Eastern routs Symmes Valley, remains undefeated
By: Louis Marko
Posted on:
BEAVER, Ohio (WOUB) – The Symmes Valley Vikings (6-0, 1-0 SOC-I) went on the road to face the Eastern Eagles (6-0, 1-0 SOC-I) in a highly anticipated conference matchup. With both teams undefeated heading into this game, huge SOC-I title implications were on the line. Ultimately, Eastern came out on top, 40-6.
Symmes Valley started with the ball, and Eastern’s Jack Montgomery set the tone with a sack that would lead to a Vikings punt. On the Eagles’ ensuing drive, they would capitalize with Montgomery doing it on the other side of the ball, as he opened the scoring with an 8-yard rushing touchdown. Eastern went up 7-0 after the extra point.
In what would be a recurring theme of the game, the Eagles’ defense was relentless, locking down the Vikings on their second drive, forcing a turnover on downs. The Eagles offense would take advantage again with QB Eric Manley Jr. completing a 38-yard strike to RB Trey Kelly. They would follow up with a 1-yard rushing touchdown from OL Brewer Tomlison. After the extra point, the Eagles’ advantage would grow to 14-0.
Eric Manley Jr. was not done as at the end of the 1st, and he would upstage his previous long pass with a 58-yard completion to WR Carson Peters. Manley would cap it off with a rushing touchdown of his own, making it 21-0 at the beginning of the second.
Eastern would put the game out of reach later in the quarter as Manley would find Trey Kelly again, this time for a 20-yard passing touchdown, making it 28-0. And after a goal line stand, the Eagles would drive all the way down the field and Manley would find WR Benjamin Bower for another 20-yard passing touchdown.
Eric Manley Jr. ended his night going 10-of-20 for 288 yards and three touchdowns. Jack Montgomery accompanied him with 11 carries for 65 rushing yards, a rushing touchdown, and a receiving touchdown. Overall, The Eastern Eagles showed a masterclass of stonewall defense and explosive offense from the ground and air. This overwhelmed Symms Valley and led to a decisive 40-6 victory.
The Symmes Valley Vikings drop to 6-1 and 1-1 in conference play. They look to bounce back against East next week. The Eastern Eagles stay undefeated, improving to 7-0 and 2-0 in conference play. They move on to another massive SOC-I matchup against undefeated Notre Dame.