RACINE — When the running game is working, why bother with the pass?

That’s what Symmes Valley coach Rusty Webb was thinking Friday night in the season opener as the Vikings racked up 333 total yards — all on the ground —and rolled past the Southern Tornadoes 31-14 in the season opener.

“Any time you rush for over 300 yards, you have some guys getting it done on the offensive line,” said Vikings coach Rusty Webb. “We didn’t throw a pass, but there’s no need to throw it if they can’t stop you on the ground.”

Quarterback Chris Capper led the ground game with 136 yards on just eight carries with Evan Herrell adding 77 yards on four attempts. Gage Patterson ran eight times for 45 yards and Kyle Bowen added 37 yards on nine tries.

“We made a lot of mistakes we need to work on, but we’re happy to get the win. We looked sloppy at times, but we knew that would happen with the young team we have,” said Webb.

Symmes Valley scored on the fourth play of its first possession in the second quarter when Capper scooted 60 yards for a touchdown. Cody Bland kicked the point after.

On their next possession, the Vikings went 51 yards in 11 plays only to have the drive stall. But the Vikings still got something out of the drive as Bland booted a 25-yard field goal with 2:41 left in the half.

“The kids were able to go through the adjustments. From the second quarter on, the kids played very well,” said Webb. “Herrell, Bland, and Capper all had super games.”

“A lot of our sophomores who played as freshmen stepped it up when they had to. That’s when our experience came into play.”

Southern managed to score two fourth quarter touchdowns and avoid the upset.

Symmes Valley010147=31

Southern00014=14

Second Quarter

SV - Chris Capper 60 run (Cody Bland kick) 9:59

SV - Cody Bland 25 FG 2:41

Third Quarter

SV - Evan Herrell 65 run (Bland kick) 8:42

SV - Chris Capper 7 run (Bland kick) 2:59

Fourth Quarter

RS - Greg Jenkins 18 run (run failed) 11:44

RS - Gage Paterson 7 run (Bland kick) 9:12

RS - Jenkins 11 run (Jenkins run) 1:04

SVRS

First downs1020

Rushes-yards40-33342-117

Passing yards044

Total yards333161

Cmp-Att-Int0-0-06-13-2

Fumbles-lost2-12-2

Penalties-yards9-1283-21

Punts-average2-29.04-31.5

Individual Leaders

RUSHING-Symmes Valley: Chris Capper 8-136, Evan Herrell 4-77, Gage Patterson 8-45, Kyle Bowen 9-37, Jacob Patterson 4-16, Hunter Boggs 4-16, Jesse Greybeal 3-6. Southern: Greg Jenkins 18-82, Anthony Shamblin 6-35.

PASSING-Symmes Valley: None. Southern: Ryan Chamblin 5-10-2

39, Justin Porter 1-3-0 5.

RECEIVING-Symmes Valley: None. Southern: Justin Porter 2-24, Michael Manuel 2-18, Eric Buzzard 1-5, Luke Dillard 1-3.