Magruder Era Begins at Salisbury with Week 1 Matchup Against Westran
After two years of coaching eight-man football powerhouse Southwest Livingston, Oren Magruder will make his eleven-man football head coaching debut Friday night when the Salisbury Panthers host the Westran Hornets. With Salisbury coming off a 1-9 season in 2020, Magruder says he’s looking to build the program back up.
Salisbury’s last winning season was in 2014 when they went 7-4. A total of 29 kids, including five seniors, are on Salisbury’s roster this year. That includes quarterback Grant Biere who will lead Magruder’s air raid offense. Magruder says the Panthers are focusing on themselves heading into their week one matchup with Westran.
Westran has dominated the recent series history with Salisbury, having won six straight games. This includes victories of 36-14 in week one and 55-20 in the first week of districts last season. The Hornets finished 2020 with a 9-2 record. While they graduated their all-state running back Kolby Dale, Westran coach Aaron O’Laughlin says senior Quinn Massey is ready to step into that role this year.
Senior Derrick Merritt returns to the quarterback spot for the Hornets. Last season, Merritt ran for 1,099 yards and threw for 748. O’Laughlin says his squad will need to be ready from the start against Salisbury.
Pregame coverage of the Westran at Salisbury game will begin at 6:40 on KTCM 97.3 and centralmoinfo.com. Kickoff will begin at 7 with Colin Schowe bringing you the play-by-play.
