The Roanoke Times: Press Box

with our sports staff

Comments

# 1

[November 23, 2007 11:37 PM]

Alan H

Referes are cheaters and roanoke times Know it.It's time for someone to do something about this problem. Because It's ongoing,Salem cheat every year and Roanoke Times Know!!!!!!!!!Dummies,Have a interview about this major problem besides having interviews about dumb sh!!!!! like Daylight Savings time/Dummies.Do something about this problem/PLEASE/PLEASE?It's time to stop cheating,These kids deserve better treatment or they might as well not play.

# 2

[November 25, 2007 7:09 PM]

Hammer

In regards to cheating allegation... do you have proof? If you are to accuse someone of such a serious lack of morals or integrity you better have documented factual proof.These games are video taped and reviewed by the VHSL.PROVE IT!! Are you serious?...or is this just a childish case of SOUR GRAPES? GROW UP and learn to spell.

# 3

[November 25, 2007 11:25 PM]

Chris

I couldn't agree more about the obvious no call at the Salem/Bassett game. There were two completely obvious pass interference plays against Bassett that were never called that could have lead to winning scores on friday. But they were quick to throw that unsportsman flag against Bassett only late in the game. I'm sure that came out of frustation due to the fact they felt like they were getting shafted the whole game. I'm not going to say it was outright cheating going on, well, yes I am becuase that's what it looked like. It's a shame when these kids bust their tails and get this crap going on.

# 4

[November 26, 2007 10:10 AM]

Ticked in Bassett

Well, Salem did it again. Bassett was by far the better team in Fridays Regional game held at Salem. But, its hard to beat the officials. You guys should be ashamed of yourselves for calling the game that way. It happens all the time in Baseball and Football. You guys can't stand the fact that The teams from the Piedmont District can kick ya'll in the rear, as long as YOUR OFFICIALS are not calling the games.

# 5

[November 26, 2007 8:32 PM]

bassett bengals!!! piedmont district champs

the video is the proof!! but our boys maintained their dignity, can salem say the same thing. how many games do they want given to them??

# 6

[November 26, 2007 8:42 PM]

bengal

salem got the trophy to bad they did not earn it.the refs., gave it to them, now we need to give those refs., a pink slip.

# 7

[November 27, 2007 9:03 AM]

PROUD BENGAL

FYI: HAMMER

THE VHSL DOES NOT OVER SEE THE REGIONAL PLAYOFFS, WE HAVE A REGIONAL CHAIRMAN BY THE NAME OF MR. BRADSHAW WHO IS OVER THESE GAMES, BUT JUST SO YOU KNOW THE VHSL IS OVER THE STATE PLAYOFFS. SO NOW YOU NEED TO GET EDUCATED. MR. BRADSHAW COULD CARELESS ABOUT THIS GAME BECAUSE HE AND HIS OFFICIALS GOT PAID, BUT WE ALL KNOW BASSETT WON THE GAME AND IF SALEM CAN GO THERE WITH SOMETHING THAT WAS GIVEN TO THEM, AND THEY KNOW THEY DID NOT EARN, DOES NOT SAY MUCH FOR THEM OR THERE COACH, BUT IT SAYS ALOT ABOUT THERE HOME TRAINING.

# 8

[November 28, 2007 12:53 PM]

RD

The VHSL does not review these tapes and you know it. Even if they did it probably would not make a difference. Salem Stadium seats more people than any of the others. It's all about the money. If I were a Salem player I think I would like to win a game outright instead of always having the controversy over my head and be labled cheaters. Let's not forget the episode two years ago with Amherst or this year when Pulaski County's coach was too pissed to speak with the news stations after their adventure in Salem. There were four men sitting behind me from Salem who were pulling for Bassett they said because of the reffing. They could tell me everytime when the refs were going to throw a flag because they said the refs did the same every week. It was obvious which team was the better team last Friday...BHS. And by the way, on a first down the ball is marked where the momentum carries the player not where he is pushed back to. These games should be played on neutral fields with referees from districts not associated with either team. GO AMHERST!

# 9

[November 28, 2007 2:05 PM]

Hammer

My father coached at Fieldale-Collinsville and my uncle coached at Bassett in the 70's.I am a grad of Salem High. I went to Collinsville primary and John Redd Smith as well. I think I see both sides of this...I will just tell you what my father would tell me."You should never allow a game to be so close that the presence of bad officiating,could effect the outcome."If you say Bassett got some bad calls - I am sure Salem will show you they got the same treatment.I do recall an incident of actual cheating by RICHLANDS (may they rot) that was proven and they were stripped of a state title. Salem, by the way, were the victims of the illegal cleats and watered down field.That still didn't make up for the state title my brother never won.Disappointments are part of life... deal with it!As for cheating..... PROVE IT !!! We did!!! You are the role models for these young men.Show them that you can greet adversity with determination to overcome and a spirit that can't be broken. Don't show them bitterness and childish pouting.IT IS WHAT IT IS.....

# 10

[December 1, 2007 12:29 AM]

Jeffery Paddyfote

1983 All Region & ALL Timesland at Laurel Park High. All Conference WV Tech. A business professional that lived in Salem 03-06. As a spectator attended the Amherst Salem regional game. Salem awarded game winning TD on an out of bounds catch. A good to yards out of bounds. I'm sure you remembered that. There's your proof from an unbiased spectator.

# 11

[December 1, 2007 1:59 AM]

Hammer

If u submit it they will review it. Gentlemen, if u were the best team BY FAR .... we aren't having this conversation.As far as corruption goes...keep hangin' with sherriff Cassell - he'll take you to the promised land!!!! Maybe you should hire him. GO SALEM GO!!!

# 12

[December 1, 2007 3:37 PM]

Fleming Pride

i had to join this but i hope not to late. It is a well known fact that Salem cheats. but what can you do? But whip them when there on the road.

# 13

[December 1, 2007 5:02 PM]

Get Real

Most of these comments are unbelievable. A bunch of idiots telling us all who they are, where they went to school, who there dad or uncle coached. Why - are you running for office or think these make you qualified to call people names? You are talking about high school sports and these attitudes towards and these comments are an embarrasment- just hope the students and players don't follow this example. Get a life please.

# 14

[December 1, 2007 7:59 PM]

AppalBear

Salem has been benefitting from biased officiating at its home games for nearly 40 years, going back to the Andrew Lewis days. No other school in the Roanoke Valley has this well-deserved reputation. Ever notice that Salem never has a close or controversial call go against them? At this year's Fleming-Salem game, officials called an interception after the ball had BOUNCED ON THE GROUND!

On the other hand, Salem gave Amherst its toughest fight all year, 48-35, closer even than GW-Danville. Too bad the game wasn't in Salem; the refs might have helped them enough to win.

# 15

[December 3, 2007 1:22 PM]

Jeffery Paddyfote

To the gentleman that wrote the Get Real Comment. Idiots are not scholar athletes, who earn MBA's and become VP's at major corporations. Speak for yourself. Take notice, despite you negative comments, I still addressed you as a gentleman.

# 16

[December 4, 2007 9:47 AM]

jonathan

salem handled blacksburg and christiansburg easily with both games beign shutouts....AWAY yes at those fields. All of you guys are a bunch of idiots looking for an excuse. Prove cheating is involved rather than undiciplined football by other teams and you may make sense... of and @ Amherst they had 10 penalties and Salem had 1. Diciplined football

# 17

[December 6, 2007 6:48 PM]

ur huckleberry

We feel the same when it comes to soccer. We have coached, observed and participated in games against Salem for many years. And there is no doubt in our minds that the penalty calls never go both ways. It's like we have to play against the refs and the team. As a player, when the ref is always calling minor stuff on you it takes you out of your "game". You cant play as competetively aggressive. Also, I have attended the last 5 Salem vs Pulaski football games. I am not from or for either. We just enjoy the gridiron battle. I recall many bad-questionnable calls! Once I was standing at the fence on the south endzone at Salem. The reciever made the catch 3 ft. out a bounds. The whole crowd "awed"! Even the Salem reciever looked dissappointed. But the refs awarded Salem with the reception. Tht was one of MANY bad calls in Salems favor.

# 18

[February 11, 2008 11:31 AM]

b bengal

disciplined my tail. we played the best game ever of our entire lives and we still lost. We only averaged 9 a game before the salem game, and we leave with 17! that's b.s especially when weren't the only team that it happened to, call it what u will, but u can only do that for so long til somebody beats u so bad that the refs cant even help u. Salem i feel bad 4 yall in yalls 08- 09 season, cuz me bein a junior, i have another year and ill b one of those people who knew how hard our seniors worked to get were they were, an they jus had every thing stripped away.

# 19

[February 13, 2008 1:53 PM]

bengal mom

ya'll still talking about this??? i don't blame you i'm need a mad bengal parent too!!

# 20

[August 24, 2008 12:30 AM]

sophomore bengal

i dont see y these boys are put through all this practice and summer two-a-days in 95 degree weather just so they can be cheated in a game where we obviously won 21-10, but not according to the refs, they dont care, and the funny thing is Salem still lost to Amherst, so what did salem get out of this? An even worse reputation than they already had.