Son seeks state title

PERKINS TWP. — Brent Adams, quite literally, quarterbacked his Perkins Pirates to a championship 25 years ago, marking the district's only football state title in school history. Fast-forward a generation later, and he wants to party like it's 1999 all over again. But, in present times, he's handed off all on-the-field responsibilities to a new batch of players — which, for him, most notably includes his son, Mason. Mason and his teammates will play Indian Valley in the Division IV state championship game at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. The Pirates look to achieve an ultra-rare feat. Besides Perkins in 1999, no other school in Erie County has won a varsity football state title in the modern playoff era, dating back to 1972. It's also Perkins' first trip back to a state title game in a quarter-century. And if Perkins can capture its second such trophy, then it'll translate to an even more uncommon accolade: With this scenario playing out, Brent and Mason would likely become the first local father-son combination to call themselves football state champions while representing an Erie County school. "For our family, it would be one of the best things we could ever be a part of," Brent said. "To see my son get the chance to experience the things I got to experience 25 years ago, it's an indescribable feeling of joy. You always want better for your kids than you. So there's no doubt I want his team to win the state championship." 1999 Here's how a small group of Perkins Pirates — 37 varsity players, including 14 seniors — became local legends on Dec. 4, 1999, at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon. Perkins trailed 14-10 with less than a minute to play as Ironton faced fourth-and-1 on its own 29-yard line. Worried about its punt protection, Ironton elected to go for a first down. The Tigers handed off to rugged fullback Michael Henry, who was met near the line of scrimmage by a swarm of Pirates defenders: Alan Speer, Damar Pentorn and Brandon Schnittker — the latter ended up playing collegiately at Ohio State. That all-out defensive stop seized the momentum. Two plays later, with 29 seconds on the clock, Adams threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Burt Jarrett, who made a spectacular catch on a play called Flank Left All Streaks. Ironton — ironically enough, this school is also competing for a 2024 state title but, now, in a different division than Perkins — had one final last-ditch effort. "I was playing cornerback and was deep downfield. I remember falling down in total excitement. I couldn't believe what just happened. It was completely surreal," said Brent, who kept the football he threw for a game-winning touchdown. It's among his most prized possessions in his house. "I still remember coach (Rock) Farlow crying, shedding tears. You'd never expect it from that guy with his high intensity and drive. Still to this day, I get goosebumps thinking about it." Brent played one year of college football at Heidelberg before transferring to Bowling Green State University. Today he resides in the township with his family: his wife, Baranda, and their two children: Emily and Mason. Brent, a longtime Perkins police officer, received a promotion to lieutenant in 2023. He's among the most respected officers on the force, often volunteering for community-oriented tasks. 2024 With Brent now in the stands, alongside Baranda and Emily, a 2024 Perkins graduate who was a cheerleader, they're the biggest fans of Mason. Mason, a reserve wide receiver and defensive back, sees plenty of action as a special teams player, primarily on kickoff returns. The junior celebrated with teammates on Friday night when Perkins knocked off mighty two-time defending state champions Glenville in an exciting Division IV state football semifinal, 13-11, in which special teams and field positioning played a major factor. Glenville defeated Perkins one year prior in the regional championship game en route to a state championship in 2023. "It was an incredible feeling," Mason said about Friday's game at Clyde High School. "To struggle last year and be around a lot of the same guys and coaches, to get it done this year is amazing. Not many thought we could win that game, so it was a lot of fun to go out and prove everyone wrong." Brent never pushed Mason into football. It's something the Adams boy individually developed a passion for on his own. "But my dad has definitely influenced and helped me over the years," Mason said. "Whether it's playing coach or coaching my middle school team and being there now at games, he is always there for me." Mason knows what's at stake for both his team and himself. "I want this for my team first," Mason said. "But, yes, it would be cool to be the first father-son duo to win a state title." Tying the times together While watching from the stands, Brent can understand and appreciate a familiar dynamic developing throughout the 2024 season. "Some people have asked me what is similar between the two teams, and I would say it's the camaraderie between the players as well as the players and coaches," Brent said. "They stick by each other's side. No one looks for personal credit. They all just want to play as a team and win together. We have some real stud athletes, but all they want to do is win and get better each week." Others also can draw some parallels between the pair. This would include Mark Adams, father to Brent and grandfather to Mason. "Now I know what he went through, sitting in the bleachers and watching me back then," Brent said. "I'm doing the same thing." Another person who sees mirroring trends once patrolled the sidelines and now sits way above them on Friday nights. "Both are team-oriented, which is what you need to succeed at this level," Gary Lill said about Brent and Mason. Lill served as an assistant coach with Perkins in 1999 and today broadcasts many Pirates games for WLEC-AM 1450 and WMJK-FM 100.9. "It's very special for the family to be a part of something 25 years apart," Lill said. "I know one thing: Our staff and players from the 1999 team would like nothing better than to see a repeat." Both Brent and Mason hope for the same as well. "No matter what happens, this will be a special season," Brent said. "They are only the second team to get this far, and what an honor it is for them and those players and coaches to all be part of Perkins football."