Football Game Preview: Salem Academy Crusaders vs. Taft Tigers + How To Watch

The Salem Academy Crusaders will take on the Taft Tigers at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Salem Academy has given up an average of 40.5 points per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Salem Academy's offense might be in the hot seat on Friday considering what happened against Dayton on Friday. They were outmatched by the Pirates and fell 43-0. The Crusaders have struggled against the Pirates recently, as the game was their third consecutive lost matchup.

Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Taft). They breezed past Scio to the tune of 49-13 on Friday. With that victory, the Tigers brought their scoring average up to 30 points per game.

Salem Academy better keep an eye on Kol Tolan. He was instrumental in Taft's win, rushing for 130 yards and three scores on only 14 carries, while also throwing for 117 yards on ten of 17 attempts. Callen Ward got in on the action too, converting a pick into a touchdown.

Taft was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 227 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 213 rushing yards in three consecutive matchups.

Taft didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Corban Smith and Ward. Smith got in on the action too, converting a pick into a touchdown.

Taft pushed their record up to 3-2 with the win, which was their third straight on the road. The road victories came thanks in part to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 43.3 points over those games. As for Salem Academy, their loss dropped their record down to 1-3.

Salem Academy beat Taft 25-15 in their previous meeting back in October of 2023. Will the Crusaders repeat their success, or do the Tigers have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.