Vikings face big challange in unbeaten Trimble
Published 1:29 am Thursday, November 6, 2014
![Symmes Valley Vikings’ Dillon McFann (11) runs behind a block by teammate Collin Webb (22) as he gains yardage in last week’s game against Danville. The Vikings play at Trimble Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Division VII Region 25 quarterfinals. (Kent Sanborn of Southern Ohio Sports Photos)](https://www.irontontribune.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2014/11/SV-McFann-on-web.jpg)
Symmes Valley Vikings’ Dillon McFann (11) runs behind a block by teammate Collin Webb (22) as he gains yardage in last week’s game against Danville. The Vikings play at Trimble Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Division VII Region 25 quarterfinals. (Kent Sanborn of Southern Ohio Sports Photos)
Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com
WILLOW WOOD — Remember the Miracle on Ice at the 1980 Winter Olympics when the USA shocked Russia to win the gold medal?
That will be the story line for the Symmes Valley Vikings as they face the unbeaten Trimble Tomcats at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Div. VII Region 25 quarterfinals at Glouster.
The Tomcats posted a second straight 10-0 regular season to follow up on last year’s state runner-up campaign.
Vikings’ coach Rusty Webb knows his team has a daunting challenge ahead.
“They’re good. They’re very balanced. They’re good on the offensive and defensive side of the ball,” said Webb.
Symmes Valley (6-4) must focus its attention on junior tailback Justice Jenkins (6-1, 190), senior wide receiver Austin Downs (6-1, 165) and junior quarterback Andrew Losey (6-1, 165).
“Justice ran for over 1,300 yards, Downs is fifth on their all-time receiving touchdown list and their offense set a school record for scoring,” said Webb.
“But we’re going to practice hard and do what we do best and do what we need to do. Our kids will play hard.”
Also in the backfield are Caullin Lunsford (5-11, 180) and Dakota Smathers (5-9, 155). The other wide receivers are Jacob Hardy (6-2,170) and Terry Simerly (5-6, 140).
Up front the Tomcats have T.J. Spears (6-0, 240) at center, Jacob Stevens (5-11, 245) and Jonathon Roback (6-1, 240) at the guards, Tanner Koons (6-5, 290) and Micah Couch (6-6, 220) at the tackles and Bryce Guthrie (6-5,2 20) at tight end.
“Their offensive line is strong and they have a lot of kids back off their state runner-up team,” said Webb.
While the Trimble offense was scoring a record 507 points, the defense allowed a mere 62 points with three shutouts. They gave up one touchdown in four other games.
Symmes Valley has scored 225 points and given up 190.
“They’re small but quick,” said Webb. “They are very aggressive and they really run to the ball well. They’re very skilled in the secondary.”
The Tomcats’ defensive line had Cody Carroll (6-0, 185) at nose guard, Stevens and Spears the tackles and Couch and Guthrie the ends.
Lunsford leads an quick and active linebacking corps that includes Simerly and Smathers. The secondary has Jenkins and Downs at the corners with Cody Jones (5-10, 125) at safety.
Symmes Valley Vikings
OFFENSIVE LINEUP
No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.
11 Dillon McFann TE 6-01 175 Sr.
48 Curtis Lybrand TE 5-06 170 Jr.
54 Dakota Watson T 6-05 240 Jr.
56 Travis Gates G 5-11 190 Jr.
50 Jonah Graybeal C 5-11 175 Sr.
53 Tyler Dement G 6-00 205 Jr.
52 Blake Bowen T 6-00 220 Jr.
29 Cameron Meadows TE 5-11 200 Jr.
7 Derrek Smith QB 5-09 185 Jr.
24 Brandon Craft RB 5-11 160 Jr.
23 Tanner Mays RB 5-11 200 Sr.
22 Collin Webb RB 5-11 165 Jr.
8 Payton Hayes FB 5-06 160 So.
82 Tyler Ferguson PK 5-07 145 Sr.
DEFENSIVE LINEUP
No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.
48 Curtis Lybrand DE 5-06 170 Jr.
56 Travis Gates DE 5-11 190 Jr.
52 Blake Bowen DT 6-00 220 Jr.
54 Dakota Watson DT 6-05 240 Jr.
12 Jarod Sheppard DT 5-11 185 So.
29 Cameron Meadows DE 5-11 200 Jr.
7 Derrek Smith OLB 5-09 185 Jr.
53 Tyler Dement ILB 6-00 205 Jr.
50 Jonah Graybeal ILB 5-11 175 Sr.
24 Brandon Craft OLB 5-11 160 Jr.
22 Collin Webb CB 5-11 165 Jr.
11 Dillon McFann CB 6-01 175 Sr.
23 Tanner Mays S 5-11 200 Sr.
22 Collin Webb P 5-11 165 Jr.
Glouster Trimble Tomcats
DEFENSIVE LINEUP
No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.
34 Bryce Guthrie DE 6-05 220 Jr.
74 Tanner Koons T 6-05 290 Sr.
22 Cody Carroll NG 6-00 185 Sr.
62 Jacob Stevens DT 5-11 245 Jr.
72 T.J. Spears DT 6-00 240 Jr.
65 Micah Couch DE 6-06 220 Sr.
1 Terry Simerly LB 5-06 140 Sr.
40 Caullin Lunsford LB 5-11 180 Sr.
45 Dakota Smathers LB 5-09 155 Jr.
20 Justice Jenkins CB 6-01 190 Jr.
10 Austin Downs CB 6-01 165 Sr.
25 Cody Jones S 5-10 125 Jr.
OFFENSIVE LINEUP
No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.
80 Jacob Hardy WR 6-02 170 So.
1 Terry Simerly WR 5-06 140 Sr.
65 Micah Couch T 6-06 220 Sr.
68 Jonathon Roback G 6-01 240 Jr.
72 T.J. Spears C 6-00 240 Jr.
62 Jacob Stevens G 5-11 245 Jr.
74 Tanner Koons T 6-05 290 Sr.
34 Bryce Guthrie TE 6-05 220 Jr.
10 Austin Downs WR 6-01 165 Sr.
8 Andrew Losey QB 6-01 165 Jr.
40 Caullin Lunsford FB 5-11 180 Sr.
45 Dakota Smathers FB 5-09 155 Jr.
20 Justice Jenkins TB 6-01 190 Jr.
Symmes Valley Vikings
2014 Results
Symmes Valley 26 Huntington Ross 16
Symmes Valley 12 Alexander 21
Symmes Valley 18 Chesapeake 21
Symmes Valley 19 South Gallia 12
Symmes Valley 21 Northwest (OT) 24
Symmes Valley 42 Green 0
Symmes Valley 16 Sciotoville East 0
Symmes Valley 31 Oak Hill (OT) 28
Symmes Valley 34 Portsmouth Notre Dame 14
Symmes Valley 6 Danville 54
Record: 6-4 (Seventh in Region 25 of Division VII)
Glouster Trimble Tomcatrs
2014 Results
Glouster Trimble 34 Nelsonville-York 14
Glouster Trimble 57 Belpre 0
Glouster Trimble 41 South Gallia 12
Glouster Trimble 69 Waterford 0
Glouster Trimble 62 Corning Miller 6
Glouster Trimble 42 Wahama, W.Va. 0
Glouster Trimble 40 Racine Southern 6
Glouster Trimble 65 Reedsville Eastern 6
Glouster Trimble 37 Alexander 6
Glouster Trimble 60 Federal Hocking 12
Record: 10-0 (Second in Region 25 of Division VII)