Outside The County-Peru
Results from Peru for Friday, October 6th
9 Tigers maul Warriors 54-6 to clinch share of TRC title
9 Peru traveled to Denver, Indiana tonight to take on the North Miami Warriors on their senior night. Peru entered the game 7-0, 6-0 in TRC play with a chance to clinch at least a share of the Three Rivers Conference crown. As warm-ups began, fall made its presence known with some cold gusty north winds, and light rain fell from the sky. The sun started shining to the west, just before it set right at kickoff.
North Miami won the toss, with Peru electing to receive. The Tigers started the night on their own 42-yard line. The offensive line dominated from the first snap. They raced 58 yards on 6 plays, capped off by Senior Alex Ross on a 2-yard scamper. Junior Landen Crowe converted the extra point for an early 7-0 lead less than 2 minutes into the game.
North Miami at the start looked like they were going to put up a battle, but their first drive stalled after 8 plays going 49 yards, and turning the ball over on downs.
Peru wasted no time, scoring again on 1 play after Junior Tanner Boggs scored on a 68-yard run. The 2-point conversion failed. Pushing the lead 13-0.
North Miami turned the ball over on downs on their next series in 4 plays.
Peru took over on the Warrior 42-yard line. A penalty backed them up to their own 48. 2 plays later, Senior Matthew Roettger scored on a 13-yard run. Senior Hayden Oldaker was good with the PAT, making the score 20-0.
Peru’s defense held tough again forcing North Miami to punt after going 3 and out. Peru managed to go 7 plays and 22 yards before turning the ball over on a fumble.
Peru’s defense again forced the Warriors to turn the ball over on a fumble recovered by Boggs. Ending the first quarter.
The Tigers’ next possession was back to business as usual, going 65 yards on 5 plays with Ross again finding the endzone on a 7-yard run. The ensuing 2-point attempt failed. Extending the Tiger lead 26-0.
North Miami’s next drive went 11 yards over 3 plays but ended up with Senior Brady Hahn pouncing on a fumble. Peru then struck quickly 2 plays later, with an 18-yard pitch and catch from Roettger to Boggs. Crowe was good again with the PAT, giving the Tigers a 33-0 lead.
The Tigers again forced North Miami to go 3 and out and punt. Peru again went 5 plays and 46 yards with Roettger scoring again on a 13-yard run. Oldaker converted the extra point, pushing the lead to 40-0 with just over 4 minutes remaining in the first half.
North Miami’s next drive stalled out after 6 plays ending with them turning the ball over on downs again.
Peru again drove 48 yards on 5 plays ending with Senior Avionne Jackson scoring on a 1-yard run. Crowe again converted the PAT giving the Tigers a commanding 47-0 lead late in the first half.
Senior Zach Smithers ended the Warriors’ final possession of the first half after 3 plays by intercepting a pass. Peru took one shot at the endzone and then elected to take a knee to end the first half.
Peru kicked the ball to North Miami starting the 2nd with the 35-point mercy rule running clock. Their drive was stalled by penalties going only 8 yards on 7 plays and being forced to punt.
Peru scored their final points with their first possession in the 2nd half. Striking quickly again 3 plays in with a 70-yard pass from Roettger to Boggs. Crowe with the PAT pushed the lead up to 54-0.
North Miami was forced to punt on their next possession, leading to the end of the 3rd quarter. Peru’s 2nd unit took over and went 25 yards on 8 plays leading to a 40-yard field goal attempt by Oldaker that fell short.
The Warriors’ best drive of the night was also their last. They traveled 80 yards on 6 plays capped off by a 25-yard touchdown pass. Their 2-point conversion was unsuccessful.
Peru recovered the on-side kick and took a knee to end the game.
The win pushed the Tigers record to 8-0, 7-0 in TRC play and clinched them at least a share of the conference championship. Peru travels to North Manchester next Friday night at 7 pm for a chance to finish off an undefeated regular season, the first since the 1937 team went 10-0, and an outright conference championship.
