A first-play fumble didn’t phase Perry in its Division IV regional semifinal against Streetsboro on Nov. 15. With a defense that could stand the challenge and an offense that had quick strikes following Rockets scores, the Pirates took a 45-21 victory. They’ll take on Glenville on Nov. 22 at a location to be announced. Streetsboro started in Perry territory after the fumble, but the defense made the first of many stands in the contest, forcing a turnover on downs. Coach Bob Gecewich said the defense was ready for the sudden change. That side has been the bend-but-don’t-break side the whole season. “The defense has been the backbone of our team for 2-3 years now,” Gecewich said. “Unfortunately, those kind of things happen, turnovers and sloppy play. It seems like we’ve been bit by that a lot so we have to fix that going into next week. I don’t think our kids are phased one way or another, they just line up and go.” On the ensuing drive, Perry’s Walter Moses found his footing in the air. He completed his first three passes in the contest, including a 34-yard strike to Carter Hopkins for a touchdown. Moses said Perry couldn’t let the turnover bug get them like last week. The drive after the touchdown, a Moses’ pass was tipped and intercepted by Jackson Gula. “We have to play Perry football,” Moses said. “We came in knowing Streetsboro was undefeated and while we were the higher seed, we felt like the underdog, and our team likes that role.” Again, Perry’s defense came through with a tackle for loss on third down to force a punt. The Pirates followed that up with an 18-play, 80-yard drive that ended in a Colton Crissinger 24-yard field goal. Andrew Smith recovered a fumble on the ensuing drive inside Rockets territory to set up a 41-yard connection from Moses to Jimmy Ashburn to go up three scores “I think what helps is having someone like Walter in those situations,” Gecewich said. “He’s so calm back there. If I was back there, while I can’t run, I would take off and run, younger QB’s would do that. Walter is more of a field sense. Our guys never give up on the play and that’s how Jimmy ends up getting lost on plays like that.” Smith knew Streetsboro wasn’t going to go away. And it got on the board quickly after the score. The Rockets were aided by a face-mask penalty to get to the red zone, and Marcus Council took a sweep six yards to score. With three Pirates turnovers, Smith and the defense were ready for the sudden change and how to take care of those types of situations they were presented with. “Anything can happen and we have to be ready for those moments,” Smith said. “We fumbled it, we knew we had to stop them and score right after. It’s next man up and you have to beat your guy, simple as that.” The Pirates offense struck quickly again, as Moses found Carter Hopkins for a 73-yard score to put the Pirates back ahead by three scores. In the contest, Moses was 17-for-21 for 327 yards and five touchdowns. Hopkins finished with 147 all-purpose yards and three scores. Hopkins’ development has been a huge boost to the Pirates’ backfield this season. But the Rockets hit again before the half, as they marched down the field and Cohen Klimak called his own number for a 1-yard score. The senior quarterback for Streetsboro had 156 yards on the ground and two scores. Another fumble on Perry’s first possession of the second half again set the Rockets up for a Klimak 6-yard score. Perry responded again with a quick strike as Moses found Brody Petrucelli for a 52-yard score, the first of his career. The Pirates’ quick-strike ability helped them manage the gap in the contest. “We always have a next-play mentality when it comes to offense or defense,” Moses said. “The defense has done so much for me it’s the least I can do to repay them. It’s good to be able to go right down there and score again.” The Pirates’ defense held Streetsboro scoreless the rest of the way while Moses found Luke Sivon for a 20-yard strike and Hopkins iced it with a three-yard run in the middle of the fourth quarter. The score Perry 45, Streetsboro 21