Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

MERCERVILLE — Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And the Symmes Valley Vikings saw a beautiful sight on Saturday night.
The Vikings overcame penalties and turnovers to make some big plays and rally past the South Gallia Rebels 14-12.
“This wasn’t a pretty win, but it was enjoyable to watch the kids fight and earn it, especially at the end. That’s something we can build,” said Vikings’ head coach Rusty Webb.
The Vikings’ defense turned in a strong effort as they overcame 13 penalties for 127 yards — mostly on the offensive side of the ball.
Gavan Yates had a fumble return for a score and Josh Ferguson had two interceptions, the second sealing the victory.
“Christian Gilbert, Kayson Adkins, Dwayne Eplin, Eli Patterson and Derek Crum all did a nice job up front along with Preston Counts and Tanner McComas who rotated in there. They ate up blockers and let the linebackers make tackles,” said Webb.
“Offensively, we struggled with penalties. But our kids never quit fighting. They played hard the whole game.”
The Rebels broke the scoreless tie with a 10-yard pass from Tristan Saber to Kenny Siders with 9:26 left in the third quarter and it was 6-0.
The Vikings fumbled the ensuing kickoff to set up the Rebels’ second touchdown as Kyle Northup ran 3 yards for the score.
Both South Gallia touchdowns came on fourth down plays.
“We ran four plays in the third quarter. Turnovers and penalties killed us. We just didn’t have the ball,” said Webb.
The Vikings finally got the ball on offense in the fourth quarter.
Jack Leith forced a fumble, scooped it up and ran it to the Rebels’ 36-yard line. On the next play, Leith bolted into the end zone to cut the deficit to 12-6. Leith also ran for the conversion and it was 12-8 with 11:01 to play.
“Our offensive line executed their blocks when they needed to,” said Webb.
A fumble played into the second Vikings’ touchdown as Gavan Yates picked up a loose ball and returned it 43 yards for the score.
The conversion kick failed.
The Vikings host Fairfield Christian on Friday.
Sym. Valley 0 0 0 14 = 14
South Gallia 0 0 12 0 = 12
Third Quarter
SG — Kenny Siders 10 pass from Tristan Saber (pass failed) 9:26
SG — Kyle Northup 3 run (run failed) 6:50
Fourth Quarter
SV — Jack Leith 36 run (Leith run) 11:01
SV — Gavan Yates 43 fumble recovery (kick failed) 4:03
—————
SV SG
First downs 6 11
Rushes-yards 37-130 41-207
Passing yards 4 28
Total yards 134 235
Cmp-Att-Int 1-4-0 3-11-3
Fumbles-lost 4-2 5-2
Penalties-yards 13-127 6-45
—————
Individual Leaders
RUSHING —Symmes Valley: Nick Strow 7-16, Josh Ferguson 10-33, Jack Leith 14-59, Derek Crum 3-15, Ethan Patterson 2-7, team 3-minus 8; South Gallia: Kyle Northup 30-149, Tristan Saber 8-44, Kenny Siders 2-20, team 1-minus 6.
PASSING — Symmes Valley: Jack Leith 1-3-0 4, Josh Ferguson 0-1-0; South Gallia Tristan Saber 3-10-3 28, Kyle Northup 0-1-0.
RECEIVING — Symmes Valley: Ethan Patterson 1-4; South Gallia: Justin Butler 2-18, Kenny Siders 1-10.