CROWN CITY — The Symmes Valley Vikings knew what they were facing. And after they were done, it was the South Gallia Rebels who did an about face.

The Vikings didn’t faint from the defensive-minded Rebels as they racked up nearly 400 yards of offense in a 40-6 romp Friday night.

“We played pretty well,” said Vikings’ coach Rusty Webb.

“Our kids knew they were good on the defensive side of the ball and our kids stepped up to the challenge. With the playoffs being so close, our kids embraced the challenge and stepped up and played well.”

With the win the Vikings clinched a Division VI playoff berth, probably at Columbiana next Saturday night. Official final ratings and pairings will be announced on Sunday.

Symmes Valley ends the regular season 8-2.

Evan Herrell bolted 77 yards for a touchdown that gave the Vikings a 6-0 lead with 3:54 left in the first quarter.

The Vikings took charge in the second quarter as they erupted for 28 points with a mixture of good offense and defense.

“In the second quarter that’s about as well as we’ve played on offense and defense. Our kids knew we had to have this game and they played very, very well,” said Webb.

Kyle Bowen scored on a 6-yard run and Josh Myers passed to Bowen for the conversion and it was 14-0.

A fumble recovery set up a 9-yard scoring run by Justin Payne. Myers’ conversion kick put the lead at 21-0.

Grant Foster came up with the big defensive play as he intercepted a pass and returned in 53 yards to the South Gallia 10-yard line. Three plays later Tyler Easthom ran 8 yards for a touchdown and it was 28-0.

Cody Myers capped a 57-yard, four-play drive by hitting Wayne Meade with a 25-yard scoring pass and it was 34-0 at the half.

Webb played his backups in the second half. Scott Dial had a 59-yard scoring run for the Viking reserves.

“I thought our young kids came in and played extremely well,” said Webb.

Symmes Valley had 296 yards on the ground and 98 passing as Myers was 6-of-7. Herrell finished with 105 yards on four carries.

South Gallia had just 148 total yards including 92 yards rushing, all against the Vikings’ reserves.

Symmes Valley 6 28 0 6 = 40

South Gallia 0 0 0 6 = 6

First Quarter

SV — Evan Herrell 77 run (kick failed) 3:54

Second Quarter

SV — Kyle Bowen 6 run (Bowen pass from Josh Myers) 11:17

SV — Justin Payne 9 run (Cody Myers kick) 10:37

SV — Tyler Easthom 8 run (Cody Myers kick) 5:26

SV — Wayne Meade 25 pass from Cody Myers (kick failed) 1:20

Fourth Quarter

SG — Austin Phillips 35 run (kick failed) 5:15

SV — Scott Dial 59 run (pass failed) 4:18

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SV SG

First downs 18 8

Rushes-yards 36-296 31-92

Passing yards 98 56

Total yards 394 148

Cmp-Att-Int 6-7-0 4-14-2

Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-1

Penalties-yards 6-67 6-28

Punts-average 2-21.5 5-19.2

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Individual Leaders

RUSHING—Symmes Valley: Tyler Easthom 6-23, Jacob Patterson 4-24, Kyle Bowen 4-24, Justin Payne 3-15, Evan Herrell 4-105, Boomer Meade 1-7, Cody Myers 8-31, Scott Dial 2-62, Jordan Fulford 1-3, Alec Herrell 1-2. South Gallia: Austin Phillips 1-35, Bryce Clary 9-21, Heath White 1-minus 5, Dalton Matney 3-minus 4.

PASSING—Symmes Valley: Cody Myers 6-7-0 98. South Gallia: Clary 4-14-2 56.

RECEIVING—Symmes Valley: Tyler Easthom 1-2, Hunter Boggs 2-46, Kyle Bowen 1-12, Justin Payne 1-13, Boomer Meade 1-25. South Gallia: Jeff Clayburn 1-20, Brandon Harrison 3-36.