The Perry varsity football team ended their losing streak and spoiled a homecoming Friday night, as they won 31-27 at Gilbert.
Playing without five starters in the first quarter, three due to injury and two from one-quarter suspensions, the Bluejays held the Tigers to a single touchdown in the period. The Gilbert kicker missed the extra point, however, and the Tigers were ahead 6-0 after one quarter. The second quarter fared much better for the Bluejays, as linebacker Jon Flores intercepted a pass on the first play. With quarterback Alexis Garrido back in the game after serving his one-quarter suspension, he led the offense on a three-play drive that resulted in a 17-yard touchdown catch by Brandon Kenyon. Perry’s 7-6 lead was short-lived, as Gilbert marched down the field on the next drive, scoring on an 8-yard touchdown run from Eric Swart.
Perry re-took the lead two drives later as Garrido hit Kenyon on a slant pattern, which the receiver took 67 yards for a touchdown. Gilbert got close to another touchdown on the next drive, but fumbled the ball out of the end zone, resulting in a touchback for Perry. Perry took the ball down the field, where kicker German Alvarenga kicked a 19-yard field goal with 3 seconds left in the half, giving Perry a 17-13 lead at halftime. In the third quarter, Gilbert once again reclaimed the lead on fullback Mitchell Johnson’s second touchdown run of the game. Perry would answer on the next drive, though, scoring on a 20-yard touchdown pass to Reece Dunlap. The back-and-forth game swung back to Gilbert in the fourth quarter when quarterback Matt Barragy scored on a sneak from the 1-yard line. However, on the ensuing drive, Garrido found Kenyon in the end zone for the third time in the game for what would prove to be the game-winning touchdown.
Perry was able to run out the clock to end the game, claiming a 31-27 win over Gilbert, improving their record to 2-4 on the season. Next week they will host Webster City. Listen to FM 99.7, AM 1310 KDLS next Friday at 7 p.m. for live play-by-play action of Bluejays football.