GLOUSTER – There’s just something about this place that the Symmes Valley Vikings don’t like.

Wednesday, August 30, 2000

GLOUSTER – There’s just something about this place that the Symmes Valley Vikings don’t like.

The Vikings inability to win at Trimble continued Friday night as the Tomcats squeezed out a 7-6 season-opening win.

Symmes Valley has never won at Trimble and that streak remained alive when Trimble took a 7-0 halftime lead and held on for the win.

Justin Guinther caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bobby Trace with 8:13 left in the half. Trace kicked what proved to be the deciding conversion point and it was 7-0.

The Vikings came back to get on the scoreboard when All-Ohio running back Brad Carpenter broke free on a 40-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

However, the conversion run failed and the Vikings trailed 7-6.

"We never quit and our defense played well, but our inexperience showed," Vikings coach Herb Conley said.

"We need to block better, not only the line, but the backs as well."

Carpenter finished the game wth 127 yards on 22 carries while Joseph Patterson finished with 38 yards on 10 attempts.

The Vikings were 2-7 passing for 39 yards and two interceptions.

Trimble enjoyed more success in the air as Trace connected on 10 of 21 attempts for 99 yard.

Kyle Andrews led the Tomcats with 67 yards on 18 attempts.

Symmes Valley had 153 yards on the ground for a 192 total yardage count.

The Tomcats rushed for just 20 yards against the Vikings defense to give them only 119 yards offense.