The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
This wasn’t the way Joshua Lawson’s senior season was supposed to go.
The Salem linebacker was returning from a first-team All-Tidewater performance as a junior and had mile-high hopes for his final campaign.
But Lawson was told it would never happen after breaking his left shoulder in the preseason.
He never gave up, though, returning from surgery, suffering through grueling rehabilitation sessions and attending practices throughout the season.
“He never missed a single one,” Salem coach Robert Jackson said. “He practiced like he was going to be playing every Friday.”
The work paid off last week as Lawson returned to action in an Eastern Region Division 6 semifinal victory over Bayside, earning him one more game.
Lawson’s season finally ended Friday in a thriller of a region final at the Sports-plex as the SunDevils nearly came back from a 28-point deficit before falling 35-34.
The game was a huge contrast from last year’s semifinal meeting between the two – a blowout victory for Oscar Smith.
Friday, it appeared things would go the same way as the Tigers (12-1) jumped out to a 35-7 halftime lead.
Lawson’s “never-give-up” attitude was instrumental in the second half as Salem (11-2) held the Tigers to just 36 total yards while scoring 27 unanswered points.
Lawson paced like a caged wildcat as Salem lined up for a game-winning two-point conversion.
When the run came up short, Lawson snapped on his helmet in hopes that another miracle could happen in the final minute.
“It wasn’t good enough,” Lawson said as he walked toward the locker room. “That’s it ... it just wasn’t good enough.”
Having Lawson on the field, however, was a big part of the attempt.
“Just his presence alone,” Jackson said. “Having him back was big for us last week against Bayside and it was big for us tonight.
“He never got down. In the locker room at halftime, he kept the kids’ spirits up. He’s definitely a big motivator for us.”
Jackson said that Lawson was getting a few college offers after his all-star season last year. But the offers tapered off after his injury.
Still, Jackson feels like he’ll play at the next level.
“He got hurt and we get that,” Jackson said. “But he’s 6-foot-3 and about 218 ... people would be crazy to pass him up.”
As his teammates milled around the field in different poses of disbelief, Lawson slowly worked his way out of the stadium.
That caged animal emotion from several minutes earlier had turned to dejection as the thought of a second chance at a senior season had slipped away.
“I just don’t have any words,” Lawson said. “I just don’t know what to say.”
Lee Tolliver, (757) 222-5844, lee.tolliver@pilotonline.com
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Oscar Smith/ Salem Game
Having attended most of Oscar Smith's game in the last four years, the Salem/Oscar Smith game last nite was tough to watch. Oscar Smith did dominate the first half, but the second half was a totally different game. Salem did make adjustments at the half & played their hearts out. I know there's a poll asking if the coach shoulda gone for the tie...I think the decision to go for it was right! But the mistake was the play that was called. Why throw the ball 5 yds behind the line of scrimmage? Salem was running straight ahead at will! Being a Tiger Fan, I'm looking forward to their continued play-off games, but know that Salem's loss was not the players but the choice where the player's had no voice. Great Season, Salem! Let's Go SMITH!
Give credit to Salem
Amazing game where Salem became the first Virginia team, (Oscar Smith lost to Gilman in Maryland to start season) to shut down the Tigers in the second half.