Perrysburg senior running back Jospeh Seney (32) runs toward the sideline during the Jackets’ 31-14 loss at Anthony Wayne. (Drake Harlett | Sentinel-Tribune)
By Bryce Hudik
Special to the Sentinel-Tribune
WHITEHOUSE — Anthony Wayne defeated rival the Perrysburg, 31-14, on Friday at Schaller Memorial Stadium, claiming the Northern lakes League Buckeye Division title outright and finishing the season undefeated at 10-0, including 5-0 in the conference.
The Generals earned the win behind an offense that punted just once and scored on four of their six drives. AW’s first points came with a 30-yard field goal off the boot of Will Horn at 8:50.
The Generals halted Perrysburg’s first drive and received a short kick at midfield. It took them just two plays to score. Quarterback Grant Kinnee launched a ball to wideout Dylan Tye, who made the catch along the right sideline end zone for the 31-yard score.
Perrysburg capitalized on a kickoff return that put them at midfield. Running back Nico Walkosky took a direct snap and rushed up the gut for a 11-yard score, putting the Jackets down just three with 1:07 left in the first quarter.
Anthony Wayne was driving on their next possession but faced fourth and goal from the nine-yard line. Kinnee dropped back and threw a wheel route, but it was deflected by Perrysburg linebacker Joseph Seney to keep the Jackets within a score.
Perrysburg took over and was driving but sputtered when they got into enemy territory. On fourth down quarterback Josh Takats’ pass was batted down by Aiden Lohmeyer.
Anthony Wayne took over with little time to work. They were able to move it to midfield with just seconds remaining on the clock. On the very last play of the half, Kinnee threw the Hail Mary and Ben Nieckarz came down with a 36-yard toe tapper in the back of the endzone, rendering the score 17-7 at half.
“We responded when we had to, they had some good drives on offense, but our kids also made stops when we needed them,” said Anthony Wayne coach Andy Brungard.
Anthony Wayne had 258 total yards at halftime with 78 through the air. Kinnee had 88 rushing yards and 83 passes. Perrysburg carded just 107 total yards of offense for the half.
Perrysburg came out in the second half and responded with a churning drive. At running back, Seney dragged several AW defenders en route to the end zone from 16 yards out at the 7:45 mark.
AW had an answer of their own though, again striking quickly. Five plays for 68 yards in three minutes thanks to a 55-yard play-action pass from Kinnee to Cam Miller, who caught it near the sideline and streaked into the end zone.
Perrysburg did not find the end zone again. The Jackets were knocking but the Generals’ defense sacked Takats, forcing a turnover on downs.
Anthony Wayne bled the remaining clock by marching down the field with an unstoppable rushing attack. Kinnee added to his touchdown total with a one-yard rushing score at 2:48 of the fourth.
“To milk the clock like that at the end against a tough physical defense was just huge. Our kids were in the huddle asking to run the ball and I think that’s what every coach wants is a group of kids that believe what we’re doing and are willing to go fight for it,” said Brungard.
The Generals offense put up 395 yards of total offense. Kinnee threw three touchdown passes, had 121 rushing yards on 21 attempts, completed 7-of-10 passes for 163 yards, and he accounted for 272 of the 395 total yards. His mate in the backfield, Braden Gardner, added 115 yards on 13 carries. Gardner also had seven tackles on the defensive side.
Perrysburg’s offense produced 263 total yards. Takats was 18-for-27 for 162 yards through the air, wiht J.D. Zeeb catching five passes for 32 yards, Tivan Bennett catching two for 16 yards, Lucas Graham catching five passes for 60 yards, and Dominick Woods had four catchers for 40 yards.
Walkosky added 42 yards rushing on eight carries and a touchdown and Seney had five carries for 41 yards. Perrysburg ends the regular season with a record of 8-2 and will be back in action in the playoffs, hosting a first round Division I game next Friday at Steinecker Stadium.
“I feel like we’re close and still have a chance to do something special things this season. We’re fine, that’s a really, really good football team,” Perrysburg coach Dirk Conner said.
“I think we’ve figured out some things and we’re going to continue to get better. We’re going to flush this and not sit there and lick our wounds. We feel like we got good things ahead of us and want to make a run in the playoffs.”
