By JOSH MORRISON

Tribune Staff

 

Willow Wood — When you make it to the playoffs, they say to be on guard for everything. The Symmes Valley Vikings overcame trick plays and forced Trimble into four turnovers in a 28-19 win in the first round of the Division 6, Region 23 playoffs.

Trimble (7-4) wasted little time getting on the scoreboard when the Tomcats opened the game with a reverse pass that was good for a gain of 44 yards. Four plays later, Justin Jewell capped the drive with a one-yard quarterback sneak. The extra-point was blocked, and the score was 6-0 with 10:06 remaining in the first.

Both teams traded punts throughout the remainder of the first quarter.

After forcing a Tomcat punt on the first possession of the second quarter, Symmes Valley faced a third down and 10 after a holding penalty. Quarterback Cody Myers found Jordan Fulford on a screen pass that resulted in a gain of 36. A dead-ball personal foul penalty on Trimble moved the ball to the 22. Five plays later, the Vikings faced a fourth and goal from the one but could not convert and Trimble took over on downs.

After forcing a Trimble three and out, the Vikings took over at the Trimble 48. After a loss of one on first down, quarterback Cody Myers found daylight for a gain of 25.

Four plays later, Alec Herrell capped the drive from nine yards out. Eli Ash added the extra-point, and the score was 7-6 at the half.

After forcing a Symmes Valley punt, Trimble’s Justin Jewell found Jacob Hooper, but he was stripped and the Vikings recovered at the Tomcat 27.

Five plays later, DJ Miller found the endzone from 16 yards out. Ash added the extra-point, and the score was 14-6 with 4:37 to go in the third.

After forcing a Trimble punt, Symmes Valley wasted little time on their next possession when Alec Herrell took the first play of the series 54-yards to the endzone. Ash added the extra point, and the score at the end of the third was 21-6. Herrell finished the game with 85 yards on 18 carries with two touchdowns.

Trimble forced a Symmes Valley punt on the second play of the fourth quarter, the Tomcats inched closer when Jewell capped an 8-play 64 yard drive from nine yards out. The extra point was no good, and the score was 21-12 with 7:54 to go in the game.

Another Symmes Valley three and out gave the ball to the Tomcats at their own 26. Trimble took to the air on their next possession, and Jewell found Wyatt Deak to cap a nine play, 74-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass. Chris Spears added the extra point, and the score was 21-19 with 4:29 to go in the game.

Symmes Valley (10-1) faced a fourth and inches, but a false start penalty moved the ball back five yards. After a Vikings punt, Trimble got the ball at their own 30. However, Jewell was intercepted on the first play by D.J. Miller.

The Vikings moved to the Trimble 17 but faced a fourth and one. After a timeout, quarterback Cody Myers found D.J. Miller on a slant route, and Miller outran the defender to the endzone. Ash added the extra-point, and the final score was set a 28-19.

D.J. Miller would intercept a late pass to seal the win for the Vikings. He led the Vikings with 118 yards on 15 carries with a touchdown. He also had one catch for 17 yards and a score, and added two interceptions on defense.

Symmes Valley will move on to face Beallsville in the Division VI, Region 23 semi-finals at a site to be determined by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

 

Trimble 6 0 0 13 – 19

Symmes Valley 0 7 14 7 – 28

First Quarter

Tr- Justin Jewell 1 run (kick blocked) 10:06

Second Quarter

SV- Alec Herrell 9 run (Eli Ash kick) 1:21

Third Quarter

SV- DJ Miller 16 run (Ash kick) 4:37

SV- Alec Herrell 54 run (Ash kick) 3:49

Fourth Quarter

Tr- Justin Jewell nine run (kick failed) 7:54

Tr- Wyatt Deak 15 pass from Jewell (Spears kick) 4:29

SV- DJ Miller 17 pass from Cody Myers (Ash kick) :56

TR SV

First downs 16 12

Rushes-yards 37-148 52-273

Passing yards 143 52

Total yards 291 325

Cmp-Att-Int 11-25-2 3-4-0

Penalties-yards 6-60 6-66

Punts/Avg. 4-30.0 5-29.4

 

Individual Leaders

RUSHING –Trimble: Konner Standley 6-60, Austin Keith 15-59, Justin Jewell 8-16 2-TD, Cyrus Jones 5-13; Symmes Valley: DJ Miller 15-118 TD, Alec Herrell 18-85 2-TD, Cody Myers 13-46, Austin Owens 2-18, Jordan Fulford 1-4, Tyler Rowe 2-3, Team 1-minus 1.

PASSING – Trimble: Justin Jewell 10-23-99 TD 2-INT, Konner Standley 1-2-44 ;Symmes Valley: Cody Myers 3-4-52 TD.

RECEIVING – Trimble: Wyatt Deak 3-67 TD, Konner Standley 5-57, Austin Downs 2-14, Jacob Hooper 1-5; Symmes Valley: Jordan Fulford 1-36, DJ Miller 1-17 TD, Alec Herrell 1-minus 1.