MERCERVILLE — The South Gallia Rebels (3-7) fell to the Symmes Valley Vikings (8-2) in Friday evening’s Senior Night contest at Rebel Field.

Symmes Valley jumped out to a first half lead, which the Rebels could not overcome in route to a 40-6 victory for the visitors. Unofficially, Symmes Valley is playoff bound after the victory on Friday.

South Gallia had the opening possession of the game, and quickly earned their a first down, before being forced to punt. Symmes Valley went four and out on their opening possession.

After a punt of only 10 yards by the Vikings, South Gallia took over with excellent field position. South Gallia gained a first down to drive into the red zone, but an interception gave the Vikings the ball back. Symmes Valley capitalized off the turnover, and after converting on fourth and two, Evan Herrell took the ball 77 yards for the first touchdown of the night for the Vikings. the extra point kick for the Vikings was no good leaving the score 6-0 in the first quarter.

The Rebels went four and out on their next possession. The South Gallia punt was partially blocked by Jacob Patterson, allowing the Vikings to take over in South Gallia territory. Symmes Valley would drive toward the goal line at the end of the first quarter, leading to a score on the second play of the second quarter when Kyle Bowen went in from six yards out for the score. Bowen added the two point conversion on a pass from Cody Myers to give the Vikings a 14-0 lead.

The kickoff went into the end zone giving the Rebels the ball on their own 20 yard line. On the first play, the Rebels fumbled the ball which the Vikings Jacob Patterson recovered on the South Gallia 17 yard line. After a five yard penalty against the Rebels, Symmes Valley scored on a nine yard run by Justin Payne, giving the Vikings their second touchdown in less than a minute. Myers again added the extra point kick, putting the Vikings ahead 21-0.

On their next possession, the Rebels took the ball into Viking territory, but again could not score. Clary threw his second interception of the game, which was returned 53 yard to the South Gallia 10 yard line by Grant Foster of the Vikings. Symmes Valley capitalized on the Rebel turnovers as they had the entire first half, scoring on an eight yard run by Tyler Easthom. Myers added the extra point kick for the Vikings to up the score to 28-0.

South Gallia was again forced to punt the ball, going four and out. After an illegal block penaltyon the Vikings, Symmes Valley was forced to begain their next possession at their own 32 yard line. The Vikings quickly moved the ball down field earning first downs on each of the next two plays to get the ball in Rebel territory at the 28 yard line. Following a three yard run by Jacob Patterson, Myers threw a 25 yard touchdown strike to Wayne Meade to give the Vikings their fifth score of the half. The extra point kick was wide left leaving the score 34-0 Vikings with just over one minute remaining in the half.

The third quarter began with Symmes Valley fielding the openning kickoff. The Vikings went four and out as did the Rebels on their first possession of the quarter. Symmes Valley’s second possession began on their own 37 yard line, and saw the Vikings earning three first downs to leave a first and goal situation from the five yard line. The Vikings were left with a fourth and goal situation at the five as the third quarter came to close. On the fourth down play to open the final quarter, Drew Brock fumbled the ball and recovered for a loss of three yards, giving South Gallia the ball at their own seven yard line.

The Rebels put together the longest drive of the night for either team, taking 12 plays to go 93 yards down the field for the score. South Gallia scored on a 35 yard touchdown run by Austin Phillips to cap the drive, and give the Rebels their only score of the game. The extra point was no good on the bobbled snap.

Symmes Valley would not be shut down, scoring on their next possession. The Vikings took only two plays to score on a 59 yard touchdown run by back up quarterback Scott Dial. The touchdown gave the Vikings a 40-6 lead, with the extra point pass attempt failing.

South Gallia would get one final chance to score, but could not, leaving the score 40-6.

South Gallia honored their seniors prior to the game including Bryce Clary, Jeff Clyburn, Zac Cargo, Chris Fooce, Brandon Harrison, Rasmus Carlson, A.J. McDaniel, Logan Wamsley, and Heath White. Senior members of the band, volleyball team, and cheerleading squad were also honored during pregame.

For the Rebels, it was the end of a season that saw many ups and downs. After losing their first four games, South Gallia mounted a midseason rally, winning three in a row, before losing the final three. The Rebels finished the 2009 season 3-7, and will begin TVC Hocking play for the 2010 football season.

The Vikings, unofficially will be playing next week in the opening round of the state playoffs in Division 6, Region 23.