The Gilbert Tigers outlasted Perry and spoiled the Bluejays quest for a Homecoming victory and their first District 2 win, beating the Jays 38-14 Friday night. The Tigers offense wore down the Bluejays defense and took over the game in the second half, a common theme since Perry opened up district play four weeks ago.
The first quarter ended scoreless even though the Tigers dominated time of possession, it took until the 10:47 mark in the second quarter for Gilbert to get on the board thanks to an Andrew Thatcher field goal after the Bluejays defense stiffened inside the 10 yard line. Gilbert went up 10-0 after a Cody Dvorak 4 yard touchdown, the first of three scores from the Tigers leading running back. The Bluejays struck back quickly on their first play from scrimmage with a 67 yard touchdown pass and catch from Alexis Garrido to Reece Dunlap. That is the longest play from scrimmage this season for a Bluejay offense that has sputtered as of late but was able to move the ball more effectively in Garrido’s second game at quarterback. Although it didn’t take long for the Tigers to answer as Dvorak put it in the end zone from 2 yards out to put the Tigers back up by 10 with the first half eventually coming to a close with the Tigers on top 17-7.
Perry started out with the ball to begin the second half and could have made it a one score game after driving the ball inside of the Gilbert 10 yard line getting as close as the five before settling for a German Alvaranga field goal attempt that was unsuccessful due to a high snap throwing off the timing of the play. The very next play Gilbert’s speedy quarterback Steven Lawerence took it 80 yards to the house putting the Tigers up 24-7 with 8:09 to go in the 3rd quarter. Perry wasn’t done as the offense put another good drive together getting back to the Tigers 5 yard line where Reece Dunlap struck again, this time from the ground, bringing the Jays within ten making it 24-14. The Tigers went on an eight play 80 yard drive on the following possession putting in the end zone with less than :16 left in the 3rd quarter on a 33 yard catch and run from Keegan Sturdy extending the Tigers lead to 31-14.
One more Dvorak 5 yard touchdown run with 3:10 left in the 4th quarter capped the scoring at 38-14. Unofficially, Steven Lawerence led the Tigers on the ground with 18 carries for 218 yards and one touchdown to go with going 12-21 through the air for 179 yards and another score. Dvorak added 90 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. Reece Dunlap led the Bluejays with 3 carries for 26 yards and added 89 yards receiving on 3 catches getting a score on the ground and through the air.
Gilbert moves to 3-1 in District 2 while Perry falls to 0-4. Perry hits the road next week traveling to Webster City, we’ll have all the action on 99.7 FM and AM 1310 KDLS starting with the Raccoon Valley Radio Network pregame show at 6:30.