Vikings take back paddle with dominating performance

Symmes Valley's Zayne Wilson records a sack. (Photo by Kayla Niece)

Chesapeake's Peyton Muncy tries to find a hole to run through. (Photo by Kayla Niece)

Chesapeake's Aaden Nester-Howard fires a pass. (Photo by Josh Wilson)

Symmes Valley's Asher Maynard gains yards up the sidelines. (Photo by Josh Wilson)

WILLOW WOOD — A smothering defense, a 3 touchdown game from Asher Maynard, and 2 touchdown passes from Bronx Carpenter helped the Symmes Valley Vikings rout the Chesapeake Panthers to the tune of 35-0 on Friday night at Viking Stadium.

The win not only gave the Vikings their first win over rival Chesapeake since 2021, but also brought home the boat paddle traveling trophy.

The Vikings capitalized on two turnovers in the first quarter to set the tone.

Maynard made the first big play on the defensive side, intercepting a pass on the third play from scrimmage to give the Vikings the ball at the Panther 43. Then on the offensive side, Maynard lined up as the quarterback on a 1st-and-goal play and followed his blockers into the end zone for a 3-yard score.

Miguel Ferreira added the extra point to make it 7-0

Things continued to go the Vikings' way on the ensuing kickoff, as the kick was mishandled by an upback and Aydan Freeman came up with the ball in a scrum at the 37.

The Vikings (1-0) cashed in 4 plays later when Bronx Carpenter hit Levi Russell in stride for a 25-yard touchdown toss. Ferreira split the uprights to make it 14-0.

Carpenter had an efficient night behind center, going 19 of 23 for 174 yards. The sophomore threw his second touchdown on a scramble drill play, finding Andy Strow along the far sideline and the senior cruised into the end zone with 18 seconds remaining before halftime.

The Panthers — who came into the game with a lot of youth and inexperience — struggled offensively, as a relentless Viking defense reeked havoc in the Chesapeake backfield all game, registering 5 sacks and giving up 20 yards of total offense.

Both Zayne Wilson and Maynard each recorded a pair of sacks.

Maynard added two more touchdown runs in the third frame of 7 yards each to balloon the Viking lead to 35-0 to bring the OHSAA running clock rule into effect.

Maynard lead all rushers with 40 yards on the ground, along with 3 catches for 34 yards. Jackson Fields led all receivers with 3 catches for 39 yards.

The Vikings will be on the road next Friday against Meigs. Chesapeake will host Minford.

Chesapeake 0 0 0 0 = 0

Sy. Valley 14 8 13 0 = 35

First Quarter

SV — Asher Maynard 3 run (Miguel Ferreira kick), 7:15.

SV — Bronx Carpenter 25 pass to Levi Russell (Miguel Ferreira kick), 5:12.

Second Quarter

SV — Bronx Carpenter 16 pass to Andy Strow (Asher Maynard run), 0:18.

Third Quarter

SV — Asher Maynard 7 run (run failed), 8:17.

SV — Asher Maynard 7 run (Miguel Ferreira kick), 6:23.

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Ch SV

First downs 4 15

Rushes-yards 20-minus 39 26-78

Passing yards 59 178

Total yards 20 256

Cmp-Att-Int 5-16-1 20-26-0

Fumbles-lost 4-3 2-1

Penalties-yards 13-89.5 7-80

Punts-average 4-32.0 1-37.0

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Individual Leaders

RUSHING–Chesapeake: Jon-Cooper Barker 1-0, Peyton Muncy 5-10, Phillip Thacker 1-11, Andrew Issacs 1-minus 3, Marquis Branch 1-19, Josh Bland 2-minus 2, Colston Secrest 1-minus 2, Zack Burdine 1-minus 1, Team 7-minus 71; Symmes Valley: Asher Maynard 9-40 3TD, Beckham Roth 2-7, Bronx Carpenter 4-13.

PASSING–Chesapeake: Aaden Nester-Howard 4-15-1 40, Colton Secrest 1-1-0 19; Symmes Valley: Bronx Carpenter 19-23-0 174 2TD, Jordan Nance 1-3-0 4.

RECEIVING–Chesapeake: Jon-Cooper Barker 1-4, Phillip Thacker 2-17, Dennis Scarberry 1-19, Peyton Muncy 1-19; Symmes Valley: Andy Strow 4-36 TD, Levi Russell 2-35 TD, Gradee Holland 4-32, Beckem Roth 3-minus 2, Jackson Fields 3-39, Asher Maynard 3-34, Mason Adams 1-4.

MISSED FIELD GOALS–None.