4th Down Woes Result in 1 Point Loss for Salem
Oct. 4th, 2026
It was a hard fought game throughout the night, but while Salem was able to make big plays to put points on the board, their inability to convert 4th down and short and then holding Willow Springs on a 4th down, ended up sealing their fate. Willow Springs was able to run out the clock and secure a 28-27 win.
Battle of 1-4 Teams
Salem hit the road looking to stop its 3 game losing streak against the Willow Springs Bears who were also sitting at 1-4. The Bears lone win came against Cabool in week 3.
It was a fight from the opening kick-off for both teams, eager to get another win. Willow Springs struck first with Salem quick to answer, having the two teams tied at the end of the 1st quarter.
Coach Neal Myers was pleased with the effort his team brought to the game on Friday night. “Our effort was on top of it the whole time. Our boys never stopped, they stuck with it.”
Offensive Explosion
The offense for both teams picked up in the 2nd quarter. It started with a 32 yard pass play by the Bears 3 minutes into the 2nd quarter. With the extra point being good, Willow Springs jumped on top 14-7.
Coach Myers and the Salem Tigers offense didn’t take long to respond. One minute later, Sr. Brody Ray takes the ball up the middle, steps through some tackles and races to the endzone for a 51 yard touchdown.The extra point was blocked, so Salem trailed, 13-14.
Willow Springs' answer was swift and immediate as they returned the kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown. Willow Springs pushed their lead to 8, 21-13.
This time there was no electric response by the Salem Tigers. Instead it was measured, methodical, and controlled as they responded with a 7 minute drive to close out the half on a Sylas Dubois 2 yard touchdown.
Trailing by two, the Tigers elected to go for the two point conversion and successfully tied the ball game going into halftime.
Second Half
The second half start for the Salem Tigers was filled with challenges as several penalties pushed the Tigers back deep in their side of the field, forcing a punt.
Willow Springs took advantage of the short field and put it in the endzone to take a 28-21 lead.
The Tigers would once again find an answer, this time behind the strong running of sophomore Jake Gover, who took it to the house from 46 yards out. The two point conversion failed and the Tigers went into the final quarter trailing, 27-28.
4th Quarter - 4th Downs
The Salem defense was able to get the stop they needed in the 4th quarter and began their march to take the lead.
Facing 4th and inches at the Willow Springs 20 yard line, Salem trusted their running game that racked up over 300 yards for the game. But, alas, the defensive line of Willow Springs was able to get penetration, forcing the ball carrier to try and bounce to the outside and creating a turnover.
Willow Springs was able to control the ball for the rest of the quarter.
With under 6 minutes left in the game, the Tigers defense created new hope when they forced a 4th and long play at midfield.
Willow Springs chose to go for it instead of punting the ball away. The Bears quarterback dropped back to pass and the Tigers defense forced him out of the pocket. It looked like the Tigers had the stop they needed as he was chased to the sidelines and the Tigers defender delivered a big hit that looked to knock him out of bounds.
The quarterback was able to regain his balance, spin away from the sidelines and reverse direction and get the first down to keep the Willow Springs drive alive. Willow Springs was able to successfully run out the clock to secure the win.
Wrap Up
The Salem Tigers showed what they are capable of on Friday. Recording over 300 yards of rushing for the first time under Coach Myers tenure.
You saw the balance of your veteran players and the potential of the underclassment who have bought into the program. Coach Myers talked about sophomore Tripp Creek stepping up and having some great moments offensively.
“Tripp Creek did a great job. At one point it looked like he was carrying 12 of their guys,” joked Coach Myers.
Defensively, they made plays and made stops.
But there is still improvement. Making the big plays when needed - on both sides of the ball - is all that is left for this team to get over bump.
Inside the Huddle’s Blue Tiger Talk
We will catch up with Coach Myers on Inside the Huddle’s Blue Tiger Talk this week to recap the game and take a look at Friday’s contest versus the Mountain Grove Panthers.
Be on the lookout!
Up Next
JV Football will play at Willow Springs on Monday with a 6pm kick-off
Salem varsity hits the road next Friday the 9th, to take on Mountain Grove (4-2). Salem’s record against the Panthers is 4-19 since 2007 and they have lost the last 7 games.
Salem Mountain Grove
Pts/G 21.8 36.2
Pts Allowed/G 30.2 13.2
Common Opponents
Salem Mountain Grove
Ava Loss (13 - 34) Win (32 - 10)
Willow Springs Loss (27 - 28) Win (55 - 6)
Unofficial Stats
Stat Salem Willow Springs
First Downs 9 15
Yds Rushing 307 245
Yds Passing 0 42
Tot Yds 307 287
INT 0 0
Fumbles Lost 1 0
Penalties 5 for 50 5 for 27
Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | F | |
Salem(1-5) | 7 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 27 |
Willow Springs (2-4) | 7 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 28 |
Individual Stats
Rushing Yards
So. Jake Gover 11 for 115
Sr. Brody Ray 8 for 79
Sr. Sylis Dubois 10 for 47
Fr. Weston Tacket 8 for 34
So. Tripp Creek 7 for 32
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