Outside The County-Peru

Results from Peru for Friday, September 15th

11 Peru traveled south on Strawtown Pike to Bunker Hill to battle county and conference rival Maconaquah with a chance to remain atop the TRC standings at stake. The Tigers were able to overcome a sloppy start with penalties and turnovers to complete the come-from-behind victory and break the hearts of the Braves.

Peru won the toss and differed to the second half so they kicked off to Maconaquah. The defense stood tall to start the game forcing the Braves to punt.

The Tigers’ offense appeared to be continuing on the roll they have been on the last few weeks, getting behind the hogs up front and pounding the ball right down their opponent’s throat with their multi-faceted run game. However, the drive stalled on the Braves 15-yard line with a fumble.

Maconaquah struck first capitalizing off the turnover with an 11-play drive capped off by a 27-yard pass for the score. The ensuing 2-point conversion was good to give the Braves an early 8-0 lead.

Peru was unable to get much going on their next drive turning the ball over on downs after the drive stalled on the Mac 41.

Mac struck again quickly on 4 plays spanning into the 2nd quarter and finished with a 1-yard run. They failed to convert the 2-point attempt. They lead 14-0 a few seconds into the quarter.

Peru’s offense got things rolling on the next drive going 54 yards over 8 plays. Senior Matthew Roettger scored on a 1-yard carry. Senior Fox Huppenthal missed his first PAT of the season. This cut the Braves lead 14-6.

Both defenses stood tall on the next 2 drives with the Tigers forcing the Braves to turn the ball over on downs and then the Braves forced a 3 and out.

Mac’s scored again on the next drive going 73 yards, by hitting a homerun with a 51-yard scoring bomb. The 2-point conversion failed again, making the score 20-6.

Peru looked like they were going to answer going into the half marching 53 yards on 11 plays, but on play 12 the turnover bug reared his ugly head again and the Braves intercepted a pass in the endzone for a touchback.

Mac held the advantage 20-6 at the half.

Peru opened the 2nd half going 37 yards before another fumble was returned by the Braves for their last touchdown of the game. They again failed on the 2-point conversion.

Peru committed their 3rd straight turnover on the ensuing kickoff on their own 47-yard line.

The Tigers found themselves in a position they hadn’t been in all season, down 20 points, their backs against the wall, with all momentum on the home sidelines. They somehow found the will to stop and force Mac to a 3 and out.

Peru’s next drive stalled after a couple of penalties after 12 plays forcing them to punt. However, Maconaquah committed a penalty giving the Tigers new life with an automatic first down.

This ended the 3rd quarter with Mac still ahead 26-6.

Peru continued their drive with 8 more plays covering 61 yards. Roettger ran it in from 1 yard out. Junior Landen Crowe made the PAT cutting the score 26-13.

Peru attempted an onside kick and it was recovered by Senior Brady Hahn.

Peru took the next drive 26 yards on 5 plays with Roettger again finding paydirt from 5 yards out. Crowe converted again, bringing the score to 26-20.

The Braves next to last drive started at the 50-yard line and ended with a missed field goal attempt.

Peru took over and got back to what they do well, pounding the rock on the ground, with the offensive line wearing down the defense. The Tigers marched down the field, capped off by Roettger scoring again from 4 yards out. An unsportsmanlike penalty forced the extra-point attempt from the 25-yard line. Crowe again, answered the call, making the 35-yard PAT. Giving Peru their first lead of the game 27-26 with 1:11 left in the game.

The kickoff skipped away from the returner and at the last bounce rolled into the endzone for a touchback.

The Braves final drive started on their own 20. They were able to pass the ball into Tiger territory, but Junior Tanner Boggs put the final stamp on the game with an interception with less than 20 seconds left. With Mac out of timeouts, the Tigers were able to take a knee in victory formation for the final play.

This is the first Tiger team since 1983 to start the season 5-0. The Tigers return to the friendly confines of Bengal Memorial next Friday night to face the Zebras of Rochester at 7 pm, with sole possession of first place in the TRC on the line.