Lynn Burke
09-14-2007, 09:08 PM
Salem's Whaley breaks records
Running back sets points mark in victory over Bayside
By JEFF CUNNINGHAM | jcunningham@hrvarsity.com
VIRGINIA BEACH -- Brandon Staton had the better rushing numbers, but Kevin Whaley broke two records.
Two records that led to Salem's 19-12 win over Bayside Friday night at Sun Devil Stadium.
Whaley first broke the Beach District scoring record with a 29-yard touchdown run with 7:20 left in the first quarter. Landstown graduate Percy Harvin, now at the University of Florida, held the old record.
The Salem senior then became the all-time South Hampton Roads rushing record in the fourth quarter with a 7-yard gain up the middle.
Phoebus' Elan Lewis holds the Eastern Region record with 7,156 yards.
"It makes me feel real good," Whaley, who also credited his teammates, fans and family, said.
Whaley finished with 19 carries for 101 yards and a rushing touchdown. He also ran a kickoff 82 yards in the second quarter for a score to give Salem a 13-6 lead.
But the senior nearly cost Salem (4-0) the win. With Salem up 19-12 with 5:19 left in the game, Whaley took a hand-off from quarterback Brian Robinson and ran up the middle. Several defenders met him at the line of scrimmage, and Whaley fumbled the ball.
Lamar Jordan picked up the loose ball for Bayside (1-2), returning it 44 yards to put Bayside in prime position to tie the game.
But quarterback E.J. Manuel, who has committed to Florida State, couldn't get his team into the endzone, throwing two straight incompletions to give the ball back to the Sun Devils.
"Honestly, I don't even know what was wrong," said Manuel, who threw six straight incompletions to start the game. "I'm used to making a lot more plays than this."
Manuel finished with a 6-for-17 passing effort, good enough for 72 yards and a 37-yard touchdown pass to Marquel Thomas in the second quarter.
Staton was the star for Bayside offensively, rushing 18 times for 143 yards.
Bayside faced a fourth-and-1 with 7:51 to play at the 49-yard line, electing to punt instead of going for the first down. Despite Salem's propensity for clock control with the running game, Bayside coach Darnell Moore thought his defense could stop the Sun Devils.
"Salem hadn't actually turned the ball over yet," he said. "They usually turn it over once or twice a game, so we thought we could get a stop or a turnover."
The Marlins did get that turnover in the form of Whaley's fumble, but couldn't convert.
"I'm not surprised at all," Salem coach Robert Jackson said of Bayside punting. "They were making good plays on defense and we weren't making any plays on offense.
"I thought it was sound strategy."
SALEM 19, BAYSIDE 12
Bayside 0 12 0 0 - 12
Salem 7 12 0 0 - 19
Sal -- Whaley 29 run (LaCroix kick)
Bay -- Thomas 37 pass from Manuel (run failed)
Sal -- Whaley 82 kickoff return (kick blocked)
Bay -- Manuel 1 run (run failed)
Sal -- Webb 47 interception return (kick blocked)
Bay Sal
First downs 14 8
Rushes-yards 38-180 31-166
Passing yards 72 19
Comp-Att-Int 6-17-1 1-9-0
Penalties-yards 5-21 8-60
Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-1
Punts-avg. 4-27 4-38.25
Running back sets points mark in victory over Bayside
By JEFF CUNNINGHAM | jcunningham@hrvarsity.com
VIRGINIA BEACH -- Brandon Staton had the better rushing numbers, but Kevin Whaley broke two records.
Two records that led to Salem's 19-12 win over Bayside Friday night at Sun Devil Stadium.
Whaley first broke the Beach District scoring record with a 29-yard touchdown run with 7:20 left in the first quarter. Landstown graduate Percy Harvin, now at the University of Florida, held the old record.
The Salem senior then became the all-time South Hampton Roads rushing record in the fourth quarter with a 7-yard gain up the middle.
Phoebus' Elan Lewis holds the Eastern Region record with 7,156 yards.
"It makes me feel real good," Whaley, who also credited his teammates, fans and family, said.
Whaley finished with 19 carries for 101 yards and a rushing touchdown. He also ran a kickoff 82 yards in the second quarter for a score to give Salem a 13-6 lead.
But the senior nearly cost Salem (4-0) the win. With Salem up 19-12 with 5:19 left in the game, Whaley took a hand-off from quarterback Brian Robinson and ran up the middle. Several defenders met him at the line of scrimmage, and Whaley fumbled the ball.
Lamar Jordan picked up the loose ball for Bayside (1-2), returning it 44 yards to put Bayside in prime position to tie the game.
But quarterback E.J. Manuel, who has committed to Florida State, couldn't get his team into the endzone, throwing two straight incompletions to give the ball back to the Sun Devils.
"Honestly, I don't even know what was wrong," said Manuel, who threw six straight incompletions to start the game. "I'm used to making a lot more plays than this."
Manuel finished with a 6-for-17 passing effort, good enough for 72 yards and a 37-yard touchdown pass to Marquel Thomas in the second quarter.
Staton was the star for Bayside offensively, rushing 18 times for 143 yards.
Bayside faced a fourth-and-1 with 7:51 to play at the 49-yard line, electing to punt instead of going for the first down. Despite Salem's propensity for clock control with the running game, Bayside coach Darnell Moore thought his defense could stop the Sun Devils.
"Salem hadn't actually turned the ball over yet," he said. "They usually turn it over once or twice a game, so we thought we could get a stop or a turnover."
The Marlins did get that turnover in the form of Whaley's fumble, but couldn't convert.
"I'm not surprised at all," Salem coach Robert Jackson said of Bayside punting. "They were making good plays on defense and we weren't making any plays on offense.
"I thought it was sound strategy."
SALEM 19, BAYSIDE 12
Bayside 0 12 0 0 - 12
Salem 7 12 0 0 - 19
Sal -- Whaley 29 run (LaCroix kick)
Bay -- Thomas 37 pass from Manuel (run failed)
Sal -- Whaley 82 kickoff return (kick blocked)
Bay -- Manuel 1 run (run failed)
Sal -- Webb 47 interception return (kick blocked)
Bay Sal
First downs 14 8
Rushes-yards 38-180 31-166
Passing yards 72 19
Comp-Att-Int 6-17-1 1-9-0
Penalties-yards 5-21 8-60
Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-1
Punts-avg. 4-27 4-38.25