Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

BEAVER — A new offense but old results.
The Symmes Valley Vikings’ wing-T offense is still using ball-control as they downed the Beaver Eastern Eagles 33-20 in a Southern Ohio Conference game on Friday.
The Vikings had 295 total yards — all on the ground — as they improved to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the SOC.
“The kids are doing better running our new offense. And other than three or four plays, our defense played well. Eastern is a very quick team. They’re capable of scoring from anywhere on the field,” said Vikings’ coach Rusty Webb.
“I’m pleased with our effort and our kids are doing a good job.”
Layken Gothard ran 18 times for 148 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Vikings’ ground game.
Derik Brace had 63 yards on 14 carries and Keifer Wilson added 52 yards on 14 tries.
Eastern came out and drove for a score as Dalton Tomlison went 3 yards for a touchdown and it was 6-0.
The Vikings answered with an 82-yard drive capped by Gothard’s 48-yard scoring jaunt and Wilson’s conversion kick made it 7-6.
Drake Myers then hit Parker Clemmons with a 24-yard scoring pass and the duo combined for the conversion and the Eagles led 14-7.
But Symmes Valley then drove 76 yards to score as Gothard ran 4 yards for the TD and it was 14-13.
Gothard had a second 4-yard scoring run and Wilson hit Austin Mannon with the conversion pass as the Vikings went up for good at 21-14.
Eastern drove to the 3-yard line but Austin Waugh came up with one of his two interceptions on the night.
The Vikings fumbled the ball back but then Jack Leith forced a fumble and Brace scooped up the football and ran it 25 yards for a touchdown and it was 27-14 at the half.
Brock Carpenter came up with an interception in the third quarter that set up a 2-yard scoring run by Gothard as the Vikings built a 33-14 lead.
Eastern scored on a 24-yard pass from Myers to Clemmons, but the Vikings ran off the final six minutes of the game to seal the win.
Sym. Valley    7    20    6    0    =    33
Eastern     6    8    0    6    =    20
First Quarter
BE — Dalton Tomlison 3 run (pass failed)
SV — Layken Gothard 48 run (Keifer Wilson kick)
Second Quarter
BE — Parker Clemmons 24 pass from Drake Myers (Clemmons pass from Myers)
SV — Layken Gothard 4 run (kick failed)
SV — Layken Gothard 4 run (Austin Mannon pass from Keifer Wilson)
SV — Derik Brace 25 fumble return (kick failed)
Third Quarter
SV — Layken Gothard 2 run (kick failed)
Fourth Quarter
BE — Parker Clemmons 24 pass from Drake Myers (pass failed)
———
SV    BE
First downs    17    14
Rushes-yards    49-295    24-59
Passing yards    0    168
Total yards    295    227
Cmp-Att-Int    0-1-0    10-17-3
Fumbles-lost    1-1    2-1
Penalties-yards    6-50    6-47
Punts-average    3-28.3    2-28.5
Individual Leaders
RUSHING —Symmes Valley: Austin Waugh 1-15, Derik Brace 14-63, Derek Crum 2-7, Keifer Wilson 14-52, Layken Gothard 18-148; Eastern: Drake Myers 11-17, Ocie Jennings 7-26.
PASSING — Symmes Valley: Keifer Wilson 0-1-0; Eastern: Drake Myers 10-17-3 168.
RECEIVING — Symmes Valley: None; Eastern: Parker Clemmons 4-72, Cole Haislop 2-32, Jennings 1-14, Logan Clemmons 2-48.