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