Perrysburg Yellow Jackets Will Play The Three-Time State Champions St. Edward Eagles Week 3 Of The Playoffs

The Perrysburg Yellow Jackets will play in the third round of the Ohio High School Athletic Association Playoffs against the St. Edward Eagles.

The Yellow Jackets won their most recent play-off game 25-14 over the Berea-Midpark Titans.

“It was a great atmosphere,” said Aaron Crowley, a defensive end and special teamer.

“It was a fun time and opportunity,” Nolan Morre, a defensive end and special teamer commented.

The St. Edward Eagles have won seven of the last 14 state championships, including the most recent three consecutively, making them three-time state champions.

Head coach Dirk Conner said that, “Special teams win games” and “Good offensive drives without shooting yourself in the foot,” are what is needed to win.

The Yellow Jackets know that every player needs to do the best they have done all year to win this week.

Seniors’ Last Game At Widdel Field At Stienecker Stadium

The 2024 team became the 8th team in school history to win 10 games. The 2024 team also will make the 5th every trip to the regional semifinals after the last home game for the seniors.

Garrett Walker, an athletic trainer said, “It’s a great group of kids exceeding expectations.”

Nico Walkowski, a junior running back whose brother Paulo is also a senior, said, “It was sad but I’m happy to have been a part of it with them.”

This year there were lots of seniors playing. About senior leadership, “They do what they should do to set a good example” but, “it’s time for the next group, but it only helps when the next group decides to follow,” Conner explained.

Joe Seney, a senior running back and linebacker said, “Very emotional as a senior, last time I ever had and I’ve been playing here for four years.”

St. Edward beat Whitmer in Round 2 of the playoffs 24-7. They were able to control the ball down the field and not let Whitmer’s intense defenses push them around and control the field as the home team.

Round 2 Matchups

St. Ed’s was able to move the ball down field by connecting St Ed’s quarterback, Thomas Csanyi, with wide receiver Luke Hess for multiple passes and carries to win the game.

Perrysburg was able to beat The Titans from Berea-Midpark by a score of 25-14, the Yellow Jackets were able to run the ball constantly down the field with no problem of being stopped.

Sophomore back-up Quarterback Brady Maxwell ran the ball well with the team. Tivan Bennet, a tight end, had six receptions for 74 yards.

(Tight End Tivan Bennett Jr. caught the ball. The Yellow Jackets leading receiver against the Berea-Midpark Titans was Tivan with 74 yards. Photo taken by: Ken Falls)

Schedules And Common Opponents

St. Edward has the hardest schedule in Division 1 playing teams from multiple other States including St. Joseph Prep, the number two team in Pennsylvania, and 47th ranked nationally, and the Boyle County Rebels, who are first in Kentucky and 13th nationally. The Eagles also got to take on Clarkson North From Mississauga Arkansas.

The Eagles also played the number 1 and number 2 teams in Ohio. At number 1 is the Archbishop Moeller Crusaders who beat the Eagles 35-30. At number 2 is the Massillon Washington Tigers who beat St Edwards 31-21.

With the hardest schedule in Ohio football the Eagles have scored 329 points and only allowed 219. However with the 61st hardest schedule according to Fantastic 50, the Jackets scored 409 points and only allowed 127.

Quarterback Josh Takats said, “Team in general, it’s team effort and we all work together,“ on what needs to improve to play this week.

The Yellow Jackets played both the Whitmer Panthers and the Findlay Trojans in the regular season. The Eagles got to play both teams in the first and second rounds of the playoffs. Against these two opponents the Jackets had one win and one loss. The Jackets scored 50 points and allowed 41. The Eagles against these opponents scored 72 points and allowed 7. The Eagles have both scored more points and allowed fewer points than the Jackets.

Overall this season during playoff play the Eagles scored 72 points and allowed 7. The Jackets during playoff play have allowed 14 points and scored 72 points. The Jackets have played playoff teams with a record of 6-17 with the 35th hardest schedule and the 28th hardest schedule.

OHSAA announces Perrysburg vs Lakewood St. Edward’s third round football playoff contest will be played at: Elyria High School. The address of the stadium is 1915 Middle Ave, Elyria 44035 – it is about 2 miles south of the high school. $5 parking Tickets: https://ohsaa.org/tickets.

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