The Locker Room November 7, 2006

Hello again Cougar Fans, and welcome back to the final regular season week of 2006, and another week here at cougarfootball.net. Needless to say, it has been a long and confusing season for our Cougars this year. For the first time since 1978, Pulaski County has won less than five games in a season. In that season, Gary Clark was our leading receiver with 10 catches for 295 yards. In that season, Randy Olverson was our quarterback. He had a grand total of 428 yards, finishing the season 23 for 85 passing (that’s a 27.1% completion rate) with 6 interceptions. Our three leading rushers that year….Joe Hodge, Olverson, and Jeff Harvey….had a combined rushing effort of 1383 yards for the season. Pulaski County finished 3-7 that season.

Oh…….there was one other thing that happened that year. It was the first time Pulaski County beat Salem. The Cougars won that game 15-6. They were not supposed to win that one.

Odd things happen in big rivalry games. Pulaski vs. Salem has always been huge, and records can be thrown out the window when it comes down to game time.

In 1981, the Cougars were looking strong and making a run at their first ever district title going into game 9 of the season. They beat Salem that year in a thriller, winning 10-7. In 1983, the Cougars won the Roanoke Valley District title and the Region title, but were only able to beat Salem by a score of 13-6 after putting up big numbers on some other teams.

In 1986, the Spartans came to Dobson Stadium with Pulaski undefeated. After some extremely controversial calls through out the entire game, Salem took home a 14-13 win. 1987 also had its share of calls in a game that ended with Salem winning 6-3.

It doesn’t seem to matter who the underdog is in these games. In 1991 and 1992, Pulaski had “the team to beat”. Salem did, winning in both of those seasons. Even though Pulaski won the AAA Division 6 State Championship in 1992, the lost to Salem 22-29. In 2000, Salem won its fourth State Championship, but they lost the third game of the season that year to Pulaski County 35-21.

Finally, in 1999, Pulaski County had to fight tooth and nail to beat Cave Spring in a Homecoming overtime thriller just to finish the season 5-5. Salem finished that season with a perfect 14-0 record and a Group AA State Championship….again. The next season, they came into the third game of the season with a 29 game winning streak going. Pulaski County went to Salem Stadium and ended that streak with a fine 35-21 win. PC has leads the series 16 games to 13. Pulaski County has scored 525 points as compared to 433 for Salem.

In this game, the only thing that seems to matter is who wants it more.

Folks, it’s time to find out who the real fans are in Pulaski County. This game means next to nothing in the big scheme of things. If Pulaski wins, Salem will still go on to the playoffs and the Cougars will still start packing away the equipment next week. If Salem wins, they may have a chance at another undefeated season if they can make it past an Amherst team that is still stinging from what may have been one of the worst calls ever in a playoff game last year. Either way, Pulaski will strap on the gold helmets for the last time in the 2006 season this coming Friday night, and we need to jack this TEAM….these PLAYERS….and these COACHES up!! This Thursday any fans who want to come up and wish the team good luck are welcome to come to the Pulaski County Field House after practice and meet the players and coaches and let them know your behind them. Everyone is welcome, practice should be over around 4 pm. If you’re a parent, a former player, or just a fan then come on out and let these guys know were behind them.

I’m calling out the Cougar Crazies, I’m calling out the rednecks up on the mountain, I’m calling out all of the rec league kids, I’m calling out the middle school kids, and I’m calling out all the parents. I’m calling out every former player from Pulaski County High School that has ever put on that gold helmet and walked down those steps. We need cowbells, shaker bottles, flags, posters and horns. Bring a friend, bring a buddy, bring somebody that from out of town…..but whatever you do BE THERE!!!

Salem High School fans will be there. The will be there early, and they will tailgate. This is out house, they are our guests. Let’s make them feel welcome before the game. Hey, some of them even cook pretty good!! This is one of the top rivalries in the State year in and year out, and with no chance at the playoffs this season, we need to make this last game one to remember for the team.

Let’s get out there and make some noise this Friday night. It’s the Cougars vs. the Spartans in game ten of the season, and the only thing on the line is PRIDE!! I don’t know about the rest of you, but for me that’s enough of a reason to win anytime.

I STILL BELIEVE IN THE COUGARS!!

GO COUGARS!! BEAT THE SPARTANS!!

COUGAR PRIDE!!!

Cougars by the Numbers
by Ardent Cougar

Finally - things go our way, last week.

It's been a long, grueling season.

There's still one thing left.

Salem comes in Friday night, riding high.  Two state titles in a row, and thirty one consecutive wins, are awesome accomplishments.

Jack, if there is anything in your arsenal that you have been 'saving' - use it.

You know that the kids have worked hard.

You know all about the adversity.

Spare nothing.

Find a way.

Take them down.