subs. A long throw resulted in another Silver Creek score late in the fourth against the Lions second team to put the finishing touches on the win.

Braxton Dean brings down the Dragon's QB.

Dent led the Lions with 179 yards on the ground. Glesing said he ran really well. “I don’t know what he ended up with as far as how many yards, but he took care of the ball. He pounded it up in there. He had a lot of carries on a hot night. We had a lot of young guys playing tonight on the lines and secondary. We will get better.”

The Lions played a number of underclassmen in the effort, and Glesing said they did a good job. “Nobody complained. Our attitudes were great. They fought through it. We knew it would be a tough game even if we were at full strength. But nobody complained. For our guys to come in and fight, that’s a big deal for our program. This time last year it would have been ugly with our attitudes, but it wasn’t tonight.”

Salem will travel to Scottsburg next week.