MERCERVILLE - It's all about being in control.

The Symmes Valley Vikings were in control Friday night, and they have their offensive line to thank.

Behind the blocking of Caleb Bland, Jon Dillon, Alex Burnett, Derrik Cremeans, Eli Bowling, Seth Colegrove and Chris Elswick, the Vikings piled up 322 yards on the ground en route to a 26-8 win over the South Gallia Rebels.

"I thought our offensive line controlled the game," Vikings coach Rusty Webb said. "Caleb Bland, Jon Dillon, Eli Bowling, Seth Colegrove, Chris Elswick

really did an outstanding job."

The blocking up front enabled Cory Burcham to run wild. The junior running back had 164 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown. Quarterback Craig Neal ran 11 times for 68 yards and completed 3 of 6 passes for 58 yards including his first career touchdown pass.

Derek Carpenter added 46 yards on 12 attempts.

"Cory Burcham, Derek Carpenter, Justin Holland and Craig Neal all did a great job offensively running and blocking for each other," Webb said.

Symmes Valley, 3-1, took the lead on a 2-yard run by Neal. The conversion kick failed and it was 6-0.

Carpenter's 1-yard run capped a scoring drive that put the Vikings up 12-0. Burcham added the conversion run and the lead was 14-0.

South Gallia got within 14-8 in the second quarter on a 3-yard run by Kurt Waugh. Jason Lewis threw to Jason Waugh on the extra point play.

But the Vikings answered with a 5-yard scoring run by Burcham to lead 20-8 at the half.

In the third quarter, Neal threw his first varsity TD pass when he hooked up with Cremeans on a 45-yard play that opened up a 26-8 lead.

"The only time we hurt ourselves was with penalties," Webb said as the Vikings were whistled six times for 79 yards.

Symmes Valley's defense limited the Rebels to just 69 yards rushing, 125 total yards and six first downs.

Sym. Valley14660-26

South Gallia0080-8

First Quarter

SV - Craig Neal 2

run (kick failed)

SV - Derek Carpenter 1 run (Cory Burcham run)

Second Quarter

SG - Kurt Waugh 3 run (Jason Waugh pass from Jason Lewis)

SV - Cory Burcham 5 run (kick failed)

Third Quarter

SV -

Derrik Cremeans 45 pass from Craig Neal (kick failed)

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SVSG

First downs196

Rushes-yards58-32228-69

Passing yards5866

Total yards380125

Cmp-Att-Int3-7-14-10-1

Fumbles-lost2-13-3

Penalties-yards6 6-791-15

Punts 1-31.01-35.0

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Individual Leaders

RUSHING - Symmes Valley: Cory Burcham 20-164, Craig Neal 11-68, Derek Carpenter 12-46, Matt Owens 8-17, Justin Holland 3-7, Chad Artrip 2-13, Seth Saunders 1-8, Justin Chaffin 1-minus 1. East: Curtis Waugh 16-82, J. Workman 4-2, Josh Waugh 8-minus 15.

PASSING - Symmes Valley: Craig Neal 3-6-0

58, Cory Burcham 0-1-1. South Gallia: Josh Waugh 4-10-1

66.

Receiving: Derek Carpenter 1-3, Derrik Cremeans 1-45, Cory Burcham 1-10. South Gallia: Jason Merrick 2-21, Mike Cardwell 1-25, Josh Meadows 1-10.