Perkins dominates in opener, 55-0

PERKINS TWP. — Perkins honored its 1999 state championship team between the first and second quarters Friday night. As that sturdy bunch of alumni were leaving the field, the current version of the Pirates immediately scored a touchdown. It was one of many. The 2024 Pirates, who have state title aspirations themselves, dominated Clear Fork in every phase to score a 55-0 win in their season opener at Firelands Health Stadium. The Pirates' opportunistic defense grabbed three interceptions in the first half — matching the number of touchdown runs by Isaac Bunts in the first two quarters. Junior quarterback Sam Schweinfurth, making his first career start, threw for 200 yards and two touchdowns in the first half on 15-of-21 passing. He didn't play after halftime. "He did well. He had those pregame jitters in his first start," Perkins coach Jalen Santoro said. "We put him in some situations, got him in a 2-minute drill and forced him to throw the ball on the goal line. Trying to put him in situations that make him uncomfortable and he keeps doing his thing." Schweinfurth's first touchdown pass was a 48-yard strike in stride to Brady Legando, who finished the game with four receptions and 108 yards to give Perkins a 13-0 lead. "All week in practice I was supposed to be the run-off guy, but I've been telling Sammy to watch the cornerback," Legando said. "The safety bit on the play-action and I just ran right by him and he aired it out. He put it on the money. "He was great. I couldn't ask anything more from him. For being such a young kid in his first start, he did wonderful." Schweinfurth also found Braylon Collier on a 4-yard touchdown pass on fourth down late in the first half. Collier wore jersey number 4 in the game to honor teammate and close friend Weston Sturzinger, who will miss the season with a knee injury. Perkins outgained the Colts 351-40. Perkins led 20-0 early in the second quarter when Clear Fork returned a kickoff return deep in Pirates territory and had first-and-goal. The Pirates pushed the Colts back and the visitors lined up for a field goal. The snap was high and holder Jacob Brokaw rolled left and let it fly. Braxden Martin stepped in front of the pass and returned it 93 yards for a touchdown to end any suspense in this nonconference matchup. Martin gave Legando a high-five on his way to the end zone. "I just reacted," Martin said. "I saw he muffed it and staying back because anything can happen. I saw a guy come across and he loaded up and I was like, 'this is my chance to get it.' "I jumped it, picked it. At first I thought I was gonna get tackled and then I broke a couple tackles and was gone. Brady came up next to me and said, 'give me a high five.' It was at about the 40-yard line. I said might as well have some fun out there." Added Santoro: "I've never seen anything like that." Added another interception and returned it 47 yards to set up another Perkins score. Bunts ran in a 19-yard touchdown early in the third quarter and finished with 63 yards on 11 carries. He found the end zone four times. "One touchdown he had I was the lead blocker and put the guy on the ground," Legando said. "He can thank me for that one." Senior bruiser Tim Boals and freshman Logan Wadsworth took snaps at quarterback in the second quarter. The game's final score came in the fourth quarter when Wadsworth found senior Julian Kessler for a 17-yard touchdown pass. Perkins was in control the entire way, starting with Dylan Crabtree's tackle for no gain on the Colts' first play from scrimmage. The Pirates converted on fourth down on their first drive and Bunts scored on an 8-yard run to open the scoring. The Pirates outgained the Colts 230-38 in the first half. Clear Fork, which went 2-8 last year, is in the same Division IV region as Perkins. "I thought we played well, but it's what you'd expect in the first game," Santoro said. "A lot of things to clean up with substitutions and everything else." Perkins has won its last four season openers by a combined score of 254-6. The Pirates will play their next two games on the road against Division III opponents: Padua Franciscan and Rocky River. Perkins' next home game is Sept. 13 against Harvest Prep. Pregame honors A plaque honoring Aaron Richardson, Perkins' all-time points leader in track & field, was dedicated prior to the game. The plaque was sponsored by Perkins alumnus Tyson Gentry, who was Richardson's best friend until Richardson's death in 2004. "It's absolutely beautiful. It's an honor to be here and see this," said Richardson's mother, Alice Ashburn. "Tyson and I have been working on it. He decided this should be done and we're really thankful." Richardson scored a total of 1,463 points in his track & field career. The plaque called Richardson an "extraordinary person, friend and athlete." The plaque was placed next to plaques honoring Wayne Kreimes, Steven Kromer and Michael Bixler. Just prior to kickoff, a moment of silence was held in honor of Mike Eldridge and P.J. Nickell. Eldridge, who for years took photos of Perkins student-athletes, died Thursday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Nickell, a popular ticket-taker at Perkins, died in April. Clear Fork 0 0 0 0 — 0 Perkins 13 28 7 7 — 55 P: Isaac Bunts 8 run (kick failed) P: Brady Legando 48 pass from Sam Schweinfurth (Grant Hickman kick) P: Bunts 1 run (Hickman kick) P: Braxden Martin 93 interception return (Hickman kick) P: Bunts 1 run (Hickman kick) P: Braylon Collier 4 pass from Schweinfurth (Hickman kick) P: Bunts 19 run (Hickman kick) P: Julian Kessler 17 pass from Logan Wadsworth (Hickman kick)