Palsgrove’s Points

Welcome back, friends. Today in this column, we’re going to step back and reflect on the question of trust. The question is: Who do we trust on this Flames football team? The answer — in a perfect world — would be just about everybody, but this isn’t a perfect world.

So I’m going to grade players, position groups, coaches and some random things surrounding the football team on a scale of one to 10. A 10 on the scale means, “I trust you enough to throw the game-winning Hail Mary pass and also to date my daughter.” A one on my scale means that I would keep them on my bench and not think about putting them in the game even if everyone else is dead.

Let’s have some fun.

Kaidon Salter — 7.8

This entire exercise is about taking my gut feelings and translating them into a singular number, and that was most difficult to do with junior quarterback Kaidon Salter. When he throws the ball, he looks immaculate. To end Saturday’s outing, Salter went 8 for 8 when throwing the football, and those eight passes resulted in 141 yards and one touchdown on Salter’s 13-yard laser to redshirt junior wide receiver Tyson Mobley.

On the ground, Salter seemed less than perfect and far from the Salter we’ve seen in games past. It’s a strange feeling, the feeling of unease that settles in my stomach watching Salter decide between keeping the football or handing it off, and yet that feeling of unease vanishes as soon as I see him wind up to take a shot downfield. 

Salter’s arm has never looked better. His pocket management could use some work, but it’s taken major steps. He still looks fast, but it seems like there’s a lag in his ability to make decisions in read-option plays. It might not be him; it may be a coaching issue. But regardless, this isn’t the full, Super Saiyan form we’ve seen K-Salt reach in past games.   

Spotted Lanternflies — 1 

I don’t know if this really needs explaining. Those gosh-darn spotted lanternflies are all over Lynchburg, and they drive me crazy. They’re all over, they’re mean and they’re gross. If you see one, kill it on sight, and that’s not an exaggeration. That’s the official government recommendation.

The Flames Quarter — 10

Since Flames Head Coach Jamey Chadwell took over this team, the Flames are 13-0 when heading into the fourth quarter, which Chadwell dubbed the “Flames Quarter.” It’s corny, but it works. The record shows it, and the players acknowledge it. On multiple occasions, I’ve heard players discuss how that introduction to the fourth quarter, with the lights low and the Flames hype video blasting throughout Lynchburg, has excited them for that last quarter. 

Chadwell may be corny at times, but the man knows how to keep fans and his players invested all the way through games.

The Sparky Shuffle — 2.6 

I’ve been to a lot of sporting events at Liberty, and I can confidently say, with no real proof, that the Sparky Shuffle game is rigged. People, and little kids especially, are way too good at following that football. I don’t like it. I don’t trust it. 

The Flames’ running back room — 6.8

This is an intriguing one because the room took a big blow Saturday night when junior star running back Quinton Cooley went to the medical tent in the first quarter, not to be seen in pads again. But in his absence, senior Billy Lucas had a 104-yard and three-touchdown evening. Redshirt freshman Vaughn Blue didn’t have his best evening, taking four carries for just 9 yards and a fumble.

So how do we quantify those stats along with the absence of Cooley and redshirt freshman wide receiver/running back Darius Copeland? I’m not entirely sure, but I trust the Flames’ coaching staff to scrape the rust off Blue’s gloves and design a scheme for Lucas and sophomore running back James Jointer Jr. going forward. It’s all going to be okay. Remember, this team is still 3-0, even though the vibes feel more like the 11-0 Pittsburgh Steelers than I’d like to admit. 

Palsgrove is the sports editor for the Liberty Champion. Follow him on X.