Symmes Valley shuts out Fairfield Christian, stays undefeated
By: Nick Sinclair
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LANCASTER, Ohio (WOUB) – The Symmes Valley Vikings (4-0) travel to take on the Fairfield Christian Academy Knights (2-2) in their fifth matchup. Symmes Valley came in with a lead in the series, 4-0. FCA was looking to beat them for the first time, but in the end, Symmes Valley would win 29-12.
The game started with FCA kicking the ball off to Symmes Valley, where RB Asher Maynard took the kick all the way to the Knights’ 1-yard line. Maynard, on the next play, scored a touchdown to put the Vikings up 7-0 early in the first quarter.
The Knights did not go down easily, as they drove their way down the field. However, Jackson Fields of the Symmes Valley defense came up with a huge interception in the end zone on a deep pass. Symmes Valley sent its offense back on the field at its 20-yard line.
But it was not just the Vikings’ defense having fun, as shortly after, Zack Price of FCA intercepted Carpenter’s pass and ran out of bounds at their 1-yard line.
The next play saw FCA try to run the ball, but the Vikings’ defense stopped the run and then some to force a safety, increasing Symmes Valley’s lead to 9-0.
Symmes Valley did not let the momentum go to waste, as on the drive following the safety, Carpenter found Fields deep downfield to set the Vikings up for first-and-goal at the Knights’ 5-yard line. Maynard would cap off the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run, but their extra-point attempt would be no good, which would make the score 15-0 Vikings with 5:13 left in the first quarter.
Brayden Stem and the Knights’ offense would go back out onto the field, looking for a spark. They found a spark as on a third-and-long, as Stem connected with TJ Blair downfield to put FCA at the Symmes Valley 4-yard line. However, the Symmes Valley defense came up strong with three straight stops, forcing a field goal. The Vikings’ defense was not done as they blocked the field goal.
The Knights’ defense came up strong, stopping the Vikings’ offense on their next drive. The Knights drove back down the field. Brayden Stem came up huge for FCA as he rushed the ball into the end zone for the Knights’ first score of the game. However, FCA would elect to go for 2 points, and would not convert on it. The score stood 15-6 Vikings with 11:24 remaining in the second quarter.
Symmes Valley looked to bounce back on offense, and they did exactly that. The Vikings drove down the field all the way to the FCA 2-yard line. Maynard got his third touchdown of the half and help the Vikings extend their lead to 21-6 after a failed 2-point conversion.
But FCA refuses to go down without a fight, as they pushed their drive to around midfield. But Symmes Valley’s defense would force a third situation. But Stem would not back down as he would find TJ Blair in the end zone to make the score 21-12 after they would fail to convert on a 2-point conversion.
The third quarter saw FCA get the ball first and have a 5:30-minute opening drive, but the Symmes Valley defense got a big stop. That led to Bronx Carpenter finding Jackson Fields open down field for a 42-yard touchdown. Along with the touchdown, Symmes Valley converted on their 2-point conversion attempt, to make the score 29-12 Vikings with 2:38 left in the third quarter.
For the rest of the game, both defenses would stop the opposing offenses from scoring.
Symmes Valley looks to extend its undefeated season as they play the Green Bobcats. While Fairfield Christian looks to get back in the win column as they play Bishop Rosecrans.