By Joe Simon

New Castle News

Joe Salmen has been drawing plays up in the dirt for as long as he can remember.

He hasn’t stopped now that he’s the starting quarterback for Union High. He just modified where he draws his plays.

“He’s the king of suggestions,” said Union coach Stacy Robinson, only half joking. “He drew up his own playbook in the summer, but I refuse to see it. On the other hand, that’s what you want out of your quarterback.”

Regardless of whether his coach checks out his playbook, the studious approach by Salmen seems to be paying off.

The junior completed 9 of 13 passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns in the Scotties’ 40-20 Big Seven Conference victory over South Side Beaver. He also ran for 72 yards and a TD. His performance earned him Athlete of the Week honors, an award sponsored by Washington Centre Physical Therapy and selected by the New Castle News sports staff.

Salmen, in his first year as the starter, is second in Lawrence County in passing yards (590), completion percentage (39 of 66, .590) and touchdowns (4). He’s hit the ground running, which is unusual for any player without experience, but it’s especially odd for a quarterback. Robinson said Salmen knows all the plays (both his and his coach’s) and understands the coverages and schemes of different defenses. Not too surprisingly, Salmen is not afraid to exchange ideas with his equally creative coach.

“He’s always got a suggestion when he comes to the sideline,” Robinson said. “And I’m not going to lie, sometimes I’m going to listen to his suggestions. And sometimes I tell him to get lost and I’m calling the play. But he’s a gamer, and that’s Joey.”

Salmen isn’t the only “gamer” in the family. His father, Dave, a star athlete at Union in the early 1980s, was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds baseball organization in 1983. Although he wasn’t around for that, Joe said he learned a lot from watching his cousins, Jason and Bobby Burkes, play for the Scotties. Both were standout athletes at Union, and their younger brother, Ernie Burkes, now is splitting time at quarterback at Neshannock. The Lancers (2-2) square off with the Scotties (2-2) Oct. 7 at Neshannock.

But Salmen isn’t looking ahead. He’s staying focused on what’s brought him to this point: a relaxed and confident demeanor.

“I wasn’t surprised by the speed of the game,” Salmen said. “I’ve been watching it since my cousin Bobby was playing when I was in like sixth grade or something. So the speed of the game didn’t really bother me. It all falls together if you just stay calm and do what you have to do.

“As a quarterback, you set the tone for the offense,” he added. “If I come into the huddle, and I’m real soft- spoken and just being real into myself, it doesn’t work that way. You have to make sure everyone hears you and that everyone understands you’re going to tell them what to do and they’re going to execute, and that’s how we’re going to win this football game.”

That type of attitude has worked well for Union, mainly because Salmen isn’t the only one speaking up and making plays. The majority of the team is made up of juniors (the Scotties have just one senior) who have been playing side by side for most of their childhood. The camaraderie built over the years is an invaluable quality not many teams can boast, and it’s what has Robinson excited about his young team.

“These guys have been friends since probably kindergarten,” Robinson said. “They’ve been together playing, whether it’s basketball, baseball or football, so their friendship is a genuine friendship, so it’s like the old days where the kids come and the pecking order is determined by them.”

The hierarchy of who’s calling plays doesn’t seem to be changing, no matter how intricate they appear to Salmen.

“I had a bunch of (plays),” he said. “I had all the audible calls in for everything, but I don’t think coach will let me put them in.”

So, is there any chance that could happen? It’s not looking good.

“I told him he’s the biggest goof in town, right behind me,” Robinson said.

*****

THE JOE SALMEN FILE ...

POSITION: Quarterback

GRADE: 11

KNOWN FOR: Salmen is just breaking onto the scene this year. He’s second in the county in nearly every passing category and had a big game last week against South Side Beaver, going 9 of 13 for 127 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 72 yards and a score in the 40-20 victory.

PARENTS: Marcia and Dave Salmen

FAVORITE PLAYER AND WHY: Kellen Moore, Boise State University quarterback. “He’s not overly big, he’s not overly quick, he doesn’t have the best arm, but he knows the game and he’s good.”

FAVORITE PRO TEAM AND WHY: Minnesota Vikings. “It’s kind of odd, but Randy Moss, Cris Carter and Daunte Culpepper were always my favorite. I always watched them and grew up with the Vikings.”

FUTURE PLANS: Salmen said he wants to play either baseball or football in college and likely will study chemical engineering.