PERRY, Ohio — Defense wins championships and the Perry defense came up with its best game of the season on Friday night.

The Pirates blanked West Branch, 21-0, to advance to the Division IV, Region 13 final. The top-seeded Pirates (10-2) will take on second-seeded Glenville (9-3) in a rematch of last year’s regional final.

The fourth-seeded Warriors (10-2) were riding a 10-game winning streak and scoring nearly 40 points a game. The Pirates’ defense sacked junior quarterback Grady Hirst seven times and stopped the Warriors many times in the red zone.

“Tonight, our kids prepared really hard. Our scout team gives the best look possible,” said Perry head coach Bob Gecewich. “So, a lot of times you’re trusting sophomores and freshman on the scout team to prepare for the game.”

The Warriors

See Full Page