By Bryce Hudik

Special to the Sentinel-Tribune

SYLVANIA — The Perrysburg defense held Southview to just 22 total yards in the first half at Nusbaum Stadium Friday night, while rivaling it with 344 yards of their own offense during the same 24 minutes of football.

That was more than enough to lead the Yellow Jackets to a 41-7 road win over their Northern Lakes League cross-divisional opponent Friday.

“We really take pride in our defense,” said Perrysburg senior defensive lineman Eric Bush. “We always try to go 110% every play, everyone was firing on all cylinders tonight, it was great. With us playing like that, it gives the offense momentum to make some plays.”

Starting slow, the Yellow Jacket’s offense found that momentum late in the first quarter when running back Zach Shroeder punched the football in from one yard with 4:06 left in the quarter.

Their next drive on offense, Perrysburg quarterback Josh Takats threw a 47-yard bomb to wide receiver Dominick Woods. This set up a one-yard TD run by Takats.

On the Cougars’ very drive, the Yellow Jacket’s defense really shifted the momentum. A down field pass was picked off by Perrysburg defensive back Grey Swanson.

The Jackets took advantage as a long Takats scamper set up a 32-yard TD run by Joseph Seney, extending the Yellow Jacket lead to 21 points with 10:11 still to play in the first half.

Perrysburg’s next score came when Takats threw a short slant to wideout J.D. Zeeb who shook off a few would-be tacklers and bounced it outside for a 34-yard touchdown.

Bush came up with a tackle for loss on Southview’s next possession, forcing a three and out. This gave the jet-fueled Perrysburg offense too much time and they executed the two-minute drill to perfection, capping off a memorable half with a Nico Walkosky four-yard rushing TD and putting the Jackets up 35-0 at the half.

After a scoreless third quarter from both sides, Southview showed some life in the fourth. Quarterback Will Mayzes threw a 67-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Dalen Selmon to erase the goose egg from the scoreboard.

Running back Carson Pershing capped off Perrysburg’s offensive scoring with a 20-yard touchdown run to end the game, marking the fifth Perrysburg player to score a rushing touchdown.

The only drawback on the night for Perrysburg was the penalties. Upwards of ten were called against them and coach Dirk Conner was very aware of the mistakes and how they could hinder future games.

“We have to be more disciplined moving forward,” Conner said. “It’s something we’ve had trouble with in a few games. It’s a point of emphasis and we must get better because there will come a time when it’ll cost us.”

Perrysburg stays unbeaten at 4-0, while Southview falls to 2-2.

“We’re dealing with some injuries right now, but we still have a lot in front of us, so we just have to be laser focused going forward,” Southview coach Steve Hardy said.

“As much as it hurts right now, we have got to learn from this in order to get through the meat of our season.”

Perrysburg had 456 yards of total offense on the night to Southview’s 180. Takats threw for 193 yards and a touchdown. Woods caught six passes for 136 yards and Pershing toted the rock 12 times for 111 yards and a score.

Perrysburg will take on Clay Friday at Steinecker Stadium.