Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WILLOW WOOD — For the Symmes Valley Vikings, it was all about making plays no matter what the situation.

The Vikings made key plays in other areas than offense as they beat the Huntington Ross Huntsmen 26-16 Friday in the season opener.

“Our defense made the plays when they had to and we made some big plays on special teams,” said Vikings’ coach Rusty Webb.

A big play on special teams came on the opening kickoff as the Vikings’ Tanner Mays bolted 81 yards for a touchdown and a 6-0 lead.

“That’s the first time that’s ever happened since I’ve been here,” said the 14-year Vikings’ head coach.

The Vikings recovered a fumbled and drove 80 yards in eight plays capped by a 24-yard pass from Derrek Smith to Dillon McFann and it was 12-o with 5:11 left in the first quarter.

The Huntsmen came back with a 71-yard, eight-play drive that ended when quarterback David Shoemaker ran 14 yards for the touchdown on a fourth and goal. The conversion pass was good and it was 14-8.

Huntington had a 14-play, 69-yard drive in the third quarter but the Vikings’ defense held at the 1-yard line.

The Huntsmen managed to get a safety out of the exchange when they tackled the Vikings’ punter in the end zone and it was 12-10 with 9:32 to play.

Mays made a big punt return but the Vikings were unable to capitalize. Webb said the return didn’t produce any points but proved to be a turning point.

“We didn’t scored but we changed the field position,” said Webb.

Pinned deep, the Huntsmen fumbled and the Vikings recovered at the 10.

Two plays later Payton Hayes ran 2 yards for the score. Tyler Ferguson’s kick made it 19-10.

Huntington went to the air only this time Brandon Craft came up with an interception and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown. Ferguson’s kick made it 26-10 with 2:24 to go.

The Huntsmen got a 43-yard scoring run by Shoemaker on a third and 20 to draw within 26-16 with 1:48 left, but the Vikings were able to run out the clock.

“The kids hung tough. I’m very proud of our kids,” said Webb. “They had typical first game jitters. We had kids at a lot of new spots, but they kept their composure. I’m pleased with their effort.”

Mays ran four times for 68 yards to lead a balanced running attack as the Vikings had 179 yards on the ground.

Brad Fraley carried 30 times for 146 yards and Shoemaker had 94 yards on 16 attempts for the Huntsmen who ran for 247 yards.

Huntington 0 8 0 8 = 16

Symmes Valley 12 0 0 14 = 26

First Quarter

SV — Tanner Mays 81 kickoff return (kick blocked) 11:42

SV — Dillon McFann 24 pass from Derek Smith (pass failed) 5:11

Second Quarter

HR —David Shoemaker 14 run (pass good) 3:42

Fourth Quarter

HR — Safety (punter tackle in end zone) 9:32

SV — Payton Hayes 2 run (Tyler Ferguson kick) 3:00

SV — Brandon Craft 35 interception return (Tyler Ferguson kick) 2:24

HR —David Shoemaker 43 run (pass fail) 1:48

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HR SV

First downs 13 9

Rushes-yards 50-247 32-179

Passing yards 20 30

Total yards 267 209

Cmp-Att-Int 3-9-1 4-9-1

Penalties-yards 2-20 1-5

Fumbles-lost 3-3 2-2

Punts-average 4-24.2 3-19.0

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Individual Leaders

RUSHING—Huntington: Brad Fraley 30-146, David Shoemaker 16-94; Symmes Valley: Tanner Mays 4-68, Derek Smith 9-38, Brandon Craft 5-34, Collin Webb 6-20, Payton Hayes 4-16, Levi Cade 2-1, Dustin Holbrook 2-2.

PASSING—Huntington: David Shoemaker 3-9-1 20; Symmes Valley: Derek Smith 4-9-1 30.

RECEIVING: Huntington: Justin Baker 1-3,Brad Fraley 1-9, B. Smith 1-8; Symmes Valley: Collin Webb 2-4, Dillon McFann 1-24, Brandon Craft 1-2.