Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WILLOW WOOD — It was a case for defense, and Matlock would have been proud.

The Symmes Valley Vikings came from behind and beat the Chesapeake Panthers 21-14 in a defensive battle Friday.

Neither team could manage 200 yards of offense and key defensive plays helped decide the outcome.

“It was a very good defensive game by both teams,” said Vikings’ coach Rusty Webb. “We were able to make enough plays on offense in the next to last drive. The kids really came together.”

With the game tied at 14, the Vikings put together their only sustained drive of the game as they marched 66 yards in seven plays capped by Tyler Rowe’s 3-yard run with 10:38 to play.

Lane Wilson’s conversion kick put the lead at 21-14.

Tanner Mays had the key play in the drive with a 33-yard run to set up Rowe’s score. Mays also hit Brandon Craft with an 8-yard pass for a pivotal first down to keep the drive alive.

Chesapeake (0-3) forced a punt in the first quarter and went 64 yards in 15 plays to draw first blood.

Chad Meadows went 7 yards for the touchdown and Wesley Stephens’ kick put the lead at 7-0 with 4:19 on the clock.

The Vikings’ defense came up with the big play as Mays intercepted a pass to set up a three-play, 10-yard drive. Collin Webb ran 4 yards for the score and the Panthers’ lead was just 7-6 with 11:54 left in the half.

After an exchange of possessions, the Panthers got the ball at the Vikings’ 26-yard line. Six plays later, Meadows pounded his way into the end zone. Stephens’ kick extended the lead to 14-6 with 4:26 left in the half.

The Panthers’ defense made a huge statement when they held the Vikings on downs late in the first half on a first and goal at the 7-yard line.

But the Vikings took advantage of a break to tie the game in the third quarter.

A bad snap on a punt gave the Vikings the ball deep in Chesapeake territory and Webb scored on a 17-yard run with 9:31 on the clock. Mays ran for the conversion to tie the game.

The Vikings — now 2-1 on the season — had 171 yards on the ground but just 8 through the air. Mays ran 14 times for 63 yards, Webb had 54 yards on seven carries and Meadows added 32 yards on 11 carries.

“This was a big jolt of confidence. We really needed that win,” said Webb. “We made a lot of mistakes in the first half, but these kids never gave up. I am so proud of them and the character they showed. This was just what the doctor ordered.”

Chesapeake finished with 144 yards including 137 on the ground. Meadows ran 19 times for 81 yards and Maccoy Brown had 50 yards on 13 tries.

“As bad as we played, we still had our chances,” said Panthers’ coach Andy Clark. “(Symmes Valley) played a lot better than last week. Give them credit for bouncing back. They just executed better than we did.”

The Vikings beat the Panthers for the first time in three years and got their first home win against Chesapeake since their unbeaten season of 1989.

Chesapeake 7 7 0 0 = 14

Sym. Valley 0 6 8 7 = 21

First Quarter

Ch — Chad Meadows 7 run (Wesley Stephens kick) 4:19

Second Quarter

SV — Collin Webb 4 run (kick failed) 11:54

Ch — Chad Meadows 4 run (Wesley Stephens kick) 4:26

Third Quarter

SV — Collin Webb 17 run (Tanner Mays run) 9:31

Fourth Quarter

SV — Tyler Rowe 3 run (Lane Wilson kick) 10:38

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Ch SV

First downs 12 8

Rushes-yards 47-137 41-171

Passing yards 7 8

Total yards 144 179

Cmp-Att-Int 2-12-1 1-4-0

Fumbles-lost 2-0 6-2

Penalties-yards 3-15 3-15

Punts-average 5-24.2 3-31.3

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Individual Leaders

RUSHING—Chesapeake: Chad Meadows 19-81, Maccoy Brown 13-50, Casey McComas 7-47, Nate Smith 2-0, Brad Meadows 1-minus 2, Austin Stone 4-minus 1, team 1-minus 38; Symmes Valley: Collin Webb 7-54, Tyler Rowe 11-32, Kyle Vallance 1-0, Dustin Holbrook 2-5, Tanner Mays 14-63, Brandon Craft 5-17, team 1-minus 15.

PASSING—Chesapeake: Austin Stone 2-12-1 7; Symmes Valley: Tanner Mays 1-4-0 8.

RECEIVING—Chesapeake: Andrew Saunders 1-13, Maccoy Brown 1-minus 6; Symmes Valley: Brandon Craft 1-8.