Perkins regroups after rare loss

PERKINS TWP. — Perkins finds itself in an unfamiliar position after the first week of the high school football season — 0-1. Heading into last Friday's game at Clear Fork, the Pirates had won five straight openers by a cumulative score of 305-26. That streak ended when Colts kicker Nash Evans made a 29-yard field goal as time expired. It was a shocking score, considering Perkins shut out Clear Fork 55-0 last year and is coming off a 14-2 season and an appearance in the Division IV state championship game. "They obviously were a better team this year, but ultimately we had some guys up front who were out due to multiple reasons," Perkins coach Jalen Santoro said. "We had a handful of new guys starting. Going back to last year, Eli (Sanchez) was the only returning O-lineman starting. "A lot of growing pains, a lot of people gotta do some growing up. I'm confident they're gonna get there, but it showed last Friday." Perkins had issues running the ball, finishing with minus-20 yards on the ground. Braxden Martin was the Pirates' top ball carrier with 18 yards on five carries. "A lack of experience, and on top of it we couldn't get anything rolling offensively in general, whether it was through the air or on the ground," Santoro said. "We couldn't get much of a rhythm early on. We had three 3-and-outs and I don't think we had a first down till late in the second quarter." Perkins had just 11 first downs in the game and was outgained 279-195. The Pirates never led, but had a chance in the final minute with the game tied. They drove into Clear Fork territory before quarterback Sam Schweinfurth was sacked on third down. On fourth down, a long snap went over the punter's head, setting up the Colts for a dramatic walk-off win. "They ran one play, centered it up and kicked a field goal," Santoro said. Schweinfurth threw for 215 yards and two touchdowns. "Obviously not the outcome we wanted, but we've seen some red flags that we knew we needed to correct," Santoro said. "It came to life on a Friday night for us. We've got a lot of people getting their first varsity starts. No matter if it's your first varsity start, we're expecting a lot out of you." Injuries are testing the Pirates' depth. "We've got a lot of people dinged up," Santoro said. "A couple collarbones, ACLs. We're missing a handful of people." The Pirates host Toledo Scott in their home opener this Friday at Firelands Health Stadium. Scott, a Division II program, is coming off a 49-8 loss to Toledo St. John's. The Pirates haven't lost two in a row since 2020, Santoro's first year as head coach. They dropped all four games in September that season before finishing 3-6. Perkins is 45-10 since the end of 2020. Santoro thinks his current team is capable of stringing together some wins. "Some people just need some more reps and we're getting there," he said. "I think we've got the people to do it, it's just about putting it together."