Perkins shuts out Genoa, remains undefeated

More photos from the gameMore Perkins Pirates coverageRain may have slowed down the Perkins offense a little.But it was perfect for the band of Pirates on defense who recorded their second straight shutout in a 34-0 victory Friday night over Genoa at Firelands Regional Medical Center stadium."This is a game that we had to win with Huron coming in here next week to start the SBC," said Perkins coach Jason Ziegler. "We just have to look at the film and correct the mistakes we made, but we'll do that. This is a veteran team and I'm real proud of the way our seniors played on Senior Night."The Pirates will be without the services of one senior next week as Kordell Chaney was flagged with a personal foul and ejected during the fourth quarter of the game.Other than that, it was smooth sailing for the Pirates.The offensive accounted for 397 yards total offense with quarterback Matt Schweinfurth passing for 149 yards and a score and rushing for 93 and another touchdown. Tyrique Sharpe chipped in 74 yards and a touchdown on the ground and Seth Boggs picked up 66 yards rushing with a score."Offensively, we played sloppy," Ziegler said. "I think we played to the elements, which is something we can't do."There were about three possessions where we didn't take advantage of the ball. I recall a three-and-out and another time when we turned the ball over on downs, which are things we just can't do."Defensively, the Pirates allowed the Comets to gain just 143 total yards of offense and collected a pair of turnovers."We played real well defensively," Ziegler said. "Anytime you can get a shut out against a storied program like Genoa, you have to be proud. Genoa is a very good football team and we're proud of putting up that shutout."A Drew Crabtree fumble recovery in the first quarter set up a 6-yard Ryan Harris touchdown run that put Perkins in front to stay, while Sharpe's 7-yard score allowed Perkins to take a 13-0 lead at the half.The Comets dominated the time of possession battle in the second half by a 20:39-3:21 margin. But the Pirates did all the scoring.Perkins needed just two plays before Boggs took off on a 41-yard scoring scamper in the third quarter, while Schweinfurth capped a one-play drive with an 87-yard TD run midway through the fourth.Schweinfurth hooked up with Mayson Harkelroad on a 74-yard touchdown pass during Perkins' three-play drive that closed out the scoring."I think Genoa had a great game plan coming in," Ziegler said. "They moved the ball and took a lot of time off the clock to limit us from having the ball in our hands."Matt Bradfield led the Comets with 55 yards rushing on 18 carries and Noah Edwards picked up 36 yards on 13 tries.Offensive efficiencyPerkins had the ball just 3 minutes, 21 seconds the entire second half but scored three times on just six plays, turning a tight 13-0 halftime lead into a 34-0 laugher.Defensive gemDespite spending most of the second half on defense, the Pirates stopped the Comets at every turn. Genoa's most promising possession of the game was a 16-play, 51-yard drive that stalled on the Perkins 9. On a fourth-and-six play, Matt Bradfield hauled in the Jacob Plantz pass, but was stopped one yard short of the first down.Next upPerkins (3-0) plays its third home game in four weeks, opening SBC play by hosting Huron. Genoa (0-3) is also at home against Elmwood.Perkins quarterback Matt Schweinfurth looks to outrun a Genoa tackler during their game Friday night at Firelands Regional Medical Center Stadium. Schweinfurth was sacked on the play, but the Pirates won 34-0.Perkins' Ryan Harris has turf on his face following a touchdown against Genoa on Friday, September 11, 2015.Perkins' Jwan Minniefield makes a diving tackle against Genoa during their game Friday night at Firelands Regional Medical Center Stadium. Perkins fans honor America during the playing of the National Anthem prior to Friday night's game against Genoa on Friday, September 11, 2015.Perkins head coach Jason Ziegler smiles following a big defensive stop against the Genoa Comets on Friday, September 11, 2015.