Outside The County-Peru
Results from Peru for Friday, September 8th
Tigers scalp the Apaches on Homecoming 53-13
On an evening that felt more like football weather, with a cool north wind and a light rain shower throughout the first half, the Tigers Defense came ready to protect the home field of Bengal Memorial Stadium against an old rival.
Wabash won the toss and chose to receive. Peru’s defense forced Wabash to commit a penalty on the first play and then held them to a 3 and out. A wild snap on the punt attempt was recovered in the endzone by Wabash for a safety.
Peru started their first offensive possession on their own 37-yard line and quickly marched 63 yards on 6 plays in under a minute and a half. Senior Avionne Jackson found the end zone on a 1-yard run. Junior Landen Crowe added the PAT.
After forcing Wabash to turn the ball over on downs, Peru added another score on a 4-play 71-yard drive. Senior Matthew Roettger finished it with a 6-yard scamper. The PAT was no good.
Wabash’s next drive went about 60 yards to find them in the red zone, but the penalty bug bit them and backed them up, causing them to turn the ball over on downs again in Peru’s territory. Peru found paydirt for the third time in the quarter on a 3-play 75-yard drive that ended with Roettger finding the endzone again on a 6-yard dash. Senior Fox Huppenthal tacked on the extra point. This gave the Tigers a commanding 22-0 lead after the first quarter.
Peru’s D held Wabash to another 3 and out, leading the Tigers to another quick strike drive of 4 plays and 46 yards. Capped off by Roettger hitting Junior Tanner Boggs for a 34-yard pitch and catch. The PAT was again no good.
Another several-play drive by Wabash found them again turning the ball over on downs. The Tigers pounced again when Roettger found Senior Zach Smithers in stride for a 50-yard scoring catch to cap off a 3-play 66-yard drive. A bobbled snap on the extra point led to an incomplete pass.
Another quick drive by Wabash set up an 8-play 44-yard drive by Peru. Jackson scored again on a 4-yard run. The PAT was again no good.
Wabash found a little life late in the first half scoring on a 54-yard touchdown pass that capped off a 3-play 65-yard drive. The Tigers answered with a 3-play 62-yard scoring drive capped off by a 15-yard pass from Roettger to Senior Griffin Wouster. Huppenthal was good with the PAT.
At the half, the Tigers pushed their lead up to 47-7.
Halftime featured the introduction of the class courts and the selection of the Homecoming King and Queen. The 2023 Queen is Jordyn Ulery and the King is Alex Ross.
The second half began with a running clock due to the IHSAA mercy rule of a 35-point advantage.
Peru’s quick strike offense was back again going 58 yards on 3 plays. Sophomore Isaiah Korba scored from 4 yards out. The PAT was no good. That was all the scoring in the 3rd quarter.
Wabash added another score midway through the fourth quarter and missed the extra point.
The final was 53-13.
The Tigers are back in action next Friday night as they travel down Strawtown Pike to face Maconaquah at 7 pm with first place in the conference on the line.
