SETTING THE STAGE..for a big showdown with Covington, the Miami East Vikings pulled away from Bethel for a 42-14 win.

By Dwaine Maxson
The Miami East Vikings were able to pull away in the second half and win over the Bethel Bees 42-14 Friday night, and set up a big showdown with Covington next week. The Bees managed to keep the game close in the first half, but were unable to stop the Viking onslaught in the second half. Miami East rolled up 392 yards rushing in the game.

In the first quarter Bethel managed to recover a Viking fumble on the Miami East 14 yard line. After a penalty and a couple plays the Bees’ Daniel Yates caught a Ben Schwieterman pass for an 18 yard touchdown and an early 7-0 Bethel lead. Although after the kickoff the Vikings started on their own 30 yard line and made a 5 play 70 yard scoring drive. Tyler Dunivan carried the ball three times for 56 yards on the drive, including runs of 17 and 36 yards. The 36 yard run set up a first and goal on the Bethel 3 yard line where Dalton Saylor carried it in for the touchdown. At the end of the first quarter the game was tied 7-7.

Late in the second quarter with about four minutes left the Bees tried to go for a fake punt on 4th down and 12 on their own 40 yard line. Unfortunately for Bethel they only managed to gain a yard and Miami East took over on the Bee 41. Then on their first play Tyler Dunivan ran 41 yards to put the Vikings up 14-7 after the PAT. That was the score going into halftime.

The third quarter would be all Miami East. The Vikings managed to force the Bees to punt from their own 3 yard line early and Jared Brown returned it all the way to the Bethel 14 yard line setting up East’s next score. Dunivan then scored on a 14 yard run for another touchdown. Later again Bethel was unable to convert on 4th down and the Vikings took over on the Bee 49 yard line. After an 11 yard run by Dunivan, Kyle Noe then scored on a 40 yard run for a touchdown. Miami East scored one more in the third on a 21 yard touchdown run by Jared Brown.

Early in the four quarter Brown scored one more touchdown for the Vikings to make it 42-7. Bethel then later scored their second on a Bryce Renicker 9 yard run.

Miami East’s Tyler Dunivan lead the game with 172 yards rushing on 15 carries for two touchdowns. Kyle Noe also had 116 yards on 9 carries and a touchdown for the Vikings. The Bees leader on offense was Ben Schwieterman who was 9 of 25 passing for 99 yards and a touchdown, and also ran for 53 yards on 13 carries.

East’s defense also managed to intercept three passes and recover a fumble on the night. “Once we settled down we played well tonight. We still have some things to work on. Next week we have a big game with Covington, so we need a good week of practice and come in focused,” Viking Coach Max Current said after the game.

Next week Miami East (3-1, 3-0) hosts Covington, while Bethel (1-3, 0-3) travels to Twin Valley South.

Score by Quarters:
Miami East ....7....7....21....7 - 42
Bethel ..........7....0......0....7 - 14

Scoring Summary:
B-Daniel Yates 18 yard pass from Ben Schwieterman (Brandon Garlough kick).
ME-Dalton Saylor 3 yard run (Josh Snyder kick).
ME-Tyler Dunivan 41 yard run (Snyder kick).
ME-Dunivan 14 yard run (Snyder kick).
ME-Kyle Noe 40 yard run (Snyder kick).
ME-Jared Brown 21 yard run (Snyder kick).
ME-Brown 6 yard run (Snyder kick).
B-Bryce Renicker 9 yard run (Sam Butler kick).