The Perry Bluejays made their longest road trip of the season a successful one by hanging on to defeat the Algona Bulldogs 21-13.
Perry started the game with a 17 play, 70 yard touchdown drive that took 8:40 off the clock. The Bluejays converted three, third downs and one fourth down during the drive that was capped off by Eli Saemisch’s one yard TD run. Perry’s attempt for the two point conversion was not successful, but the Jays had a 6-0 lead. After the Bulldogs went three and out, Will Whiton returned a punt 28 yards to the Algona 39 yard line. Three plays later on a third and 12 from the 41, Whiton hit WR Nic Wilhelmi in stride down the far sideline for a touchdown pass with 7 seconds to go in the first period, it was 13-0 Bluejays.
That was the halftime score as well, but Algona took the opening drive of the second half and marched 80 yards in 8 plays to make the score 13-7. That was the only score of the third quarter. Perry did attempt a 25 yard field goal early in the fourth, but the kick by Ivan Garcia was into the wind and came up short. The Bulldogs, who were celebrating Homecoming, started the drive at 20, got one first down, but on a fourth and 2 at the their own 38 yard line, LB Hunter Brobst and Tackle Joe Olvera stopped the Algona running back for a loss and the Bluejays took over on downs. Whiton then ended a five play drive with his 11th rushing touchdown of the year on a 9 yard run. The 2 point conversion pass from Whiton to Adan Medina gave Perry a 21-7 lead with 7:36 to go.
Algona was not done as they got a quick score on their next possession. QB Jackson Helmers hit Edsel Carroll on a 42 TD pass and run to cut the score to 21-13. Algona missed the extra point attempt so with 4:11 remaining it was a one score game. Perry recovered the on-side kick and got the ball out to the Algona 45 yard line but had to punt on a fourth and 1. Algona got out to their own 35 yard line, but on the next play tried to go deep but Whiton grabbed his fourth INT of the year to stop the drive. Perry was unable to run out the clock, so after a punt, Algona had one last attempt with 17 seconds to go, but was unable to complete a pass and Perry ended the game with a sack by Olvera.
Perry had 210 yards rushing and 89 yards passing for a total of 299 for the game. Whiton led in rushing with 140 yards on 30 attempts. Blake Jans added 63 yards on 12 carries. Wilhelmi had 3 catches for 69 yards to lead in receiving. Algona had 144 yards rushing and 74 passing yards. Perry’s defense was led by Brobst, Olvera, Adan Medina , Jorge Soto and Solomon Pierce all making several key plays throughout the contest.
Perry moves to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in district play. Algona drops to 0-6, 0-4 in the district. Next week the Bluejays take on Greene County at Dewey Field in the annual Cowbell game, which Perry has owned the last two years. It will also be Senior Night as 13 seniors will be making their last regular season appearance at Dewey Field. Pregame coverage begins at 7PM with the Jason Olenjniczak Coach’s Show followed by kickoff at 7:30.