Playoff Preview: Vikings ready to take on underdog role

WILLOW WOOD — For coach Ben Ferguson and the Symmes Valley Vikings, they'll be sailing into uncharted waters.

The Vikings will be playing the role of a heavy underdog on Friday night when they travel north to face the defending state-runner up Hillsdale Falcons in the Division 7 regional semifinals at Hillsdale Falcon Community Stadium.

For the Falcons, they were a preseason favorite to return to the state championship with a possible rematch against Marion Local.

But standing in their way is the Symmes Valley Vikings, who exceed all expectations after finishing 3-6 in 2024 and returning with just two seniors.

According to Drew Pastuer's Fantastic 50 website, the Falcons are a 38-point favorite and are easily the toughest opponent the Vikings have faced in program history.

And despite the challenge ahead of them, Ferguson and his team have nothing but positive feelings for their showdown with the Falcons.

"We look forward to the challenge and, like always, are excited to have the opportunity to go 1-0 this week and control the things we can."

However, Ferguson is well aware that Hillsdale will be their biggest challenge of the season.

"We know Hillsdale is a good opponent. Anytime a team comes off of a state runner-up trophy last year and only graduates a few players, it gets your attention," said Ferguson. "Coach Cline has built a phenomenal program in his tenure and his staff has also done a terrific job."

The Falcons seemingly have weapons everywhere you look on the offensive side of the ball, starting with quarterback Kael Lewis. The junior signal caller is close to surpassing 2,000 yards passing on the season and has thrown 23 touchdowns and ran for another 10.

Some of Lewis' main targets when he goes to throw will be Kyle Turk, Brock Bower, Knox Lewis, and Hayden McFadden.

McFadden currently owns two school records with 1,369 receiving yards and 18 touchdown catches in 2024. This season, McFadden is the teams' leading receiver with around 600 yards.

The ground game will be headlined by Owen Sloan, who is right around 1,500 yards for the season.

"They are dangerous both through the air and on the ground. They also play very physical on defense and fly to the ball."

The Falcons defense will be headed by linebacker Brady Heller and Bower at defensive back. In 2024, Heller set a school record with 150 tackles. So far in 2025, Bower has 76 tackles on the season and will be the top priority for the Vikings if they want to run the football on Friday.

Kickoff is set for 7:00 P.M.

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OHSAA Division 7, Regional Semifinals

Symmes Valley Vikings (9-2) at Hillsdale Falcons (10-1)

Time: Friday, November 14, 7:00 PM

Where: Hillsdale Falcons Community Stadium, Jeromesville, OH

Key Matchup to Watch:

Symmes Valley pass defense vs. Hillsdale passing attack

The Falcons like to spread the ball around to all their players on the field. The good thing for the Vikings is they are accustomed to that style of offense because they do the same. So the defensive backfield will be ready for anything thrown at them.

Impact Players to Watch:

Jackson Fields, Symmes Valley

Fields has been able to find the holes in the defense all season and make some circus catches when there's little room to work with. He's going to have to find every hole he can Friday and maybe even make a few of his own.

Kael Lewis, Hillsdale

The junior QB is the straw that stirs the drink for the Falcon offense. He's good at distributing the ball and even knows how to use his legs when he needs to.