2025 Football Preview: Symmes Valley Vikings

WILLOW WOOD — They say age is but a number. Unless that number refers to the age of your football team.

With just two seniors on the roster, Symmes Valley Vikings’ head coach Ben Ferguson is playing a numbers game when it comes to his team.

“I think we have a very large number of a young core in our lower grades. Our two seniors that we do have have been asked to step up the last couple of years, so hopefully that shows. They’ve been doing really well so far showing these young guys the way we do things and bringing them along,” said Ferguson.

“We have a sophomore group right now that a lot of them as freshmen had to play immediately. They think they’re ready but they don’t know until that ball is snapped in a varsity game. The speed’s different.  You’re 14-, 15-years old hitting an 18-year-old, things come into play.”

The only seniors are four-year starters Andy Stow and Tucker Ross. Ferguson said the younger players are being asked to perform like older players since they have had some valuable playing experience.

“The good news is that to me that sophomore group is really like juniors because they’ve had so much experience early on,” said Ferguson.

“And the young guys who are here, they’re workers and they understand they could have their number called at any time. They’ve really embraced what we’ve asked them to do. Some will be asked to step up before they’re ready. That’s small school football. That’s what you’re asked to do.”

One thing that will be a major test for the team is the schedule, mainly the non-league part that includes Meigs, South Point, Chesapeake, River Valley and Lancaster Fairfield Christian.

“FCA is our size, but all the others are bigger. The thought process is, you play some better competition in the area, and hopefully when you get to the league, what are they going to throw at you? You’ve already seen the bigger teams, you’ve seen teams with more depth, you see some better speed, better strength,” said Ferguson.

By playing a tougher non-league schedule, Ferguson hopes it helps his players gain important experience.

“The first two years, no matter if you’ve got the guys in the right spot, there’s no substitute for experience. Now, we’re working out those kinks. I think we made some pretty big strides last year, not only in the passing game but in the running game, too,” said Ferguson.

QUARTERBACK

Back at the helm will be sophomore Bronx Carpenter (6-1, 160) who began last season by suffering a broken collarbone and missed the first part of the season.

But when he returned, he picked up where he was in the preseason and played well and that has carried over to this season.

“Bronx had really taken that role, taken the offense, taken  a lot of leadership in it and really grown as a player this year,” said Ferguson.

Behind Carpenter is another sophomore Jordan Nance (5-9, 160) and did not play last season but did play in junior high.

“He’s been taking those second string reps. He's shown great growth and he’s done everything we’ve asked of him,” said Ferguson. “He got behind but he didn’t play last year. He’s doing everything he can to make the year up.”

RUNNING BACK

Sophomore Asher Maynard (6-2, 215) and junior Ayden Freeman (5-6, 200) will share the backfield duties as they look to replace All-Ohio all-purpose running back Will Jones.

“Both are showing a lot of growth,” said Ferguson. “Both of them are very capable and there might be a time when you see both of them on the field. They’ve both been doing well.”

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Vikings return senior Tucker Ross (6-0, 270) and junior Caleb Mount (6-1, 200). Ross figures to be the center with Mount playing left tackle.

“Both are very experienced, both have played at least three years,” said Ferguson.

The other line positions remain up in the air with several linemen in the mix. The group includes juniors Zane Wilson (6-4, 210), Jarod Neff (5-6, 185). Trey Campbell (5-6, 255) and Jaxon Gates (5-7, 150) and sophomore Cooper Bumgardner (5-10, 255).

“We have some guys in the junior class who didn’t come out until this year but are showing great strides. Zane Wilson looks like a potential tackle. Cooper Bumgardner is pushing for some time at tackle, Trey Campbell is the sixth guy the past couple of years but looks like he’s going to take over one guard spot,” said Ferguson.

“The other guard spot will be Jarod Neff. He’s a junior who didn’t come out until this year. He’s strong and athletic and pushing for some time as is Jaxon Gates. He’s been here through seventh grade and is pushing for playing time.”

WIDE RECEIVER

The top returning players are junior Gradee Holland (6-0, 170) and sophomore Levi Russell (6-1, 155) on the outside with senior Andy Strow (6-0, 175) the H-Back as well as sophomore Jackson Fields (5-10, 165).

“Both of them saw a lot of time last year. They’ve kind of solidified themselves on the outside,” said Ferguson.

“Our other two spots, Andy Strow has had a lot of playing time and he’s shown a lot of good things. Fields has shown a lot of good growth. Those are our four core receivers, but it’s not set in stone. It’s early and you have to have more than just four. Those guys have the most experience so they’re kind of on their own level.”

DEFENSIVE LINE

The Vikings will utilize the 4-foreman front and even the two-man format but can shift to a 3-man front depending on the opponent and formation.

Ross played some end last year but has shifted to tackle. Campbell should be the other tackle.

“Both of them have shown a lot of growth,” said Ferguson.

Mount is back at defensive end but has played some inside linebacker in record years. The other end position is up in the air between Wilson, Neff and freshman Mason Adams (6-0, 175).

LINEBACKERS

On the inside will have Maynard and Freeman. Ferguson said Maynard has some experience but both are learning the ropes.

Mount could play on the outside again if he’s not needed at end. On the other side will be freshman Beckhem Roth (5-10, 175).

“Roth’s big thing will be adjusting to the speed of the game,” said Ferguson.

SECONDARY

The cornerbacks should be Holland and Russell. Fields has been a bright spot and he will be the safety.

“I think we’re going to be a lot faster as a defense. We lost a lot of seniors and we graduated a lot of size,” said Ferguson.

“I think what we’re missing in size we’re making up for in experience and speed. Inside we’ve got some sizes.”

KICKING GAME

Carpenter will be the punter and Ferguson said he “has been kicking well.” Campbell has the most consistent placekicker.

SOC

Ferguson said the Southern Ohio Conference should be competitive again but he still puts Beaver Eastern as the favorite.

“I think the league is going to be tough again like it always is. Beaver (Eastern) is coming off a three-peat. They certainly seem poised to possibly four-peat. I know they have a big senior class that’s very capable,” said Ferguson.

“East, South Gallia, Notre Dame, Green, they all have a lot tradition-wise. They have guys who have been there a lot of years, so it’s going to be tough every day.”

2025 Symmes Valley Football Roster

No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Gr.

  1 Andy Strow  WR-LB 6-00 175 Sr.

  2 Levi Russell WR-DB 6-01 155 So.

  3 Gradee Holland WR-DB 6-00 170 Jr.

  4 Beckem Roth WR-LB 5-10 175 Fr.

  5 Bronx Carpenter QB-DB 6-01 160 So.

  6 Jackson Fields WR-DB 5-10 165 So.

  7 J.R. Turner WR-DB 5-07 145 So.

  8 Michael Weaver RB-LB 5-08 165 So.

  9 Jordan Nance QB-DB 5-09 160 So.

11 Colton Taylor WR-LB 5-10 165 Fr.

12 Mason Adams RB-DE 6-00 175 Fr.

22 Asher Maynard RB-LB 6-02 215 So.

32 Hayden Holbrook WR-DB 5-10 175 Jr.

44 Aydan Freeman RB-LB 5-06 200 Jr.

50 Zayne Wilson OL-DE 6-04 210 Jr.

51 Tucker Ross OL-DL 6-00 270 Sr.

53 Caleb Mount OL-DL 6-01 200 Jr.

54 Jaxon Gates  OL-LB 5-07 150 Jr.

55 Cooper Baumgardner OL-DL 5-10 255 So.

57 Chase Adkins OL-DE 5-10 170 Jr.

60 Jarod Neff OL-DE 5-08 185 Jr.

66 Bentley Martin OL-DL 5-08 240 Fr.

69 Carson Brammer OL- DE 6-00 200 Fr.

72 Trey Campbell OL-DL 5-06 255 Jr.

75 Wyatt Hedrick OL-DL 6-00 255 Fr.

77 Zayden Sandman OL-DL 6-05 340 Fr.

Head coach: Ben Ferguson

Assistant coaches: Trent Carpenter, Brad Carpenter, Eric Holland, John Coriell, Nate Colegrove, Caleb Eplion, Mike Roth, Chris Lafon, Kyle Meadows.

2025 Schedule

Aug. 22 CHESAPEAKE 7:00PM

Aug. 29 at Meigs 7:00PM

Sept. 5 RIVER VALLEY 7:00PM

Sept. 12 SOUTH POINT 7:00PM

Sept. 19 at Fairfield Christian 7:00PM

Sept. 26 GREEN# 7:00PM

Oct. 3 at Beaver Eastern# 7:00PM

Oct. 10 SCIOTOVILLE EAST# 7:00PM

Oct. 17 NOTRE DAME# 7:00PM

Oct. 24 at South Gallia# 7:00PM

#- Denotes SOC 1 game