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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Symmes Valley looking to make playoff return in ’09
The 2009 Symmes Valley High School Football Team.
Purchase this photoWILLOW WOOD, Ohio -- Numbers are up as well as intensity. Symmes Valley coach Rusty Webb believes that’s the right combination for the Vikings in 2009.
“We can do things we did in the past that we haven’t been able to do the past couple of years,” Webb said.
After making the playoffs from 2002 to 2005, the Vikings dropped to a pair of 3-7 seasons followed by a 5-5 comeback in 2008.
“The attitude’s been great. We have very competitive practices,” Webb said. “We want to climb out of that hole.”
Running the team’s option-style attack are quarterbacks Cody Myers and Kyle Bowen, who started there last season. Bowen will make his first impact this fall at fullback. “He’s our big back,” Webb said. Jacob Patterson returns, too. He went out for the season because of a wrist injury in the first game last year.
Halfbacks are Justin Payne, Evan Herrell and Tyler Easthom.
Tight ends are Scott Dial, Hunter Boggs, Wayne Meade and Drew Brock. “They’re dual threats,” Webb said. “They’re good blockers and can catch the ball.”
Up front, Grant Foster and Caleb Holderby line up at center. Guards are Josh Holderby, Nick Clay, Corey Hakes, Buddy Malone and Garrett Foster. Tackles are Jordan Wells, Billy Bloomfield, Kyle Wells and Daren Bryant. The linemen average over 6-foot and 280 pounds.
“Enormous. The biggest I’ve had period,” Webb said of the offensive line. “We’re working to improve quickness and speed.
“This is the same style we run in junior high. We hope to throw more, but we have to establish the run first. Everything is based off that.”
On defense, ends are C.J. Blankenship, Meade, Bo Arthur and Jacob Greybill. Bowen, Garrett Foster, Malone and Wells make up in interior. Linebackers on the outside are Boggs, Easthom, Austin Owens and Jordan Fulford. Inside linebackers are Grant Foster, Patterson, Alec Herrell and Caleb Holderby. Payne, Evan Herrell, Myers, Drew Brock, Scott Dial, Jonathan Ross and Kyler Holderby are in the secondary.
“We’ll attack and make the offense play faster than they want to,” Webb said. “We can change fronts and give teams more looks.”
Three preseason contests — one a jamboree — provided Webb with added time for evaluations and adjustments. “It’s a time to learn,” the coach said.
In the regular season, the Vikings will meet rival Chesapeake at home in week three.
The Vikings are in the Southern Ohio Conference (Division I). Sciotoville Community School (Portsmouth East) has won the conference the past three years. Oak Hill is another top contender.
“Limit mistakes and give a solid effort,” Webb said. “That’s what we have to do.”
