Vikings continue offensive dominance in tournament games
By: Eli Baxter
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WILLOW WOOD, Ohio (WOUB) — The Symmes Valley Vikings took home-field advantage over the Shadyside Tigers to keep their season alive. They will play in next week’s Division Seven, Region 27 Championship game after their 56-22 victory.
Shadyside found their way into the Regional Semi-Final matchup against the Vikings after a comeback victory over Eastern last week. After being down by numerous scores, the Tigers’ passing game led them to the one-point victory.
They found themselves in a similar situation against Symmes Valley, though they could not complete the comeback. Bronx Carpenter from the Vikings threw for three touchdowns in the first half and carried one in by himself to give Symmes Valley the lead 35-7. The final touchdown before the break was scored by Asher Maynard with only a few seconds left on the game clock.
On the first drive of the night, Carpenter capped it off with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Isaacs. Symmes Valley would score once more before the end of the quarter. This was off a deep 73-yard scoring pass to Beckem Roth.
Shadyside would get on the board for their first time just after the beginning of the second quarter to draw one possession closer. This wouldn’t be nearly enough as the Vikings would score three more times in the half. Once on a Carpenter scramble from two yards out, and a long pass to Jackson Fields from their own side of the field. The final touchdown before the break was scored by Asher Maynard with only a few seconds left on the game clock.
In the second, it was more of the same. The Vikings took the win to advance one step closer to the state championship. Before then, they must play Danville in the regional championship next week.
The Blue Devils were undefeated in the regular season and claimed the Know Morrow Conference (KMC) trophy. In the regional semi-finals, Danville dominated Toronto, 46-0. This was no easy feat as the Red Knights only lost one previous game. Danville has not allowed any points in the playoffs so far. In their first game of the playoffs, they also shutout Lucas.
Symmes Valley and Danville will battle for the Regional Championship trophy at a neutral sight location next week which is yet to be determined.