Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

WILLOW WOOD — The mules got the horses running.
The Symmes Valley Vikings opened the holes to generate 302 rushing yards in a 39-8 Southern Ohio Conference win over the Sciotoville East Tartans on Friday.
Ends Caleb Mullins, Luke Leith and Christian Gilbert, tackles Dwayne Eplin, Preston Counts and Isaac Ross, guards Gavan Yates and Eli Patterson, and center Tanner McComas were the key to the Vikings ground game that racked up 3-2 yards rushing.
“Our offensive line blocked well. East came out in a difference defense than we were expecting and we adjusted well. Any time you run for over 300 yards, you’re getting it done up front,” said Vikings’ coach Rusty Webb.
Josh Ferguson ran just seven times for 118 yards and two touchdowns and added a punt return for a score to pace the offense. Ethan Patterson had eight rushes for 69 yards and Jack Leith added 45 yards on seven carries.
Ferguson had a 9-yard scoring run in the first quarter to make it 6-0 and then returned a punt 60 yards for a score and it was 12-0.
Ferguson then got loose on a 45-yard scoring run and it was 18-0. Patterson’s 1-yard scoring run and Gavan Yates conversion kick made it 25-0 at the half.
The Vikings took the second half kickoff and drove for a score with Patterson scored on an 11-yard run and Yates’ conversion made it 32-0.
Patterson capped the Vikings’ scoring on a 28-yard touchdown scamper and Yates’ kick put the lead at 39-0.
East had just 86 total yards — only 6 passing — and three of the six first downs came on penalties.
“Defensively, I thought we flowed to the ball well and I thought we were very disciplined,” said Webb.
Next Friday, the Vikings host Portsmouth Notre Dame in an SOC game.
Sciotoville 0 0 0 8 = 8
Sym. Valley 12 13 14 0 = 39
First Quarter
SV — Josh Ferguson 9 run (kick failed)
SV — Josh Ferguson 60 punt return (kick failed)
Second Quarter
SV — Josh Ferguson 45 run (kick failed)
SV — Ethan Patterson 1 run (Gavan Yates kick)
Third Quarter
SV — Ethan Patterson 11 run (Gavan Yates kick)
SV — Ethan Patterson 28 run (Gavan Yates kick)
Fourth Quarter
SE — Leviticus Justice 1 run (Chase Coyle run)
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SE SV
First downs 6 16
Rushes-yards 39-80 36-302
Passing yards 6 7
Total yards 86 309
Cmp-Att-Int 1-6-1 1-3-0
Fumbles-lost 1-1 2-2
Penalties-yards 1-15 16-116
Punts-average 6-24.5 0-00.0
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Individual Leaders
RUSHING —Sciotoville East: Leviticus Justice 18-75, Chase Coyle 10-3; Symmes Valley: Nick Strow 5-44, Ethan Patterson 8-69, Levi Ross 1-0, Alec Beckett 5-3, Levi Niece1-1, Jack Leith 7-45, Luke Leith 1-1, Caleb Mullins 1-21, Josh Ferguson 7-118.
PASSING — Sciotoville East: Austin Baughman 1-6-1 6; Symmes Valley: Jack Leith 1-3-0 7.
RECEIVING — Sciotoville East: Leviticus Justice 1-6; Symmes Valley: Josh Ferguson 1-7.