WILLOW WOOD - Okay, now you can start up the bus' engine.

Four previous playoff appearances meant four long bus rides. But Friday night Symmes Valley was hosting its first playoff game and the result was the Vikings first-ever playoff win as they beat the Zanesville Rosecrans Bishops 16-6.

"I'm happy to be making a bus trip next week," said Vikings head coach Rusty Webb with a big smile. "This was our first playoff win and our first win at home."

What made Webb even happier was the play of Eli Bowling, John Wiseman, Matt Owens, Jon Dillon, Alex Burnett, Derrek Cremeans, Matt White and Seth Saunders across the offensive line. The group helped produce 381 rushing yards on 65 attempts.

"Our offensive line did an outstanding job up front controlling the game," Webb said.

The defense also gave Webb reason to smile. Led by Owens and Dillon, the defense held the Bishops to just 30 net yards until the fourth quarter. Rosecrans finished with 146 total yards, 80 coming on their scoring drive late in the game.

"Matt Owens and Jon Dillon were outstanding on the defensive line. In fact, our defensive line did a great job of not letting (quarterback Scott) Moyer get his feet set," Webb said.

Moyer finished 10 of 26 passing for 130 yards and an interception.

While Rosecrans was limited to just 16 rushing yards, the Vikings got 92 yards from Derek Carpenter, 90 from Cory Burcham, and another 85 from Justin Holland.

"Our backs ran hard. I can't say enough about them. None of our backs is concerned about big numbers," Webb said.

After a short punt in the first quarter, Symmes Valley went 39 yards in just four plays to get on the scoreboard.

A 28-yard pass from Craig Neal to a wide-open Seth Saunders set up a 1-yard scoring run by Holland with 8:50 on the clock. Burcham kicked the extra point and it was 7-0.

Rosecrans threatened late in the half, but Holland recovered a Bishops fumble at the Vikings 23-yard line.

The Vikings then drove to the 15-yard only to have the Rosecrans defense stiffen and hold Symmes Valley on downs.

It was the defense that produced the next score for the Vikings. After Symmes Valley had a drive stopped at the 5-yard line, Moyer was called for intentional grounding in the end zone and a safety to put the Vikings ahead 9-0.

Another defensive play led to the next Vikings score. Burcham intercepted a pass at the 38, and on the ensuing play Carpenter bolted for the touchdown with 2:53 to play and it was 16-0.

Rosecrans avoided the shutout by marching 80 yards in eight plays capped by Moyer's 10-yard pass to Johnny Bills with 1:47 to go.

The win means the Vikings (9-1) will now play Newark Catholic (9-2) in the Division VI Region 23 regional semifinals next Friday at a site to be determined.

"Our kids played a great game, but our fans did a great job, too. Our fan support was tremendous.," Webb said.

(NOTE: Jeff Gorby contributed to this report.)

Rosecrans0006-6

Symmes Valley7009-16

First Quarter

SV - Justin Holland 1 run (Cory Burcham kick) 8:50

Fourth Quarter

SV - Safety (intentional grounding in end zone) 10:50

SV - Derek Carpenter 38 run (Cory Burcham kick) 2:53

ZR - Johnny Bills 10 pass from Scott Moyer (pass failed) 1:47

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ZRSV

First Downs616

Rushes-yards12-1665-281

Passing yards13028

Total yards146309

Cmp-Att-Int10-26-11-6-2

Punts-average7-32.54-29.0

Penalties-yards4-356-45

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Individual Leaders

RUSHING - Rosecrans: Jonathan Gaudio 8-5, Scott Moyer 4-2, Johnny Bills 1-minus 1. Symmes Valley: Derek Carpenter 15-92, Cory Burcham 18-90, Justin Holland 22-85, Craig Neal 10-14.

PASSING - Rosecrans: Scott Moyer 10-26-1

146. Symmes Valley: Craig Neal 1-5-1 28, Cory Burcham 0-1-1.

RECEIVING - Rosecrans: Jeremy Ridgley 3-48, Brodie Lepi 4-47, Johnny Bills 2-32, Jonathan Gaudio 1-7. Symmes Valley: Seth Saunders 1-29.