Pirates Take Command of Casco

The Pirates and the Buckaroos went toe to toe on Friday in what ended up being an extremely evenly matched contest. St. Paul got off to the hot start in the first quarter, going up 16-0 on a 5 yard touchdown run by Ryan Piersen, and a 23 yard touchdown catch from Jeff Annen to Moises Rivera. Perrydale got their game in gear in the 2nd quarter, with Cody Comerford running for a 20 yard score. Later on in the second quarter, after stopping St. Paul and forcing them to punt, Perrydale drove down the field and scored on a touchdown pass from Daniel Lee to Thomas Gallagher. The 2 point conversion was good, as Perrydale closed to within two points of St. Paul, 16-14.

In the second half, with the rain coming down hard and the wind picking up, the Buckaroos came out hot again, taking their first possession of the half down the field and scoring on a 15 yard Pierson run, that put St. Paul up 22-14. The rest of the 3rd quarter, neither team let the other score, as both defenses dug in. In the fourth quarter, Perrydale found some renewed energy, shutting down the St. Paul offense, and then driving the ball down the field, scoring on a 13 yard touchdown scamper by Blake Barnes, to make the score 22-20 with just over 6 minutes remaining.

In what turned out to be the most crucial play of the entire game, on the ensuing kickoff, St. Paul fumbled the ball and Perrydale recovered, as both the Pirate bench and the Perrydale fans exploded with excitement. After driving the ball for a few yards to take some time off the clock, Perrydale QB Daniel Lee went back to pass as the pocket collapsed around him. Fighting to find some room, with a couple St. Paul players pulling him to the ground in what looked to be an inevitable sack, Lee let go of a throw that somehow found Blake Barnes on the 5 yard line.

Barnes fought off the tackle of a St. Paul defender to score the touchdown, giving Perrydale their first lead at 26-22 with just under 4 minutes left. After the kickoff, the Perrydale defense stiffened up, and shut down the Buckaroo offense. On Perrydale's final possession, Pirate QB Daniel Lee took a knee for 3 consecutive plays, as Perrydale ran out the clock to clinch the victory over Casco league rival, St. Paul.

Pirate QB Daniel Lee(12) rumbles for a good gain while Buckaroos' defenders give chase

St. Paul running back clears the corner as Perrydale's Cody Comerford(2) gives chase

Perrydale's Ryan Brooks(5) makes a nice open field tackle on St. Paul's Ryan Pierson(10)

Perrydale's Michael Angel(30), Cody Comerford(2), and Blake Barnes(22), wrap up St. Paul's QB Jeff Annen(12) for a loss.

Perrydale's Blake Barnes(22) and Michael Angel(30) nail St. Paul's Greg Rosa(22) just as he releases a pass.

Perrydale improved to 3-0 in Casco league play, while going 5-0 overall. St. Paul dropped to  2-1 in Casco league play, and 4-2 overall.

The win gives the Pirates sole possession of first place in the Casco League race, while St. Paul shares second with Coutry Christian and Falls City.

Perrydale visits Jewell (2-2, 1-2) Thursday. The Blue Jays defeated Country Christian 32-14. St. Paul hosts Country Christian (3-2, 2-1).

St. Paul         16   0   6   0  -  22

Perrydale       0  14   0  12 -  26

First Quarter

St. Paul - Pierson 5 yard run (Conversion successful)

S - Ramos 25 yard run (Pierson pass from Annen)

Second Quarter

Perrydale - Comerford 20 yard run (pass failed)

P - Gallagher 20 yard pass from Lee (Barnes run)

Third Quarter

S - Pierson 16 yard run (pass failed)

Fourth Quarter

P - Barnes 6 yard run (pass failed)

P - Barnes 22 yard pass from Lee (run failed)