Short-handed Edison draws No. 1 Perkins

Perkins faces its second highly-ranked opponent in the last four weeks when the Pirates travel to Edison on Friday night. The Pirates are the No. 1-ranked team in this week's Associated Press state poll in Division IV. Meanwhile, the host Chargers are ranked No. 5 in Div. V. Both teams are unbeaten at 6-0. "It's exciting to have these big games and it's easy to get everyone's attention and ramp up the practices," Perkins coach Jalen Santoro said. The two programs entered Week 7 undefeated last year before Perkins rolled to a 49-14 win at home. "Obviously they return a bunch of kids and have a lot of talent," Edison coach Jim Hall said. "They're fast on defense and are really good up front." Edison still has fullback Cy Finnen, who leads the Chargers with 81 carries for 556 yards and six touchdowns, and gritty triple-option quarterback Abe Hermes, who ran for more than 100 yards last week in a win at Bellevue. Hermes has thrown five touchdown passes this season. "He's very good and can throw it well," Santoro said. "He's a competitor and a winner. He's confident and savvy and a guy Coach Hall trusts." When Hermes throws, Davin Wendt (17 catches, 266 yards, 1 TD) is his top target. But even without two top backs, don't expect the Chargers to chuck the ball around Freedom Field. "It's in our kids' DNA to run the triple option," Hall said. "Anything we can do to slow down their pursuit and we try to hit the line of scrimmage as quickly as we can." The Pirates will be facing a wounded Edison team. The Chargers will be without standout running backs Luke Blatnik and Bryson Wittmer, who both are out with injuries. The hard-running backs have combined for 574 yards and 11 TDs this season. They also are standout linebackers on defense, where they have combined for 66 tackles. "When you lose a couple good players at this level that's a major impact, but they do what they do and they're really good at it," Santoro said. "You have to be disciplined and stop the run. That offense is an equalizer. It's about being assignment sharp against the triple option." The Pirates, whose defense has pitched four shutouts this season, got some resistance last week from Clyde before winning 28-7. Senior running back Isaac Bunts had his usual big game with 157 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He's rushed for 1,012 yards and 17 TDs this season. Perkins linebacker Braxden Martin returns to the field this week after sitting out the past two games after suffering a concussion in a 28-22 win against Harvest Prep — the Pirates' only close call so far this season. The Pirates also broke in a new placekicker last week when freshman Danny Buga — the standout goalkeeper on the boys soccer team — took over for an injured Grant Hickman (another soccer player) and was a perfect 4 for 4 on extra points. "It's nice to have a soccer team like we have," Santoro said. "(Soccer coach) Paul Lea produces guys who can kick the ball pretty well. We have a very good relationship." Perkins needs four more wins to complete a perfect regular season and clinch the top spot in Region 14. Edison hosts Port Clinton (2-4) next week before closing the regular season against two teams that currently are 5-1: at home against Vermilion on Oct. 18 and at Huron on Oct. 25. "It's a big game," Hall said of Perkins coming to town. "We gotta do what we do and stay within ourselves and create as many problems as we can for them." Willard (2-4, 0-2) at Hopewell-Loudon (6-0, 3-0) BASCOM — A third undefeated SBC team ranked in the top five of the AP poll this week is in action, and it's the Crimson Flashes who face that challenge Friday night. Willard visits the Chieftains — the No. 3-ranked team in Div. VI — in an SBC River Division matchup. The Chieftains are paced by the backfield of Braylon Martinez (88 attempts, 553 yards, 9 TDs) and Kellen Frankart (69 attempts, 363 yards, 4 TDs). Quarterback Jacoby Ellis has thrown for 774 yards and 5 TDs on 65-of-103 attempts. Martinez adds 19 catches for 228 yards and 3 TDs, while Hopewell's top receiver is Jack Colatruglio with 28 catches for 383 yards and 1 TD. Defensively, the Chieftains are paced by Mason Reinart with 55 tackles and five sacks. Colatruglio has intercepted three passes. For Willard, QB Jake Rothhaar is 114-of-180 for 1,534 yards with 15 TDs and 9 INTs. His top target is Paxton Flores with 41 catches for 610 yards and 8 TDs. Flores has also rushed 24 times for 263 yards and a score. Also for Willard, Harry Meisner has 34 catches for 395 yards and 4 TDs, while Grant Shaarda has 229 yards on 15 catches. On defense, AJ Speller has 82 tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery. Flores has 47 tackles with an interception and a forced fumble.