by Written by Brennan Stang
On a Blistering hot Friday Night in Perrysburg the Yellow Jackets welcomed the Findlay Trojans. The Trojans came in 1-0 beating Toledo powerhouse Anthony Wayne. The Yellow Jackets came away with a loss to Dublin Jerome. The Perrysburg Student section sure showed out wearing all white and setting the tone early. I also had the privilege to sit next to Ben Roethlisberger’s high school coach, Cliff Hite in the press box.
It was safe to say both teams started off slow, with both teams going three and out. Perrysburg’s next drive seemed to be another slow drive until Yellow Jackets quarterback TJ Takats completed a third and 8 to junior running back Connor Walendzak for a 35-yard touchdown. Walendzak’s name would be called a lot throughout the game, making play after play. Findlay would show some promise with a 48-yard kickoff return from speedster Junior, Donovan Harris. However, Perrysburg’s defense forced another three and out. Perrysburg would take advantage, as Walandzak took a 14-yard pitch into the end zone making the 14-0 Yellow Jackets at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter was all Perrysburg, but somehow came with no point scored on either side. Some big highlights came from Walandzek on a 30-yard screen pass and a HUGE run-on 4th and 10 to get Perrysburg inside the Trojan’s red zone. Perrysburg seemed to have another score looking sharp until Takats was stuffed on a 4th and 1 on 1 yard line. Doesn’t get any closer than that! Considering all the offense by the yellow jackets, the Trojans were lucky to keep the score at 14-0. Walendzak finished with 152 all-purpose yards in the first half.
The second half started off with a silenced student section for Perrysburg as Findlay forced a three and out. On the ensuing punt, Findlay’s Ben Ireland took a 62 yard punt return to the crib putting Findlay on the board (14-7 Perrysburg). The Yellow Jackets responded with both Takat’s and Walendzak rushing all over Findlay. Takats would then take a 6-yard QB sweep in the endzone making it 21-7 Perrysburg. Heading into the fourth quarter, Walendzek once again scored from 13 yards out (28-7 Perrysburg) Special teams kept the Trojans in the game as Donavan Harris would take the kickoff return 92 yards! (28-14 Perrysburg). With about 10 minutes to play, the Trojans tried to catch Perrysburg sleeping by attempting an onside kick. Perrysburg would then chew off a lot of time until Takats fumbled on a mishandle from the center. Findlay just could not get their offense going. Perrysburg held them to another 3 and out and the clock would run out. Perrysburg came on top with a 28-14 win over the Trojans.
Player of the game: Connor Walendzak
Walendzak proved himself being one of the best running backs in the state no question. The Junior had 199 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Through the air, he had 107 receiving yards and another touchdown making him have 307 all purpose yards.
Next up for the Yellow Jackets will be St. John’s Jesuit. The Trojans will host Bowling Green High school.
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