Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WILLOW WOOD — Not this time.

After having their defense riddled by the pass last season against Symmes Valley, the Chesapeake Panthers shut down the Vikings’ offense en route to a 25-14 win on Friday night.

The Panthers (3-0) outgained the Vikings 318 to 139. The defense limited the Vikings to only 5 yards passing after giving up 257 yards last year.

“That was one of the things we addressed this week,” said Panthers’ coach Andy Clark. “They had success with the pass last year and we wanted to take that away from them.

“Overall, our defense played pretty well except for a few self-inflicted penalties. Both teams are familiar with each other so we knew it would come down to execution and turnovers. We lost one fumble and we did a good job with our execution in the second half.”

Chesapeake ran for 234 yards as Casey McComas carried 22 times for 101 yards. He was also 4-of-5 passing for 84 yards including a touchdown.

Ty Wilcoxon added 52 yards on eight tries and Will Scott had 50 yards on three attempts. Both had a touchdown.

Collins Webb rushed 11 times for 61 yards and Levi Cade added 46 yards on seven attempts for the Vikings.

Symmes Valley coach Rusty Webb praised his team’s effort but note the Panthers were clearly the better team.

“We fought. They’re just better than us. They played well. We don’t have any excuses,” said coach Webb.

“Our running backs played well on offense and ran hard. Our defense played very well. (Chesapeake) is a very fast and athletic team.”

The Vikings (1-2) took an 8-0 lead on an 8-yard scoring run by Cade with 9:23 on the first quarter clock. Tyler Dement ran for the conversion.

The touchdown was set up by Jarod Sheppard’s fumble recovery on the first play of the game.

Chesapeake answered with a 43-yard, five-play drive capped by Scott’s 23-yard scoring run at the 1:03 mark and it was 8-6.

The Panthers took the lead with 8:11 to play in the half on a 1-yard run by Wilcoxon that ended a 46-yard, nine-play drive. Dement blocked the conversion and Chesapeake was up 12-8.

Symmes Valley put together its best drive of the game in the third quarter by driving 67 yards in 10 plays. Collin Webb ran 9 yards for the touchdown and the Vikings led 14-12.

But the Panthers came right back with a five-play, 56-yard march to regain the lead for good with 3:17 left in the quarter.

A 15-yard scoring pass from McComas to Austin Oldaker came on third down and Wesley Stephens kicked the conversion.

Chesapeake went 78 yards in 10 plays only to stall and turn to Stephens who booted a 28-yard field goal and it was 22-14 with 7:55 left.

A bad snap over the quarterback’s head on a fourth down play went for a 30-yard loss and set up the Panthers in Vikings’ territory.

The play led to a 31-yard field goal by Stephens with 3:42 left and the lead was 25-14.

“They’re well coached and have good team speed. What they do they do very well,” said coach Webb.

“There we times things weren’t going our way and we were able to get the momentum back on our side. We showed a lot of character and a lot of heart,” said coach Webb.

Chesapeake 6 6 7 6 = 25

Sym. Valley 8 0 6 0 = 14

First Quarter

SV — Levi Cade 8 run (Tyler Dement run) 9:23

Ch — Will Scott 23 run (run fail) 1:03

Second Quarter

Ch — Ty Wilcoxon 1 run (kick blocked) 8:11

Third Quarter

SV — Collin Webb 9 run (kick failed) 5:50

Ch — Austin Oldaker 15 pass from Casey McComas (Wesley Stephens kick) 3:17

Fourth Quarter

Ch — Wesley Stephens 28 field goal 7:55

Ch — Wesley Stephens 31 field goal 3:42

——

Ch SV

First downs 15 6

Rushes-yards 46-234 34-134

Passing yards 84 5

Total yards 318 139

Cmp-Att-Int 4-5-0 2-5-0

Fumbles-lost 1-1 0-0

Penalties-yards 7-67 3-9

Punts-average 1-44.0 6-32.7

——

Individual Leaders

RUSHING —Chesapeake: McComas 22-101, Maccoy Brown 9-15, Ty Wilcoxon 8-52, J.W. Bartrum 3-16, Will Scott 3-50; Symmes Valley: Cameron Meadows 5-8, Levi Cade 7-46, Derrek Smith 7-8, Collin Webb 11-61, Brandon Craft 3-8.

PASSING — Chesapeake: McComas; Symmes Valley: Derrek Smith 2-5-0 5.

RECEIVING — Chesapeake: Oldaker 3-53 Bartrum 1-31; Symmes Valley: Levi Cade 1-1, Collin Webb 1-4.