(5) Glenville vs. (2) Perry football: Preview capsule for Nov. 22 regional championship game
Nov 21, 2024
(5) Glenville vs. (2) Perry
What: Division IV, Region 13 championship game
When: 7 p.m., Nov. 22
Where: Boliantz Stadium, 8006 S. Bedford Road, Macedonia
Records: Perry 12-1, Glenville 10-3
Perry’s path: Defeated Akron Buchtel, 42-6, def. Struthers, 3-0, def. Streetsboro, 45-21
Glenville’s path: Defeated NDCL, 47-20, def. West Branch, 13-0; def. Lake Catholic, 28-0
On deck: Winner will advance to the state final four to play the winner of Sandusky Perkins (12-1) and Ontario (12-1) on Nov. 29
For the record: The rarity of this game is nearly unmatched, with the reigning Division IV state champion Tarblooders facing the reigning Division V state champion Pirates. Glenville has three losses to its name, but they are to 11-2 Olentangy Liberty, 13-0 Avon and 11-2 Akron Hoban, all of whom are playing this weekend. Their marquee win is against Division I, Region 1 finalist St. Edward. Glenville smothered the state’s top-ranked Division IV team (per the AP poll) Lake Catholic last week, intercepting Lakes’ All-Ohio quarterback Frankie Trinetti four times in the first quarter alone. The Tarblooders hang their hat on a ferociously fast and aggressive defense, spearheaded by linebacker Cincere Johnson, one of the top juniors in the state if not the nation. Johnson (6-3, 225), and fellow all-district performers Jonell George (6-1, 235) and Di’marion Gill (6-3, 225) are bigger than anyone Perry has on their offensive unit. C.J. Newell ran for 87 yards in last week’s win over Lake Catholic. Aaron Scales is another playmaker for Coach Ted Ginn Sr.’s team. … On the flipside, Perry boasts an electric offense led by QB Walter Moses (2,315 yards passing, 29 touchdowns). He threw for 327 yards and five touchdowns last week against Streetsboro. Receiver Luke Sivon is closing in on 1,000 yards receiving and is a speedy deep threat. Carter Hopkins, who had 147 all-purpose yards last week, is closing in on 1,000 yards rushing in his sophomore season. The key for Perry will be not turning the ball over and putting its defense in a bad position. The Pirates have a fast and aggressive defense, led by end Trent Taylor, nose tackle Drew Smith and linebacker Owen McKoon. On the back end, Brody Petrucelli, Armani Chiappone, Vince Tomasic and Sivon are all strong defenders. Glenville’s big-play ability on offense is a potential concern for a Perry defense that has given up double figures only five times this season.
High school football: Perry-Glenville matchup highlights four area regional title games