• Salem High School
• Football
• Homecoming

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By: Josh Lewis, Reporter

Salem had their homecoming festivities on Friday night, but the action on the field wasn’t nearly as festive. The Brownstown Braves came to town and brought with them  a 54-12 loss that they handed the Lions. 

The Braves moved the ball with ease, amassing almost 500 yards of total offense. Brownstown only took a few plays to get on the board with a 37 yard touchdown run to make it a quick 7-0 lead. 

Salem put together a nice drive with a big pass play to Braxton Dean to get into Braves territory. But the drive ended with a turnover on down at the 33 yard line. The Brave put together two more quick scoring drives thanks to some big plays on the ground to make it 21-0 with 2:26 left in the opening quarter. 

In the second quarter the Lions got their offense going again thanks to a turnover. The Braves tried some trickery and instead fumbled the ball at their own 23 yard line. But Salem had to overcome some adversity. Facing a fourth and 22 at the 37, the Lions were aided by a pass interference penalty to make the fourth down attempt easier. Adam Mull found Dean on a screen over the middle to get down to the nine yard line. 

A few plays later they had to overcome yet another fourth down attempt at the eight yard line. But yet another pass interference penalty gave them a fourth and goal at the four. From there Mull found Seth Ponsford in the endzone for the score to make it 21-6 with 6:13 left in the half. 

To close the half though the Braves put up three straight scoring drives including one with under a minute left to make it a 42-6 lead heading into the locker room.

Adam Mull looks for a receiver down field.

Salem put together one more scoring drive early in the third quarter when Mull found Dean deep for a 30 yard connection, but that was all the offense could muster for the night and they dropped to 1-3 on the season. 

Salem will travel to Springs Valley on Friday to try and snap their three game skid.

• Pekin Eastern High School
• Football
• Homecoming

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Congratulations to the following students for being nominated to the 2024-2025 Football Homecoming Court!

Pictured from left to right are:

Aubrey Mollet, Liam Moore, Bailey Smith, Brayden Sosnicki, Abby Fowler, Brody Temple, Bracie Jackson, Garret Drury, Riley Brown, Gunner Drury, Allie Arvin, and Kaleb Bongibault. 

Homecoming will take place on Friday, September 20th at 1100 N Eastern School Rd, New Pekin.

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By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

Salem Speedway Fueled by the Hoosier Lottery will present “Fall Brawl” on Saturday, Sept. 21. All winners will receive trophies and boxing gloves to keep with the theme.

“Are you ready to rumble?” a speedway spokesman asks.

There will be six action-packed features. GAS street stock cars will challenge the high banks for 75 circuits. Ford Crown Vics will be scheduled for 50 laps on the high banks. Going for a fast 25 laps will be the Salem Super Cars.
The small track will feature the Legends, Ford Crown Vics and the Scrapper Fun Class. These guys will go for 25 laps each race.

For something different, each race will consider time limit vs. laps on whichever one come first. Each race has a limit of one minute per lap.

Spectator gates open at 2 p.m., with the first race beginning at 6 p.m.

A special event for the evening includes the "A Night At The Salem Speedway" fundraising event by CAST, featuring dinner and racing at the historic track. CAST is a 501c3 non-profit organization that offers tutoring to county students who are dealing with dyslexia.

According to Cassie Corp, CAST director, “Dyslexia is a specific learning disability related to reading. Studies show up to 20% of the population in the United States is affected at some level with dyslexia. Children who are unable to read by the third grade are more likely to drop out of school.”

“Help our students achieve their full potential by supporting this effort,” she added.

Tickets for the CAST dinner and VIP treatment are $50 for adults. Kids 12 and under are free with the purchase of an adult ticket.

Please email Cassie Corp at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 812-620-7907 to RSVP for tickets to the event.

Return to the high banks at Salem Speedway this Saturday evening for roaring action.

Salem Speedway is located at 2729 Hwy. 56 West, Salem.