WILLOW WOOD — One likes to run between the tackles. The other prefers to run outside the tackles. Either way, get ready to run.

The Symmes Valley Vikings will used their run-right-at-you wishbone offense against the Malvern Hornets spread attack when they meet at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Region 23 Division VI quarterfinals.

While the formations and styles are different, Vikings’ coach Rusty Webb said the ideas are basically the same between the two teams.

“We’re going to line up and run right at you. There’s no secret what we’re doing,” said Webb. “(Malvern) will give out a lot of formations and move around a lot, but they would rather run it. They’re in the spread, but they still want to run it.”

Malvern quarterback Doug Wood is 898 of 144 for 1,328 yards passing with 14 touchdowns and six interceptions, but he has carried the ball 134times for 684 yards and nine touchdowns.

The key weapon in the running game is halfback Maurice Johnson with 1,561 yards on 208 carries. He has scored 17 touchdowns.

Other big players in the offense are fullback Tyler Crawford who has 56 carries for 201 yards and receivers Nick Palleschi — 35 receptions for 605 yards — Travis Tucci — 30 catches for 487 yards — and Zach Johnson — 13 grabs for 178 yards.

Webb said stopping the Malvern offense is difficult.

“They have good offensive line, they have good skilled kids and the ability to strike quickly. Their quarterback can run or throw it,” said Webb. “They remind me a lot of the Matewan (W.Va.) teams we’ve played.”

On the flip side of the ball is a Malvern defense that has posted two shutouts this season and held two other teams to 13 or less points.

“It’s just a good, solid defense. They’ve given up some points, but they score so many points so quickly their defense is on the field a lot,” said Webb.

Crawford leads the defense with 60 tackles including 46 solo stops. Johnson leds the team with seven quarterback sacks, tackle Brett Lee has six sacks Chase Richards five sacks. Palleschi has three interceptions.

The Vikings have six different runners on offense.

Evan Herrell has 62 carries for 634 yards and 10 touchdowns. Kyle Bowen has 78 attempts for 444 yards and six TDs, Justin Payne 305 yards on 57 tries with five scores, Tyler Easthom 60 carries for 301 yards and five TDs, Jacob Patterson 209 yards on 53 attempts and two touchdowns, and quarterback Cody Myers 169 yards on 76 rushes and three scores.

When the Vikings do throw, Myers is 32 of 61 passing for 424 yards and three touchdowns. Hunter Boggs has five receptions for 79 yards, Payne five for 75, Easthom nine for 74, Wayne Meade three for 62 and Herrell four for 36.

This is the sixth postseason appearance for Malvern while the Vikings are making their seventh trip to the tournament.

Malvern won the regional title last season and advanced to the Division VI Final Four.

Symmes Valley Vikings

2009 Results

Sym. Valley 28 Southern 6

Sym. Valley 37 Fairfield Christian 22

Sym. Valley 33 Chesapeake (3OT) 39

Sym. Valley 41 Manchester 6

Sym. Valley 14 Northwest 0

Sym. Valley 26 Green 0

Sym. Valley 27 Sciotoville East 6

Sym. Valley 0 Oak Hill 41

Sym. Valley 21 Prts. Notre Dame 7

Sym. Valley 40 South Gallia 6

Record: 8-2

Coach: Rusty Webb (58-3, 9th year)

Malvern Hornets

2009 Results

Malvern 45 Lowellville 7

Malvern 48 Waterloo 0

Malvern 35 East Canton 28

Malvern 41 Strasburg-Franklin 0

Malvern 29 Newcomerstown 27

Malvern 36 Tusc. Catholic 35

Malver 54 Conotton Valley 13

Malvern 44 Garaway 29

Malvern 26 Ridgewood 27

Malvern 56 Sandy Valley 20

Record: 10-0

Coach: Dave Tucci

Symmes Valley Vikings Offense

No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.

38 Wayne Meade LE 5-09 160 Sr.

12 Drew Brock LE 5-10 160 Sr.

79 Nick Clay LT 6-03 300 So.

70 Jordan Wells LT 6-04 280 Jr.

54 Garrett Foster LG 5-11 215 So.

51 Grant Foster C 5-11 210 So.

78 Cory Hakes RG 5-10 325 Sr.

74 Billy Bloomfield RT 6-02 325 Sr.

13 Hunter Boggs RE 6-04 200 Jr.

4 Scott Dial RE 5-06 145 So.

8 Cody Myers QB 5-07 165 So.

29 Tyler Easthom RB 5-10 165 Sr.

2 Kyle Bowen FB 5-09 215 Sr.

44 Jac ob Patterson FB 5-11 180 Jr.

1 Justin Payne RB 5-10 175 Sr.

22 Evan Herrell RB 5-10 160 Jr.

Symmes Valley Vikings Defense

No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.

38 Wayne Meade DE 5-09 160 Sr.

54 Garrett Foster DT 5-11 215 So.

2 Kyle Bowen DT 5-09 215 Sr

29 Tyler Easthom RB 5-10 165 Sr.

29 Tyler Easthom ILB 5-10 165 Sr.

51 Grant Foster ILB 5-11 210 So.

13 Hunter Boggs OLB 6-04 200 Jr.

12 Drew Brock OLB 5-10 160 Sr.

1 Justin Payne CB 5-10 175 Sr.

22 Evan Herrell CB 5-10 160 Jr.

8 Cody Myers FS 5-07 165 So.

Malvern Hornets Defense

No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.

7 Travis Tucci WR 6-03 160 So.

73 Matt Saling LT 6-00 195 Sr.

77 Nolan Champer LG 6-03 220 Sr.

62 Dominic Chiurco C 5-11 265 Sr.

68 Chad Lee RG 6-01 235 So.

55 Brett Lee RT 6-02 265 Sr.

34 Brady Weber TE 6-02 235 Fr.

83 Nick Palleschi WR 6-03 175 Sr.

1 Zach Johnson WR 5-10 175 Sr.

10 Doug Wood QB 5-10 185 Sr.

32 Tyler Crawford FB 5-10 200 Sr.

9 Maurice Johnson RB 5-09 150 Sr.

Malvern Hornets Offense

No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.

55 Brett Lee DE 6-02 265 Sr.

69 Chase Richards DT 6-00 185 Sr.

77 Nolan Champer NG 6-03 220 Sr.

68 Chad Lee DT 6-01 235 So.

25 Logan Sellers DE 6-03 170 So.

32 Tyler Crawford LB 5-10 200 Sr.

9 Maurice Johnson LB 5-09 150 Sr.

7 Travis Tucci CB 6-03 160 So.

1 Zach Johnson CB 5-10 175 Sr.

10 Doug Wood S 5-10 185 Sr.

83 Nick Palleschi S 6-03 175 Sr.