The Perry Bluejays traveled to Adel to begin the 2014 football season Friday night and fell to the Tigers 15-9 in a non-district battle.
Both teams struggled to get much offense going until late in the first half when Perry Perry-ADM Game Summary—
mounted a scoring drive—two catches by Nic Wilhelmi one 18 yards and the other 15, got the Bluejays to the ADM 12, but the drive stalled and with 2:08 to go in the half, junior Ivan Garcia drilled a 25 yard FG to give Perry a 3-0 going into half time.
Perry seemed to have the momentum as they were to receive the 2nd half KO, but a pooch kit resulted in a fumble that ADM recovered inside the Perry 30. 4 plays later JR QB Frank Whyland completed a 16 yard TD to Jake Sloss and with the PAT ADM lead 7-3. Perry mishandled the ensuing KO, but this time the BJ D stopped the Tigers. After Perry did not get a first down, Will Whiton boomed a 62 yard punt to put the ADM inside their 20…one play later the game was delayed due to lightening in the area for about 35 minutes. Afte the game resumed and an exchange of punts, Perry went on an 80 yard TD drive, the key play a 46 yard pass and run from Whiton to Blake Jans to put the BJ’s at the ADM 26. Two plays later, Whiton bolted up the middle for a 25 TD. The 2pt conversion failed and but Perry had a 9-7 lead late in the 3rd quarter.
ADM then marched down the field and scored on a Whyland QB sneak from 1 yard out, then converted a 2 pt play to give ADM the final points of the night and a 15-9 win. Perry had a couple of more chances inside ADM territory but could not get the big play needed to pull out the victory.
Whiton lead the BJ’s with unofficially 100 yards rushing on 24 carries. He also completed 14 of 24 passes for 175 yards. Receiving leaders for Perry included Wilhelmi making 4 grabs for 58 yards, Blake Jans had 2 catches for 50 yards and Tai Lucas 2 for 40. Defensively, LB’s Jans, Hunter Brobst, along with defensive lineman Joe Olvera and Jorge Soto stood out for the Bluejays.
Perry outgained ADM 305 yards to 232, but lost the TO over battle 4-1. Perry will look to get their first win of the season on Friday night as they take on the NP Comets at historic Dewey Field. We’ll have complete coverage of the home opener starting at 7PM with the pregame show, kickoff to follow at 7:30.