Salem took to the football field for the first time under head coach John Starr on Friday night in a preseason game against Westside Macon.
The Seminoles came out strong on both sides of the ball and jumped out to a 7-2 lead before the game was called at halftime due to lightning.
Starr said he was pleased with his team's effort in the half-way completed exhibition, and especially liked the defensive intensity.
"I think defensively we really played well," Starr said. "Our offense put our defense out there in some pretty difficult situations and they responded every time.
The defense started the game out with a three-and-out situation, stopping Westside Macon running back Terrell Johnson for two runs of two yards each before forcing an incomplete pass.
On Salem's next defensive series, they forced three straight incomplete passes. On their third possession, Westside Macon made some adjustments and marched from their 20-yard line down to Salem's 20.
On first-and-10 from the 17 yard line, Johnson ran for seven yards to move to Salem's 10-yard line.
After a run for zero yards, Westside Macon went for the pass, but Salem's defense came up with one of their two turnovers on an interception at its own 7-yard line by Deandre Hurt in the second quarter.
"We came up with a couple of nice plays when we needed it," Starr said. "I thought it was a great overall team effort."
The interception maintained Salem's 7-0 advantage after a Georgio Redman 30-yard touchdown run down the right side.
"That was a great play," Starr said. "We made a good block to get him open on the edge."
Westside Macon couldn't answer on defense, but found its way on the scoreboard after Salem's Jordan Jackson fell on a fumble in the end zone.
That was one of the few plays Salem slipped on, and will work on improving it before the Aug. 27 opener against Heritage.
"Obviously we've got a lot of things we have to work on," Starr said. "But I thought the effort and attitude was what we got out of tonight."