Salem used a decade-long tactic to plow past the Houston Tigers on Friday night.
Running the ball on 58 of its 59 plays, Salem piled up 351 yards and cruised to a 34-14 victory against Houston.
Salem’s Andrew Kisser ran for 132 yards – highlighted by a 70-yard third-quarter touchdown run – to lead the running attack. Fullback Ty Floyd ran for 104 yards and three scores.
Houston got a rushing and passing touchdown from senior Justin Schmidt. The Tigers (1-6) had 196 yards of total offense.
Floyd had 5- and 3-yard touchdown runs in the first half to put Salem ahead 14-0 and added a 25-yard score just under three minutes into the third quarter.
The Houston offense sputtered until coach Chris Edwards lined up Schmidt at quarterback and sent Kyle Poynter to wideout on Houston’s first possession of the second half. Schmid connected with Poynter on jump ball passes of 22, 14 and 35 yards as the Tigers covered 65 yards in five plays for their first points.
One play after Poynter’s 35-yard touchdown reception, Kisser ran 70 yards untouched off left tackle to put Salem ahead 27-6.
Houston trailed 34-6 when Schmidt capped a long drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge with 2:24 left in the game.
Schmidt was 4-of-4 passing for 69 yards. Poynter completed 9 of his 21 passes for 72 yards and an interception. He also had three receptions for 65 yards.
Houston 0 0 6 8 – 14
Salem 7 7 13 7 – 34
First Quarter
SAL – Floyd 5 run (Presley kick), 4:27.
Second Quarter
SAL – Floyd 3 run (Presley kick), 0:34.
Third Quarter
SAL – Floyd 25 run (kick failed), 9:20.
HOU – Poynter 35 pass from Schmidt (kick failed), 7:08.
SAL – Kisser 70 run (Presley kick), 6:53.
Fourth Quarter
SAL – Kisser 1 run (Presley kick), 9:26.
HOU – Schmidt 1 run (Case pass from Poynter), 2:27.
INDIVIDUAL STATS
RUSHING – Salem, Kisser 14-132, Floyd 16-104, Freeman 12-70, Karr 8-30, Jesson 2-7, Presley 1-3, Rictor 2-2, Adams 1-2, Atkinson 2-1. Houston, Schmidt 12-28, Poynter 7-25, Kelley 1-5, Case 2-(minus 3).
PASSING – Salem, Kisser 0-1-0 0. Houston, Poynter 9-21-1 72, Schmidt 4-4-0 69.
RECEIVING – Houston, Poynter 3-65, Schmidt 4-53, Setters 4-14, Hunter 1-8, Case 1-1.