Winning combination

Sophomore running back, solid defense lead Salem to shutout win over Lions

  The first dilemma defenses face when trying to contain 5-foot-8, 160-pound Salem running back Marcus Houston is finding him behind the Rocks' mammoth offensive line.

  The second dilemma is catching the speedy sophomore once he breaks through the line of scrimmage.

  South Lyon couldn't solve either dilemma Friday night as Houston slashed, juked and accelerated his way to 239 yards in the Rocks' impressive 19-0 rain-slickened homecoming night victory over the Lions.

  Salem improved to 2-5 overall and 2-3 in the KLAA Central Division. South Lyon slipped to 1-6 and 1-4, respectively.

  The Rocks will play at Livonia Franklin on Friday in a league cross-over contest.

  Houston chalked up five carries of at least 24 yards and had a 56-yarder called back by a holding penalty.

  "I'm just happy to be on the varsity as a sophomore," the modest, soft-spoken 10th-grader offered, a few minutes after his 26-carry effort. "Our offensive line did a great job. They kept their legs driving, they pushed the defensive line back and I just followed them."

  At times Friday night, Houston flashed the cut-back-against-the-grain style of his favorite all-time running back.

  "I like Barry Sanders," he said, smiling. "I juke a lot like him. I watch all his highlight films and try to learn some of his moves."

  If it's possible to upstage a running back that runs for 239 yards, the Rocks' defense did it against the Lions. Led by linebackers Austin Root and Ethan Walsh, and defensive lineman Dana Baltazar, the Rocks allowed the Lions to penetrate their 20 just once all night.

  Baltazar starred in the defensive play of the game with 9:18 left in the fourth quarter and Salem clinging to a 7-0 lead. On a fourth-and-1 from the South Lyon 39, he penetrated the Lions' backfield and disrupted an inside handoff that resulted in a fumble recovered by Evian Pardo.

  "The entire defense played great on that play," said Salem coach Kurt Britnell. "They plugged up the hole and played disciplined football. That was a huge turning point for us."

  Four plays after the defensive stand, Houston bounced outside on an off-tackle play and scampered 26 yards to paydirt to extend the Rocks' lead to 13-0 with 6:40 left. The exchange on the extra point was botched.

  "I got a great block from my wide receiver (Alex King), jumped over the guy he knocked on his back and ran to the end zone," Houston said.

  Aided by a pair of 15-yard personal-foul calls on the Rocks, South Lyon drove to the Salem 12 on its next possession, but the drive stalled following four straight incompletions.

  Salem put the game on ice with its ensuing possession: a seven-play, 88-yard beauty that was culminated by Kyle Middleditch's 8-yard, up-the-gut touchdown run with 1:20 left.

  South Lyon's final drive ended when Rock defensive back Rebhi Elder intercepted a pass inside the Salem 10-yard line.

  "I like the way the kids are hanging together," Britnell said in the wake of his squad's second win in three weeks. "That's been our thing all year. It's been like, 'Let's get better every day and work on the fundamentals. The guys have been hanging in there and working hard.

  "It's been a rough year, but I appreciate how hard the guys have continued to work. They've really come together, which is nice to see."

  Other defensive standouts for the Rocks were Oronde Watkins, Chris Sweet, Mike Grodus, James Middleditch and Mike Guido.

  The offensive line of Baltazar, Ed Merhi, Blake Abbey, A.J. Smith and Ethan Walsh played a huge role in Houston's big game.

  Salem starting quarterback Jake Peterson had a solid night, completing 4-of-7 passes for 19 yards. He also scored the game's first touchdown on a 1-yard sneak in the second quarter.

Ed Wright can be reached at info@plymouthcantonsports.com or (734) 453-1980.