Pirates regroup for state title shot

Perkins took its time getting on the bus last Friday night in Clyde. Even on a cold night, the Pirates reveled in the postgame atmosphere after knocking off mighty Glenville 13-11 in a Division IV state football semifinal. "It was hard to fathom for a while. It was hard to realize the situation in the moment," Perkins coach Jalen Santoro said Sunday. "After the game it didn't feel real until Saturday morning and we were preparing for a state championship game." Santoro was asked how many congratulatory messages he received. "A ton. My phone was blowing up," he said. "After the game I couldn't respond because I was getting so many messages and my phone was freezing up." When the Pirates got home, Santoro and his coaching staff got something to eat and watched film of the game. And began the process of moving on. Perkins will play Indian Valley in the D-IV state championship game at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. Indian Valley, located about 40 miles south of Canton in the town of Gnadenhutten, is led by Mr. Football finalist Grady Kinsey, who has rushed for 3,017 yards and The 5-foot-9, 197-pound junior carried 32 times for 171 yards in IV's 29-20 win over Cincinnati Taft in the other state semifinal last Friday. The Braves from Tuscarawas County are 15-0 and scored 40 or more points in their first four playoff games. Santoro isn't worried about his team's ability to turn the page after an emotional win against Glenville, which won state championships in 2022 and 2023. "I don't think it'll be an issue," he said. "You're playing in Canton for a state championship. You're in The Show. We'll be good to go." The Perkins and Glenville defenses put on a show on cold, windy conditions in Clyde. Glenville finished with 156 total yards and just three first downs. Perkins had 149 yards and nine first downs. The key statistic: Glenville had four turnovers and Perkins had none. Pirates Brady Legando and Joey Diederich recovered fumbles and Mikey Young and Bryce Davie grabbed interceptions. The Pirates also stopped Glenville four times on fourth down, once inside the Perkins 5-yard line. "Probably two of the better defenses in the state," Santoro said. "You saw what they did all year long and our defense has been on their game all season long." The defensive slugfest forced Perkins to throttle down on offense with an emphasis on ball security. "We usually are more aggressive on offense and take shots, but in that game, with the weather like it was, we were more conservative and thought if we didn't turn it over we had a chance to win," Santoro said. Perkins (14-1) now has a chance to win one more and bring home the school's second state football title. The first came 25 years ago, in 1999. "We're one game away to something we've talked about for a couple years now," Santoro said. "The job is not done — one game to go." State Championship Games (All games at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton) THURSDAYDivision II — Cincinnati Anderson (15-0) vs. Avon (15-0), 7 p.m. FRIDAY Division VII — Jeromesville Hillsdale (14-1) vs. Maria Stein Marion Local (15-0), 10:30 a.m. Division III — Columbus Bishop Watterson (15-0) vs. Toledo Central Catholic (14-1), 3 p.m. Division I — Powell Olentangy Liberty (13-2) vs. Cincinnati Moeller (14-1), 7:30 p.m. SATURDAY Division VI — Coldwater (14-1) vs. Kirtland (15-0), 10:30 a.m. Division V — Liberty Center (15-0) vs. Ironton (14-1), 3 p.m. Division IV — Gnadenhutten Indian Valley (15-0) vs. Perkins (14-1), 7:30 p.m. TICKETS Tickets to state championship games are $15 for adults and $10 for students. All session tickets for Saturday's three games are available for $40 (adults) or $30 (students). Club seats are $75.