Vikings expect balanced Trimble
Published 2:06 am Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Symmes Valley Vikings’ linebacker Jordan Fulford reaches to make the tackle on a Portsmouth Notre Dame running back. The Vikings host Trimble at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Division VI playoffs. (The Ironton Tribune / Courtesy of Robert S. Stevens of The Gold Studio in Ironton )
By JIM WALKER
Tribune Sports Editor
WILLOW WOOD — The Trimble Tomcats are a vivid memory to Rusty Webb.
The Symmes Valley Vikings’ head football coach hasn’t faced Trimble in years, but he said things really haven’t changed much since their last meeting.
“They look like the same old Trimble, just different players,” said Webb. “They have made a few changes on defense, but that offense is the same.”
The similar style will be on display starting at 7 p.m. Saturday when the Vikings (9-1) host Trimble (7-3) in the quarterfinals of the Division VI Region 23 playoffs.
The pro-style offense always featured the quarterback and tailback and Webb said that holds true this season.
The quarterback is Justin Jewell, a 6-foot, 175-pound senior, and the tailback is Austin Keith, a 6-2, 190-pound senior.
Sharing the fullback job are senior Cyrus Jones (5-10, 165) and sophomore Jacob Koons (6-0,175).
“The quarterback is a good athlete. Their quarterbacks are always guys who can run or throw. And they tailback runs hard. If he gets loose, he can pick up some yards real quick,” said Webb.
“The fullbacks are scrappy kids. They block well and they just keep coming at you.”
The tight end is senior Jacob Hooper (6-1, 185), the split end junior Wyatt Deak (5-10, 150) and the flanker is sophomore Konner Standley (5-8, 160).
“They like to keep it balanced. They try to run it and throw it. They run it like East but they throw it like (Portsmouth) Notre Dame. They mix it up pretty well,” said Webb.
Up front the Tomcats will have junior Cody Bragg (6-3, 250) at center, senior Chris Spears (5-10, 210) and senor J.D. Chesser (6-0,175) at the guards, and junior Brett Downs (6-1, 250) and senior Brandon Auflick (6-4, 250) at the tackles.
“They’re not as big up front as us, but they do a nice job,” said Webb.
The slight change in the Tomcats’ style comes on defense where coach Phil Fairies still uses the 50 alignment, but he has switch to other fronts including a 4-4.
“He likes the 50 look, but now he is using multiple sets. He keeps you guessing so that you can’t get a good read on what they’re doing,” said Webb.
Keith and Wright at the ends with sophomore Jacob Altier (6-1,160) and junior Casey Degamore (5-10, 285) at the tackles.
The linebackers are Spears, Bragg, Koons and sophomore Jacob Kish (5-11, 160). In the secondary the Tomcats use Jewell, Standley, senior Storm Rushing (5-8, 165) and freshman Austin Downs (5-10, 150).
The Vikings will counter with a running game that has four dangerous runners.
Alec Herrell has 1,129yards on 105 carries and eight touchdowns, D.J. Miller 801 yards on 100 carries and 13 TDs, quarterback Cody Myers has 109 carries for 622 yards and five scores, and Tyler Rowe had 304 yards on 26 carries and six touchdowns.
Myers is 22 of 51 passing for 374 yards and three touchdowns. He has been intercepted three times.
“The big thing we have to do is take care of the football more than anything. You want to do that in any game, but it’s really a key in playoff games,” said Webb.
Symmes Valley Offense
TE Austin Baldwin
Jacob Graybeal
LT Kyle Wells
LG Caleb Holderby
C Grant Foster
RT Garrett Foster
RT Nick Clay
TE Scott Dial
QB Cody Myers
RB Alec Herrell
Tyler Rowe
FB Jordan Fulford
Austin Owens
RB D.J. Miller
Symmes Valley Defense
DE Austin Baldwin
DT Garrett Foster
DT Kyle Holderby
DE Jacob Graybeal
OLB Tyler Rowe
Michael Cremeans
ILB Grant Foster
ILB Alec Herrell
OLB Jordan Fulford
CB Scott Dial
CB D.J. Miller
S Cody Myers
Trimble Defense
DE Caleb Wright
DT Jacob Altier
DT Casey Degarmore
DE Austin Keith
LB Chris Spears
LB Jacob Kish
LB Wyatt Bragg
LB Jacob Koons
CB Justin Jewell
CB Konner Standley
S Storm Rushing
S Austin Downs
Trimble Offense
SE Wyatt Deak
LT Brandon Auflick
LG J.D. Chesser
C Cody Bragg
RG Chris Spears
RT Brett Downs
TE Jacob Hooper
FL Konner Standley
QB Justin Jewell
FB Cyrus Jones
Jacob Koons
TB Austin Keith