by Canton, OH: For the first time in school history, the Indian Valley Braves (16-0) are State Champions, taking down Perkins (14-2) 37-36 in the Division IV title game. Mr. Football candidate Grady Kinsey ran wild, carrying the ball 36 times for 247 yards and five touchdowns. Kinsey even led the Braves in passing, going 1-1 for 50 yards.
First Half
Perkins received the game’s opening kickoff and began their drive at their 43 following a short kick by Indian Valley. The Pirates would get down into the red zone, but penalties backed them out near midfield. Facing a 1st & 35, Sam Schweinfurth found Blake Parker in the end zone for a 40-yard touchdown, giving the Pirates an early 7-0 lead.
On the ensuing possession, Indian Valley put together a long drive. Starting at their 34, the Braves covered 66 yards in 15 plays, getting on the board thanks to a 2-yard run from Grady Kinsey. The extra point attempt was blocked and Perkins held onto a 7-6 advantage.
Unfortunately for the Pirates, they fumbled the ball on the ensuing kickoff, giving Indian Valley great field position at the Perkins 46. Four plays later, Grady Kinsey took the handoff for a 12-yard touchdown. This time, the Braves converted the two-point conversion to take a 14-7 lead.
Perkins would find themselves in an uncomfortable position again on their next drive, facing 3rd & 20. Yet again Schweinfurth would come through clutch, this time finding Braylon Collier for a 54-yard score, tying things at 14-14.
Starting on their own 20 with just over five minutes remaining in the half, Indian Valley kept the ball on the ground, including a 40-yard run from Kinsey. On 1st & goal from the 2, Kinsey took another handoff into the endzone and a two-point conversion made it 22-14 Braves.
On the very first play of their next drive, Schweinfurth found Collier down the left sideline for a 70-yard Perkins touchdown. A successful two-point conversion tied things up at 22-22 heading into the half.
Second Half
Indian Valley was set to receive the second half kickoff, but were caught off-guard by an onside kick and Perkins recovered. Starting on their 45, it took eight plays for the Pirates to cover the 55 yards, getting into the endzone on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Schweinfurth to Blake Parker, who made a one-handed grab, to give Perkins a 29-22 lead.
It wouldn’t take long for the Braves to respond, as they covered 82 yards in ten plays, finding paydirt on a two-yard run from Kinsey, his fourth score of the game, tying things up at 29-29. Perkins would respond right away, as, on the fourth play, Schweinfurth found Braylon Collier for a 53-yard touchdown, his third of the game that gave the Pirates a 36-29 lead.
Indian Valley did what the do best on their next drive, pound the ball with Kinsey. On 2nd & goal from the two, Kinsey appeared to fumble the ball, but he recovered it in the end zone. A replay review confirmed the call on the field and Kinsey powered in for a two-point conversion to put the Braves on top 37-36.
With just over eight minutes remaining in the contest and trailing by one, Perkins started their drive on their 31. The Pirates would work the ball into the red zone, setting up a 4th down. Schweinfurth found an open man, but the pass was dropped, turning it over to the Braves.
Six straight carries from Grady Kinsey and a couple of kneeldowns sealed the deal, giving Indian Valley a 37-36 victory and their first ever state championship.
Top Performers
Indian Valley
Grady Kinsey: 36 carries 247 yards 5 TD 1-1 50 yards
Ryker Williams: 15 carries 112 yards 1 catch 50 yards
Perkins
Sam Schweinfurth: 18-24 370 yards 5 TD
Isaac Bunts: 16 carries 71 yards 1 catch 10 yards
Braylon Collier: 8 catches 207 yards 3 TD
