Outside The County-Peru
Results from Peru for Friday, September 22nd and Saturday, September 23rd
Peru returned home, a week after knocking off county rival Maconaquh, to beautiful Bengal Memorial Stadium to face TRC co-front runner Rochester with sole possession of the conference lead on the line. The sidelines were bright with the cheerleaders wearing neon shirts, along with the junior cheerleaders showing off the skills acquired during camp this week, and the students in construction zone attire.
Peru won the toss and elected to differ to the second half, and the Zebras chose to receive. Peru’s defense set an early tone on Rochester’s first drive of the game allowing only 8 yards on 4 plays and forcing them to turn it over on downs.
Peru took over on the Zebra 43-yard line and did what they do best. 7 plays later Senior Alex Ross found the end zone on a 5-yard scamper. Junior Landen Crowe converted the extra point giving the Tigers a 7-0 midway through the first quarter.
Rochester’s second drive again stalled after 6 plays and 14 yards again turning the ball over on downs.
Peru’s next drive stalled after 7 plays and 19 yards gained when Roettger came up a yard short of the line to gain on a fake punt.
The Zebra’s next drive spanned into the 2nd quarter going 10 plays and 48 yards and converting a 27-yard field goal. Cutting the Tiger lead 7-3 with just over 8 minutes to go in the half.
Both teams traded drives to cover the 8 minutes remaining, Peru went 29 yards on 14 plays leading a Roettger punt to the Rochester 8-yard line. Rochester went 27 yards on 3 plays to end the half with Peru clinging to a 7-3 lead.
The second half looked like a track meet with 47 of the 57 combined points scored.
Peru took the kick to start the second half starting at their own 18-yard line. They marched down the field in 8 plays capped off by Roettger finding paydirt on a 1-yard run. Senior Hayden Oldaker was good on the extra point attempt, stretching the Tiger lead 14-3 4 minutes into the half.
Rochester answered with their own 9-play drive spanning 62 yards with a 4-yard rush. The 2 point attempt was no good. Cutting the lead 14-9.
Peru again answered quickly, going 72 yards on 3 plays, when Roettger hooked up with a wide-open Junior Tanner Boggs with a 70 pitch and catch. Crowe was again good with the PAT, pushing the score 21-9.
The Zebras started wearing the Tigers’ defense down, going on a lengthy 14-play 62-yard drive capped off by a 7-yard run. Their 2-point attempt was again thwarted, cutting the lead 21-15, with 9:13 remaining in the game.
The Tigers again answered 13 seconds later when Roettger faked a handoff to Ross, then faked to Boggs, and twirled right by Senior Right Tackle Aiden McNeeley following pulling left guard Senior CY Baker going 80 yards untouched for the score. Oldaker was again successful with the extra point giving the Tigers a 13-point advantage 28-15 with 9 minutes to go.
Rochester, however, proved they refused to quit, driving 65 yards capped by a 2-yard run. This time they were able to convert the 2-point attempt cutting the Tiger lead to 5, 28-23.
Peru took over for their final drive of the night at their own 35-yard line with 6:02 remaining. During the drive, they forced Rochester to use all 3 of their timeouts trying to stop the clock along with the Tigers. On a critical 3rd and long, Peru was able to keep the drive alive when Roettger hit Senior Isaac Beam with a first down pass. Beam made an incredible diving catch, keeping one foot inbounds while falling out. Peru worked to milk as much of the clock as they could. With 1:07 remaining on 3rd and 9 the Tigers lined up in victory formation, Roettger faked taking a knee, dropping back to pass, and found Senior Braxton Strong with a 25-yard pass. Crowe’s PAT attempt was unsuccessful. Pushing the lead back up to 34-23.
Rochester’s last drive spanned 41 yards over 3 or 4 plays but without any timeouts, they ran out of time.
The victory pushes the Tigers’ record to 6-0 overall, and 5-0 in the TRC. Peru is in sole possession of first place with a 3-way tie currently for 2nd between Maconaquah, Rochester, and Soutwood all sitting at 4-1.
Peru is back in action next Friday night at Bengal Memorial Stadium for 2023 Senior Night facing the Southwood Knights starting at 7 p.m. Come out and support the 16 seniors on their final regular season home contest.
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A hard loss from the Tiger team but still learning from this young team. Lots of hussle at the outside wing from Bowman. Defensive line did great job! Correll played great at her specified position and stopper. Having players injured and sick did not help matters. Hoping rest and recovery will make our next home game a differnt result.
