Photo Credit: Dawn Bubonic Photography
Burton, OH- The Perry Pirates delivered a commanding performance Friday night, defeating the previously undefeated Streetsboro Rockets 45-21 in the regional semifinals of the OHSAA Division IV playoffs. With this win, the Pirates (12-1) secured their spot in the regional championship and set up a clash of champions against the Glenville Tarblooders (10-3), the 2023 Division IV state champions. Perry, the reigning 2023 Division V state champion, will look to continue its title defense in this marquee matchup between two powerhouses.
First Half: Perry’s Explosive Start
The Pirates wasted no time setting the tone, with quarterback Walter Moses at the helm of a dynamic offensive attack. At the 8:44 mark in the first quarter, Moses delivered a 38-yard strike to Carter Hopkins to give Perry an early 7-0 lead.
The second quarter saw the Pirates extend their lead with a 26-yard field goal by Colton Chrissinger, making it 10-0. Moments later, Moses found Brody Petruccelli for a 41-yard touchdown pass to push the advantage to 17-0.
Streetsboro showed resilience with a 6-yard touchdown run by Marcus Council, narrowing the score to 17-7. However, Perry struck back in lightning fashion. Moses connected with Hopkins on a screen pass that turned into a dazzling 73-yard touchdown to give the Pirates a commanding 24-7 lead. Streetsboro quarterback Cohen Klimak kept his team in the fight with a 6-yard touchdown run just before halftime, closing the gap to 24-14.
Second Half: Perry Pulls Away
In the third quarter, the Rockets gained momentum as Klimak scored his second rushing touchdown, a 5-yard run that trimmed Perry’s lead to 24-21. But the Pirates responded emphatically.
Moses delivered a 52-yard touchdown bomb to Jimmy Ashburn, pushing the lead to 30-21 despite a missed extra point. In the fourth quarter, Perry took complete control. Moses threw his fifth touchdown of the night, a 20-yard pass to Luke Sivon, followed by a successful two-point conversion run by McKoy Richards to extend the lead to 38-21.
Hopkins added the final exclamation point with a 2-yard touchdown run, capping off an incredible night for the Pirates and securing the 45-21 victory.
Key Performances
- Walter Moses (Perry): The senior quarterback put on a clinic, throwing for five touchdowns and more than 300 yards, showcasing precision and leadership.
- Carter Hopkins (Perry): A versatile weapon, Hopkins tallied three total touchdowns, including a jaw-dropping 73-yard screen pass score.
- Cohen Klimak (Streetsboro): The Rockets’ quarterback displayed grit with two rushing touchdowns, leading his team in their final game of the season.
A Showdown of Champions Awaits
The Pirates now prepare for a blockbuster regional championship matchup against Glenville, the 2023 Division IV state champion. The two reigning champions will collide at a neutral site in Week 14, with a berth in the state semifinals on the line.
Perry, the defending Division V champions, has successfully made the leap to Division IV this season and continues to prove why they’re among Ohio’s elite programs. Meanwhile, Streetsboro concludes its remarkable season with a 12-1 record, falling short against a dominant Perry squad.
Pirates fans, get ready—next week’s battle is set to be an unforgettable showdown between two of Ohio’s best. The stakes couldn’t be higher as Perry fights to keep its title defense alive!