After a statement win last year, FCHS falls to Salem in rout
Whether it was Jordan McCadden’s 70-yard touchdown run, Jayden Wood’s one-handed grab in the end zone or Nicholas Baxley’s kickoff return score, highlights were abundant Friday night as the Salem High School football team made another statement.
Turning the tides on last year’s disappointing campaign, the Spartans are 2-0 for the first time since 2021 after dismantling Franklin County 65-17 at Cy Dillon Stadium. They’ve so far beaten both opponents who got the best of them a season ago.
“Whether it was the press or anybody else (saying) old Salem ain’t what they used to be, well we’re tired of hearing that,” head coach Don Holter said. “We’re saying Salem’s always been Salem, and we’re going to continue to do that. We’re going to come out and practice hard, we’re going to coach them hard and we’re going to strive to get better each and every week.”
Salem defensive back Jayden Wood returns an interception during Friday's game against Franklin County in Rocky Mount.
Salem (2-0) started 0-4 last year en route to a 5-5 campaign that included missing the playoffs for the first time since 2003. Its first two losses came against E.C. Glass, 27-21, and Franklin County, 31-21.
The Spartans bit back with a 35-17 victory over the Hilltoppers in Week 1, then rolled over the Eagles (0-2) by scoring touchdowns on their final eight drives. They’ve now won half a dozen games in a row.
“We’ve been working so hard. We’ve been zoning out all the outside talk,” star running back McCadden said. “We know we’ve got to get a job done every Friday. We’re going to practice all week long, hard and physical, and get ready to dominate Friday nights, and that’s what we’ve been doing.”
Salem's Jordan McCadden, left, carries the ball during Friday's game against Franklin County in Rocky Mount.
McCadden, who was coming off a 400-yard, five-touchdown performance in Salem’s season-opener, recorded another prolific performance on the ground. The senior collected 225 yards on 12 carries and scored two touchdowns, both in the first half, as the Spartans built a 35-10 lead.
“We’re just all coming together as a team,” he said. “We realized what we needed to do, all of our jobs, and we’ve been doing that every Friday night. We’re coming together and just playing for all of us. Playing for Salem.”
Friday night’s tilt also gave the Spartans an opportunity to doll out their passing game. Senior quarterback Tanner Overstreet threw three touchdown passes and finished 6-of-11 for 136 yards with zero interceptions.
Franklin County quarterback Reid McElvain tries to dodge Salem's Joseph Henderson during Friday's game in Rocky Mount.
Jaidyn Rudisell hauled in the first one, a remarkable 14-yard one-handed catch in one-on-one coverage, while JiZaiah Johnson grabbed one for a 23-yard strike and McCadden another another on a 43-yard catch-and-run slice-and-dice through the defense in the first half’s final minute.
“The first thing I’m impressed with is the pass protection,” Holter said. “Those old mules in there give (Overstreet) an opportunity to let his light shine a little bit. He threw the ball really well tonight, so we’re pleased to get that aspect of our offense going.”
Jamalachi Law, Gabriel Johnson and Jayden Wood also punched in rushing scores for Salem. Wood also picked off Franklin County quarterback Reid McElvain, who went 6-of-14 for 110 yards and threw a touchdown pass to John Richardson.
Salem's Jaidyn Rudisell (5) makes a tackle during Friday's game against Franklin County in Rocky Mount.
Baxley’s kickoff return touchdown came after the Spartans picked up two extra points on a snap for an Eagles punt that sailed out of its own end zone in the final five minutes of the game. Kicker Liam Munoz went 9-for-9 on PATs.
“I love seeing my boys score,” McCadden said. “Everybody was looking at me last week, but it’s a team game and all my boys are helping me and I love seeing my boys score touchdowns. They’re working hard all week, and now they get to score touchdowns.”
Salem's Liam Munoz watches his PAT sail through the uprights during Friday's game against Franklin County in Rocky Mount. Munoz went 9-for-9 on PATs.
The Spartans will take their 2-0 record into Salem Stadium next week for a home opener against William Fleming. The Colonels (1-1) have won their last two meetings.
“We kind of went into this game knowing that we were going to dominate, and that’s what we did,” McCadden said. “We hope to put up these numbers next week.”
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Jaidyn Rudisell makes a one-handed catch to score a touchdown for Salem in its win over Franklin County on Friday in Rocky Mount.
