Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WILLOW WOOD — All Symmes Valley coach Rusty Webb had to see was one statistics: 358 yards rushing.

The Vikings piled up plenty of rushing yards as they ran past the Lancaster Fisher Catholic Irish 35-17 Friday.

Webb praised the work of the offensive line that includes center Phillip Combs, guards Tyler Celeski and Tyler Dement, tackles Ben Ferguson and Dakota Watson and tight ends Cameron Meadows, Lane Wilson and Curtis Lybrand.

“Our offensive line did a better job. If you rush for over 300 yards, you’re obviously getting something done up front,” said Webb.

Tyler Rowe led the ground game with 119 yards on 15 carries. Collin Webb was right behind with 110 yards on eight carries. Tanner Mays and Brandon Craft each rushed for 56 yards.

Webb was concerned coming into the game despite the fact Fisher Catholic was winless. The Vikings were coming off an emotional 21-14 win over Chesapeake

“When you come off a big game and a big win, you always worry about how your kids will respond and they did really well. We had a team-oriented game,” said Webb.

After a scoreless first quarter, Wilson forced a fumble and Mays recovered inside the Irish 20-yard line.

Rowe ran 4 yards for the score and Wilson’s conversion kick made it 7-0.

The Vikings (3-1) lost a fumble at the 27 but held and forced a fourth down decision. The Irish elected to go for the field goal and Zach Dryden booted a 38-yarder and it was 7-3 with 3:33 left in the half.

The Vikings then went 72 yards in just six plays to score. Mays ran 4 yards and it was 14-3.

But Fisher Catholic (0-4) returned the kickoff to the Vikings’ 40. Jared Faulkner hit Jake Stoughton with a 40-yard scoring pass and it was 14-10 at the half.

Symmes Valley took the second half kickoff and marched 75 yards in 12 plays. Webb had a 10-yard scoring run to culminate the drive and it was 21-10.

Kyle Vallance came up with a big defensive play for the Vikings as he intercepted a pass.

Symmes Valley then went 71 yards in nine plays for a touchdown. Craft did the honors with a 4-yard run and it was 28-10 with 4:04 left in the third quarter.

Payton Hayes hooked up with Rowe on a 47-yard touchdown pass with 10:01 to play as the lead grew to 35-10.

Faulkner and Stoughton clicked on a 39-yard touchdown pass with 7:18 left to complete the scoring.

Fisher Cath. 0 10 0 7 = 17

Sym. Valley 0 14 14 7 = 35

Second Quarter

SV — Tyler Rowe 4 run (Lane Wilson kick) 11:05

FC — Zach Dryden 38 field 3:33

SV — Tanner Mays 4 run (Lane Wilson kick) 2:01

FC — Jake Stoughton 40 pass from Jared Faulkner (Zach Dryden kick) 1:50

Third Quarter

SV — Collin Webb 10 run (Lane Wilson kick) 8:08

SV — Brandon Craft 4 run (Lane Wilson kick) 4:04

Fourth Quarter

SV — Tyler Roe 47 pass from Payton Hayes (Lane Wilson kick) 10:01

FC — Jake Stoughton 39 pass from Jared Faulkner (Zach Dryden kick) 7:18

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FC SV

First downs 6 17

Rushes-yards 22-48 48-358

Passing yards 165 98

Total yards 213 456

Cmp-Att-Int 10-23-2 3-7-0

Fumbles-lost 3-1 4-1

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Individual Leaders

RUSHING—Fisher Catholic: NA; Symmes Valley: Tyler Rowe 15-119, Collin Webb 8-110, Tanner Mays 10-56, Brandon Craft 10-56, Seth Jarrell 2-9, Dustin Holbrook 3-8.

PASSING—Fisher Catholic: Jared Faulkner 10-23-2 165; Symmes Valley: Tanner Mays 2-6-0 51, Payton Hayes 1-1-0 47.

RECEIVING—Fisher Catholic: Jake Stoughton 6-119; Symmes Valley: Tyler Rowe 1-47, Brandon Craft 2-51.