Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

REEDSVILLE — Big plays, big linemen and a big defensive effort were just what helped the Symmes Valley Vikings come up big.

The Vikings used all elements of their game as they beat the Eastern Eagles 28-13 on Friday in the season opener.

“We made some nice, big plays and our defense played very, very well,” said Vikings’ coach Rusty Webb. “We gave up some points, but overall we played very well.

“Tyler Rowe engineered the offense and the offensive line did an awesome job up front.”

The Vikings racked up 364 yards rushing on 51 carries led by Alec Herrell with 156 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns.

D.J. Miller had 151 yards on 15 attempts and two scores.

Eastern was limited to 141 total yards. Joey Scowden hit 9 of 19 passes for 66 yards and also ran 22 times for 40 yards.

The Vikings scored with just 1:23 left in the half on the second play of a 62-yard drive as Herrell ran 55 yards for a touchdown. The conversion kick was blocked.

Eastern answered right back by working the clock for a 66-yard, 10-play drive. Scowden hit Max Carnahan with a 6-yard touchdown pass as time ran out and it was 6-6.

Symmes Valley scored on the opening drive by going 59 yards in nine plays. Miller went the final 10 yards to put the Vikings ahead and Herrell added the conversion run with 7:44 on the clock.

The Vikings extended the lead to 21-6 on a 49-yard gallop by Herrell to cap a five-play, 67-yard drive. Miller kicked the extra point with 9:53 to play.

The Eagles took the ensuing kickoff and marched 45 yards in 10 plays with Scowden hitting Carnahan with a 13-yard scoring strike. Carnahan’s conversion kick cut the deficit to 21-13.

Symmes Valley added an insurance score when Miller got loose on a 46-yard run to end a quick 51-yard, three-play drive. Miller also kicked the extra point.

The Vikings held the Eagles on four plays to get the ball back with three minutes left and then ran out the clock.

Symmes Valley 0 6 8 14 = 28

Eastern 0 6 0 7 = 13

Second Quarter

SV — Alec Herrell 55 run (kick blocked) 1:23

RE — Max Carnahan 6 pass from Joey Scowden (kick blocked) 0:00

Third Quarter

SV — D.J. Miller 10 run (Alec Herrell run) 7:44

Fourth Quarter

SV — Alec Herrell 49 run (D.J. Miller kick) 9:53

RE — Max Carnahan 13 pass from Joey Scowden (Carnahan kick) 6:22

SV — D.J. Miller 46 run (Miller kick) 4:46

 

SV RE

First downs 13 10

Rushes-yards 51-364 35-81

Passing yards 1 66

Total yards 365 141

Fumbles-lost 2-2 2-2

Penalties-yards 4-41 4-28

Punts-average 5-31.4 7-36.0

Time of Possession 28:47 19:13

Individual Leaders

RUSHING—Symmes Valley: Alec Herrell 18-156, D.J. Miller 15-151, Tyler Rowe 10-31, Dustin Holbrook 5-24, Kyle Vallance 1-2, Quinten Bare 1-1; Eastern: Joey Scowden 22-40, Chase Cook 3-19.

PASSING—Symmes Valley: Tyler Rowe 1-3-0 1; Eastern: Joey Scowden 9-19-0 66, Max Carnahan 0-1-0.

RECEIVING—Symmes Valley: Kyle Vallance 1-1; Eastern: Max Carnahan 4-42, Alex Amos 3-18.