CHILLICOTHE - An old tradition met an up-and-coming one.

The Newark Catholic Green Wave hold the state record for playoff appearances and boast seven state titles. But Friday night they found a new kid on the block as the Symmes Valley Vikings used a dominating running game to win 16-3 in the Division VI Region 23 semifinals.

"That was a big win. Newark Catholic is what everyone in Division VI is measured on and I mean no disrespect for any of the other teams. They have a great tradition. I think we proved we belong with the top teams. I think we earned some respect tonight," Vikings coach Rusty Webb said.

The Vikings (10-1) rushed 61 times for 307 yards while the defense limited the Green Wave to 124 total yards and just 52 rushing.

Justin Holland led the Vikings ground game with 114 yards on 26 carries. Cory Burcham had 117 yards and Derek Carpenter added 72 yards.

"We dominated the line of scrimmage. Our offensive line and defensive fronts did a super job. Our backs all ran well. Justin Holland the last couple of weeks has really come on. He's played super football," Webb said.

"All of our backs have been blocking really well for each other. The only stat our team is interested in is the win or the loss. These kids are an absolute joy to coach."

Not only did the Vikings stuff the run, the secondary shut down the Green Wave passing game.

"Our secondary has done a great job of covering and our front four have done a wonderful job getting to the quarterback and not letting him get comfortable in the pocket. We had a couple of breakdowns, but that's nothing we can't fix," Webb said.

Symmes Valley drove deep in Green Wave territory early but missed a 25-yard field goal.

Newark Catholic moved the ball with a couple of first downs before the Vikings held and got the ball back at their own 47.

Symmes Valley then drove 53 yards in nine plays for the game's first score.

A key play was a 15-yard reception by Burcham on a third-and-4 play that kept the drive alive and got the ball to the 3-yard line. Two plays later Holland ran 1-yard for the touchdown and Burcham's conversion kick put the lead at 7-0.

Neither team scored the rest of the half, but Newark Catholic got the ball after a short punt deep in Symmes Valley territory in the third quarter. Quarterback Michael Taylor scrambled 24 yards to the 5, but the Vikings held on three straight plays and forced David Tung to kick a 22-yard field goal.

Newark Catholic got to the 23 in the third quarter, but a fourth down pass interference call backed the ball up to the 46 as the Green Wave turned the ball over on downs.

Nine plays later Burcham scored from 5 yards out and the lead was 13-3.

"Our offensive line has really come together the last two weeks," Webb said. "(Center) Eli Bowling did an outstanding job controlling (Derek) Moore which allowed us to establish Holland. And Jon Dillon did a good job when they switched Moore over to try and stop our off-tackle."

Late in the game, Newark Catholic failed to get a first down deep in their own territory and the Vikings used a 23-yard field goal by Burcham with 2:41 left to seal the victory.

The Vikings will now play Danville next Friday in the regional finals. The site will be announced Sunday, possibly at Circleville or Lancaster.

Symmes Valley and Newark Catholic have played three times with the Green Wave winning the previous two meetings.

Newark Catholic0030-3

Sym. Valley07010-16

First Quarter

SV - Justin Holland 1 run (Cory Burcham kick)

Third Quarter

NC - David Tung 22 field goal xxx

SV - Cory Burcham 5 run (kick failed) xxx

Fourth Quarter

&t;SV - Cory Burcham 23 field goal 2:41

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NCSV

First downs1117

Rushes-yards27-5261-308

Passing yards7217

Total yards124325

Cmp-Att-Int6-17-12-3-0

Fumbles-lost0-02-1

Punts-average5-27.83-22.0

Penalties-yards2-306-50

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Individuals Leaders

RUSHING - Newark Catholic: Zack McPherson 9-22, Michael Taylor 12-23, Trent Nutter 5-7. Symmes Valley: Cory Burcham 18-117, Justin Holland 26-114, Derek Carpenter 12-72.

PASSING - Newark Catholic: Michael Taylor 6-20-1 72. Symmes Valley: Craig Neal 2-3-0 17.

RECEIVING - Newark Catholic: Nick Adams 2-29, Joey Miceli 2-18, Jeremy Hill 1-2, Ray Howard 1-23. Symmes Valley: Cory Burcham 1-19, Derek Carpenter 1-minus 2.

MISSED FIELD GOALS: Symmes Valley, Cory Burcham 25 (WR).