Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

WILLLOW WOOD — The stakes are high.
There are a lot of things that will go to the winner when the Sciotoville East Tartans visit the Symmes Valley Vikings on Friday.
“Both teams are 6-2 and this goes toward our league standings and we’re both fighting to get into the playoffs. There’s a lot riding on this game,” said Vikings’ coach Rusty Webb.
Sciotoville East is ranked ninth in Region 27 of Division VII with a 7.3819 average. The Vikings are one spot behind with a 7.0753 average.
Both teams are also 3-1 in the Southern Ohio Conference Division I standings, one game behind Oak Hill.
East will rely on senior quarterback Brady Douthat (5-10, 210) and junior running back Kyle Flannery (5-11, 165).
“They have a good quarterback in Douthat, Flannery may be the best back we’ve seen all year, and (Chase) Bond (6-3, 310) and (Blaine) Scott (6-4, 310) are really big linemen,” said Webb.
“They have coach (James) Gifford’s son (Ethan) at fullback. J.D. Hatcher (6-2, 200) is a very athletic tight end and they have a very aggressive, physical defense. This will be a challenge for us and we’re looking forward to it.”
The Vikings use a balanced running game featuring Layken Gothard, Derik Brace, Keifer Wilson and Austin Waugh.
Webb said the teams match up well and the game could be decided on the intangibles.
“Obviously, turnovers will play a big part in the outcome,” said Webb. “There’s no secret to what we’re going to and it’s no secret to what they are going to do.”
Kickoff is 7 p.m.