CLYDE, Ohio – Turnovers proved too much to overcome for Glenville as it fell to Sandusky Perkins, 13-11, in the OHSAA Division IV state semifinal on Friday at Robert Bishop Stadium in Clyde.
Perkins (14-1) advances to play Gnadenhutten Indian Valley – a 29-20 winner over Cincinnati Taft – next Saturday in Canton. Glenville, the two-time defending state champ, ends its season at 11-4.
In a rematch of last year’s Region 14 final, both teams struggled to move the ball. The difference was the Pirates capitalizing off four Tarblooders miscues – which they turned into 10 points.
“When you get to this level, you have to learn how to finish,” said Glenville coach Ted Ginn Sr., whose team won 16 straight playoff games prior to Friday. “It wasn’t God’s way this time. We have to continue to work and try to get back to this level next year.”
Despite the turnovers, the Tarblooders had multiple opportunities to take the lead in the second half.
At the end of the third quarter, a shanked punt and an unsportsmanlike penalty gave the Tarblooders a first-and-goal situation at the 10-yard line, trailing by two. On fourth down at the 3-yard line, the Tarblooders decided to go for it instead of kicking a go-ahead field goal.
The Pirates stuffed the ensuing run and took over on downs. It was the closest the Tarblooders would get the rest of the night.
“It was a hard-fought game. Our kids fought till the end, but it just didn’t bounce our way,” added Ginn. “I wanted to kick, but in the end, it didn’t get called.”
Following an opening drive that resulted in a Pirates 21-yard field goal, the Tarblooders responded in one play on a 62-yard run by Romell Phillips down to the 9-yard line. But a fumble on the ensuing play gave the possession back to the Pirates.
Ginn’s defense stood tall, bringing the pressure on a third-and-long to force a safety.
Two possessions later, the Pirates converted a short field from an interception into a 10-yard TD run by senior running back Isaac Bunts to build a 10-2 lead.
The Tarblooders regained some momentum on the following kick as Demetrius Harper returned it 80 yards to the Pirates 7-yard line. Sophomore QB LaMarques Greenwood converted on a 5-yard touchdown run.
Then, late in the second quarter, another costly fumble by the Tarblooders gave way to a 39-yard field goal by the Pirates to open a 13-8 lead with a minute to go in the second quarter.
The second half belonged to the defenses, as only two first downs were totaled after the break.
The Tarblooders scored the only points of the second half midway through the third quarter on a 34-yard field goal by Emiere Lemons to close the gap, 13-11. Greenwood’s 23-yard scramble – the Tarblooders only first-down of the half – set up the score.
The defense, which has fueled Glenville football all season, held the Pirates to one first down and 13 yards after the break.
But the Tarblooders offense was stifled by the Pirates, gaining only 58 yards in the second half.
The Tarblooders’ final chance came with a minute to go, when they took over at their own 15. But two sacks derailed any comeback effort.
“I’m proud of the kids. They worked hard all year,” said Ginn. “They’re young and it just wasn’t our time.”
Austin Opfer is a freelancer from Cleveland.