Vikings must take advantage of chances

Published 12:00 am Sunday, November 14, 2004

WILLOW WOOD - When the Symmes Valley Vikings see red, coach Rusty Webb wants them to see green.

That's green as in the end zone playing surface.

Webb said it is important for the Vikings to take advantage of their scoring opportunities when they play the Newark Catholic Green Wave at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Chillicothe High School in the Division VI Region 23 semifinals.

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"The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win. We're going to have to play field position, and when we get inside the red zone, we're going to have to convert it into touchdowns," Webb said.

That may be easier said than done. The Green Wave have allowed just 85 points through 11 games.

Newark Catholic lost just 14-9

to Division V defending state champion Amanda Clearcreek and 20-3 to Lancaster Fisher Catholic. One win was 7-3 over Sheridan, a Division III school that qualified for the playoffs.

Leading the defense are linebackers Zach McPherson, Andy Paul and Spencer Griley plus massive nose guard Derek Moore (6-4, 270).

"Their linebackers are very aggressive and they have the big boy in the middle. We'll have to find a way to neutralize him. He causes havoc in every game we've seen," Webb said. "Teams have to double team him and then their linebackers are free to roam. Their secondary will come up and hit. They have excellent special teams."

Green Wave head coach Bill Franks said his team was young and inexperienced heading into the season. They had to replace 20 starting positions this season.

"The kids are doing an admirable job being coached every day and they do a good job," Franks said. "They got better every week and they're playing good football right now."

Franks said the Vikings (9-1) will fit right in with their difficult regular season foes.

"We have nothing but respect for coach Webb and the Symmes Valley program. They are so fundamentally sound. They play tough, aggressive football. We remember how tough they played us two years ago. It's hard to compare them because they play so hard."

The Green Wave offense tries to utilize quarterback Michael Taylor and receivers Alex Campolo and Keane Carpenter plus running backs McPherson and Paul.

"They're pretty balanced on offense. I'd say a 60-40 team with the 60 running and the 40 passing," Webb said. "Their quarterback has a strong arm and he has some excellent receivers to throw balls to.

"They're not big, but they're quick and the come off the ball. They have very good skilled people on both sides of the ball. They're very athletic, they're well coached, and they're a disciplined team."

Franks said the Green Wave likes to play conservative and opportunistic.

"We believe in playing good defense and not turning the ball over," Franks said. "Offensively, we try to balance the run and the pass. We've played a pretty good schedule and we've had some big wins. We're aware of the big challenge we have with Symmes Valley."

Newark Catholic (9-2) is not a big team outside of Moore and Nate Harris (6-2, 225). Webb said the Green Wave's lack of size is still a problem.

"They're big in certain spots, but they won't overwhelm you with size. Newark Catholic always has great technique and they always come to play," Webb said. "They're not big, but they're quick and they come off the ball hard. "