Smith rushes for 3 TDs in Perkins' win at Huron

HURON — Perkins added another dominating football victory Friday, routing Huron 48-14 at Memorial Stadium in Northern Ohio Conference crossover action. It was the fourth straight running clock victory for Perkins, which scored 42 points or more for the seventh time this season. Dante Shipp Jr. returned the opening kickoff 78 yards for a touchdown and Perkins was never threatened while improving to 9-0 on the season. The Pirates opened up a 42-0 halftime lead, triggering the running clock for the second half. Connor Smith carried 11 times for 114 yards and three touchdowns in the first two quarters as Perkins outgained Huron 264-47 in the first half. Smith scored on runs covering 20 yards, 33 yards and one yard. Huron got a 24-yard run from Robert Fisher on its first play from scrimmage before the Pirates clamped down. The Tigers, who finish their season next week against rival Edison, dropped to 1-8. Fisher finished with 12 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown. The win all but clinched a first-round playoff bye for Perkins in Division IV Region 14. The top four teams in the OHSAA's computer ratings in each region get byes October 30 and home games the second week of the playoffs. The Pirates will try to win the Northern Ohio Conference Lake Division title next Friday when they host Columbian (7-2, 3-0). Perkins 21 21 0 6 — 48 Huron 0 0 7 7 — 14 P — Dante Shipp 78 kickoff return (Kannyn Henson kick) P — Connor Smith 20 run (Henson kick) P — Smith 33 run (Henson kick) P — Logan Wadsworth 48 run (Henson kick) P — Kaden Legando 27 pass from Grant Kuhnle (Henson kick) P — Smith 1 run (Henson kick) H — Austin Sas 14 pass from Robert Fisher (Carter Brennan kick) H — Brock West 2 run (Brennan kick) P — Darrius Martin 23 run (kick failed)