From The Bleachers 2000:
Week Three
by Ardent Cougar

Friday, September 8 - Salem Spartans (Away):

Series:  PC leads 12-9. 
Last Meeting:  1999 at PC.  The Spartans blew open what was shaping up to be a close game in the 2nd quarter.  With the score 17-6,  the Cougars failed on 4th down from the 1.  Dennis Haley then broke the next play (and the backs of the Cougars) with a 99-yard TD run.  Salem led 41-6 before coasting to a 41-21 win.

This week, the Cougars get a chance to see how good they really are.  Playing at Salem is as good a test as any.  The Spartans won the last two meetings handily.  Salem has captured the Division 4 Championship the past 2 years, and 3 times since 1996.  The Spartans have won 29 consecutive games.  PC's pass defense will get tested against Coach Willis White's squad.  More consistent pressure on the QB is needed.  The Cougar defense played great ball last week, although it must be kept in mind that the Hilltopper offense scored only 7 points against last year's often leaky defense.  The kick coverage had better be prepared for things like reverse handoffs.  The work that has been done to improve defense and special teams has definitely made a difference, but this game could show us how much improvement is still needed.

Offensively, the running game is in great shape, the passing game is beginning to take root, and everyone seems healthy.  If drive-setting-back penalties will be avoided, this team can score against anyone.  Any mental errors on offense, like illegal procedure penalties, could kill key drives.  Although passing is starting to be a somewhat bigger part of the offense, 3rd-and-long is still bad news for what is primarily a running team.  This situation cannot be afforded against a powerhouse like Salem.

Matt Gilliam's rankings for this week put us at No. 19 in the state with a 75.89 rating, and Salem at No. 4 with a 93.47 rating.  Going by his system, we would be about an 18-point underdog.  Of course, last week Glass outrated us by about 2 points.

This is an intense rivalry, which only adds to the excitement of two strong teams clashing.  Each program has accomplished much.  Both teams won at least one state championship in the 1990s.  The fan support for each school is excellent, and the stands are usually packed on both sides for this annual showdown.

Week Two Review - E. C. Glass Hilltoppers (Away):

I was amazed at the ease with which the Cougars dominated.  The running game was superb, and the small doses of the passing game worked very well.  Frank Cobbs (143 yards, 1 TD) and Josh Calfee (109 yards, 1 TD) led a ground attack that amassed 327 yards.  QB Alan Wheeling gained 51 yards on only 5 runs (including a 40-yard score), and was 4-5 passing for 74 yards and a TD.  John Hedge converted both field goals he attempted, and all 4 extra points.  The defense allowed only 211 yards, and much of that came after the game was decided.  PC led 31-0, having scored on 5 of its first 6 real possessions.

One disturbing thing was the number of penalties in the second half.  Granted, some of the calls were suspicious.  However, a lot of it seemed to stem from a lack of discipline, and I am certain that Coach Hicks was not at all happy with both the officiating, and the players, regarding this.