Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

MERCERVILLE — Go ahead and put up the “D” and “fence” sign, the Symmes Valley Vikings “D” and “served” it.

The Vikings used a strong defensive effort to shut down the South Gallia Rebels and pick up a 19-12 win on Friday.

“We’ve let some leads slip away on us, but the kids did a good job in practice this week and bouncing back,” said Vikings’ coach Rusty Webb.

“Our offensive did what it needed to do and our defense did an outstanding job.”

The Vikings (2-2) limited the Rebels to 164 total yards, got a fumble recovery by Ethan Stapleton, a blocked punt by Brandon Craft and interceptions by Tanner Mays to end the first half and another by defensive lineman Tyler Dement to stop South Gallia’s final possession of the game.

“We played so hard. We played with a lot of heart and desire. South Gallia is a very good football team,” said Webb.

After a series of punt exchanges to start the game, the Vikings went up 6-0 on a 67-yard pass from Derrek Smith to Collins Webb for a 6-0 lead.

In the second quarter the Vikings went 52 yards in nine plays capped by Webb’s 3-yard run and it was 12-0 at the 8:40 mark.

The Rebels cut the deficit to 12-6 on a 6-yard run by Dominick Seward with 2:40 left in the half.

South Gallia recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. Landon Hutchinson hit his brother Kane Hutchinson with a 27-yard scoring pass with 46 seconds left in the half to tie the game.

But Tanner Mays gave the Vikings the lead for good as he returned the kickoff 77 yards for a touchdown. Tyler Ferguson’s kick made it 19-12 with 36 to go in the half.

The teams battled for field position in the second half. The Vikings had a drive to the 2-yard line that stalled.

Smith led the Vikings’ offense as he completed 5 of 8 passes for 115 yards and a score. Payton Hayes ran 13 times for 41 yards and Webb added 30 yards on seven tries.

South Gallia (2-2) was held to 32 net yards rushing. Landon Hutchinson was 10 of 24 passing for 132 yards and a touchdown but he suffered the two interceptions.

Symmes Valley 6 13 0 0 = 19

South Gallia 0 12 0 0 = 12

First Quarter

SV — Collin Webb 67 pass from Derrek Smith (run failed) 3:37

Second Quarter

SV — Collin Webb 3 run (run failed) 8:40

SG — Dominick Seward 6 run (run failed) 2:40

SG — Kane Hutchinson 27 pass from Landon Hutchinson (run failed) 0:46

SV — Tanner Mays 77 kickoff return (Tyler Ferguson kick) 0:36

——

SV SG

First downs 14 14

Rushes-yards 38-112 33-32

Passing yards 115 132

Total yards 227 164

Cmp-Att-Int 5-8-0 10-24-2

Fumbles-lost 1-1 1-1

Penalties-yards 10-73 12-110

Punts-average 6-26.3 4-22.0

——

Individual Leaders

RUSHING —Symmes Valley: Payton Hayes 13-41, Collin Webb 7-30, Brandon Craft 7-16, Tanner Mays 9-23, Derrek Smith 2-2; South Gallia: Dakota Roten 12-54, Dominnick Seward 5-8 TD, Landon Hutchinson 13-minus 3.

PASSING — Symmes Valley: Derrek Smith 5-8-0 115 TD; South Gallia: Landon Hutchinson 10-24-2 132 TD.

RECEIVING — Symmes Valley: Cameron Meadows 2-26, Payton Hayes 1-19, Collin Webb 2-70; South Gallia: John Sheets 1-37, Kane Hutchinson 6-83, Dakota Wroten 1-4, Jordan Howell 1-3.