Perrysburg senior linebacker Braxton Mefferd (4) celebrates recovering a blocked punt for a touchdown in the end zone, flanked by senior linebacker Joseph Seney (32), senior defensive back Dylan Blubaugh (15), senior defensive lineman Eric Bush (63), and senior defensive back Lukas Pollock (7). (Photo by Ken Falls)
By Bryce Hudik
Special to the Sentinel-Tribune
PERRYSBURG — Perrysburg football hung up 47 points on Medina Friday in the first round of the Division I playoffs on Widdel Field at Steinecker Stadium.
Perrysburg special teams stole the show, blocking two punts, one recovered for a touchdown, as well as recovering an onside kick.
Perrysburg’s first drive of the night churned seven minutes off the clock. The Yellow Jackets assumed their jumbo set and marched the length of the field, capping off the opening drive with a Joseph Seney one-yard rushing touchdown.
Their second drive was much the same, punctuated by a Josh Takats rollout pass to tight end Tivan Bennett, who broke a few tackles and artfully stumbled into the end zone at 1:37 for the 32-yard receiving touchdown.
On Medina’s ensuing drive, an errant pass was picked off by Perrysburg defensive back Lukas Pollock just before the first quarter ended with the Jackets leading, 14-0.
Perrysburg wasted no time in the second quarter. Seney added another five-yard rushing touchdown just eight seconds into the quarter.
Medina’s offense took over but went three-and-out and the ensuing punt was blocked by a gang of Yellow Jackets, then recovered by Braxton Mefferd in the end zone.
“We purposely work on blocking punts every week,” said Perrysburg coach Dirk Conner. “If you can make a big play on special teams, it obviously can turn the tide of the game.”
Blocked punts have been a common theme throughout the season for Perrysburg.
Immediately after, Perrysburg kicker Ben Sueberling dropped one in the bucket on an onside kick which Brady Maxwell recovered. Perrysburg’s next two drives ended in missed field goal attempts.
Perrysburg went on to block another punt attempt which led to Seney’s third rushing touchdown on the night at 3:28. Even with those two missed field goals Perrysburg was still able to put up 21 points in the second quarter and 14 in the first, making it 35-0 heading into halftime.
The second half remained scoreless until 10:32 remained in the fourth quarter. Running back Carson Pershing scored on a short two-yard rush. Pershing scored again from five yards out with little time left in the fourth for his second TD on the night.
“I thought the guys did well executing offensively but this was really a three phase of the game win. Glad to be able to do it week 11. We’re going to enjoy this but we’re looking forward to week twelve,” said Conner
Nico Walkosky rushed 16 times for 68 yards while his running mate, Beckett Walters, had five carries for 44 yards, Seney rushed seven times for 24 yards and the three scores, Mario Gutierrez had one carry for 15 yards and Pershing had five carries for 12 yards.
Takats completed 7-of-15 passes for 79 yards and carried the ball nine times for 20 yards. Dominick Woods had three catches for 25 yards and J.D. Zeeb had three catches for 22 yards.
Medina had 43 yards of total offense to Perrysburg’s 262, the Bees had four first downs to Perrysburg’s 17 and possessed the ball half of Perrysburg’s 43 minutes.
With the loss, Medina’s season comes to an end with a 2-9 record. Medina quarterback Beckett Vogrin completed 5-of-11 passes for 44 yards and three other quarterbacks combined to complete 6-of-13 passes for 35 yards, but the Bees were held to minus-27 yards rushing. Aiden Stallings was their top receiver, catching three passes for 32 yards.
Perrysburg (10-1) advances and will take on the Berea-Midpark Titans (4-7) next Friday in a regional quarterfinal at Steinecker Stadium.
