Week One

Girard at Salem

Quaker fans came into Reilly Stadium not sure what to expect from their team after last year's 0-10 season. What they saw was the first glimpses that Salem could be a special in 2009. They lost to Girard 42-34, but had a chance to tie the game before a late interception killed those hopes. Ben Eisel, returning to the field after sitting out last year injured, made up for lost time intercepting an Adam Charles pass and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown. He also later returned a kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown. Trent Toothman rushed 19 times for 124 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw for 78 yards and a touchdown. Girard finished the season 10-0 and will host a playoff game Saturday night. The eight point win over Salem was the only time the Indians were tested until their week 10 rivalry game against Liberty.

Week Two

United at Salem

Salem had lost 11 straight games and three straight to their neighbors down route 9. The outlook was looking gloomy again when Salem fell behind 14-0, but that was all forgotten after they surged to a 62-16 victory that started the ball rolling for the Quakers. Trent Toothman cemented his status as one of the Mahoning Valley's premier quarterbacks with a seven touchdown performance in the game. He rushed for 63 yards and three touchdowns, threw for 310 yards and three more touchdowns, and then topped off the night with a 75 yard interception return for a touchdown. Ben Eisel caught six passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns and also had a 37 yard interception return for a touchdown of his own. Austin Noel, who has since became a valuable weapon for the Quakers, had his first touchdown of the season on a 78 yard run for Salem's last score. It was Salem's first win of the season, but not many would have expected that AT LEAST seven more were to follow.

Week Three

Salem at West Branch

It was Mike Kopachy's debut in a rivalry in which Salem has not seen much success as of late. However, his debut was a pleasant one. Big plays were the order of the night for Salem as the Quakers scored a 28-26 victory, their first over their arch-rivals since 2005. Salem jumped out to a 28-13 lead before having to withstand a West Branch rally to earn the victory. Ben Eisel put on a show, scoring on a 60 yard pass from Trent Toothman, a 49 yard punt return and a 25 yard run. Toothman added the other Quaker touchdown on a 65 yard run. Eisel finished with eight catches for 152 yards. Toothman rushed for 124 yards on 10 carries. He also threw for 186 yards.

Week Four

Hubbard at Salem

After two strong victories over two bitter rivals, Salem took a step back with a 42-0 loss to Hubbard. Trent Toothman only was able to pass for 95 yards and only rushed for 35. Lost in the disappointing performance was Eric Bailey's effort as he rushed 13 times for 70 yards. A solid night for him even though the team result wasn't what anyone was hoping for. No one else the rest of the season gave Hubbard a challenge as the Eagles will be playing at home Friday night in a playoff game of their own.

Week Five

Liberty at Salem

After the loss the previous week to Hubbard, many were writing off the Quakers and few outside of Salem gave them a chance with Liberty coming to town. What happened that Friday night, on homecoming at Reilly Stadium, was the turning point in the Quaker season. After leading the whole night, Liberty took the lead in the fourth quarter and it seemed as if it would be another, so close yet so far, ending. However Trent Toothman had other plans. Toothman rallied his team and ran in the game winning touchdown with 2:44 on the clock to lift his team to the win 15-9. Mike Brown clinched the game with a fourth down sack of Liberty's quarterback, putting the exclamation point on a statement win not only for the Quakers, but the Salem defense which from that point forward, has been one of the toughest in the area. Toothman rushed for 101 yards and passed for 108 and had a touchdown toss to Ben Eisel, who caught 11 passes for 81 yards.

Week Six

Salem at Campbell

Campbell was the third eventual playoff team Salem would face and the first they would beat. And a convincing win it turned out to be as Salem won 32-14. On what was the first in a string of weather-affected games, Salem took to the ground. Eric Bailey had his breakout game. He would rush 16 times for 120 yards scoring twice. Trent Toothman had another standout night, this time with his legs more then his arms. He only passed for 51 yards but rushed for 148 and a touchdown. Ben Eisel would also rush for a touchdown and the defense kept Campbell's explosive athletes in check the whole game. At the end of the game, for the first time, whispers of playoffs could be heard.

Week Seven

Salem at Struthers

Salem came out as a fine-tuned machine and played like a dominant force in a 41-7 win at Struthers. The Quaker defense came out to a rallying cry of being accused by Struthers of being soft. They responded to holding the Wildcats to only 140 total yards of offense. Offensively, five different Quakers joined in on the party. Trent Toothman, Eric Bailey, Austin Noel, Josh Knox, and Ben Eisel all scored touchdowns in a well-balanced Quaker attack. Toothman once again led with 144 yards passing and 102 yards rushing.

Week Eight

Beaver Local at Salem

Salem honored all nine of the seniors and the team gave them a grand sendoff in a 41-6 victory over Beaver Local. Senior Ben Eisel made the most of his final game at Reilly Stadium. Eisel returned the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown and the team never looked back. Eisel would add two field goals and two touchdown receptions to his night, giving the home fans one final thrill on his home field. He finished with 66 yards receiving. Trent Toothman passed for 123 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown. He also ran an interception back 33 yards for a touchdown. The Beavers only managed 102 total yards of offense against a Quaker defense led by Matt Taylor, Mike King and many others that has turned into the cornerstone of the team.

Week Nine

Salem at Lakeview

It was the game of the year for Salem. Many were calling it the biggest game Salem had seen in many years. A playoff birth was on the line in Cortland. Only fitting that the biggest game, had one of the biggest plays in Salem football history. Salem had their backs against the walls late, trailing 20-17. Trent Toothman drove his team down the field in the final minutes, including an unforgettable hurdle over a Lakeview defender while scampering for a 30 yard run. And with 29.6 seconds left, Toothman threw a jump ball that Zach Penick came down with in the corner of the end zone that propelled Salem to victory 24-20. Salem jumped on top 14-0 early on a 4 yard run from Eric Bailey and a 14 yard pass from Toothman to Penick. Toothman, on a night of relentless rain, threw for 253 yards and the two scores. Ben Eisel shined on the defensive end of the ball gathering two interceptions including one of the final hail mary pass from Lakeview. The Bulldogs' Te Elias came in as the league's leading rusher and the Quaker defense limited him to 109 yards on 26 carries.

Week Ten

Salem at East Liverpool

All the Quakers needed was one final solid performance and they were headed to the playoffs. And they got it. The Quakers jumped in front early and cruised to a 33-14 win. Salem wanted to put the Potters away quick and jumped out early on Ben Eisel's 75 yard return of the opening kickoff for a touchdown. They followed it up with an onside kick and then Trent Toothman scored on a three yard run to give Salem a 13-0 lead before East Liverpool ever had the ball. Toothman would throw for 159 yards and three touchdowns. Two to Eisel and one to Zach Penick. Eric Bailey rushed for 89 yards and Austin Noel rushed for 51 to help pace the Quakers. The defense kept the Potters in check holding them to only 170 total yards. For the first time in Salem history, week 10 does not bring the end of Salem's season.