Perry Traditional Academy came up short in the battle of the statistics, but the Commodores won where it counts the most -- on the scoreboard.
For the sixth time in the past seven seasons, Perry won a first-round PIAA Class AAA playoff game, defeating Erie Strong Vincent last night at Cupples Stadium, 17-7.
Strong Vincent?s Mario Henry (24) has no rrom to run as Perry defenders Dom Brentley (20), Aundre Wright, (33), and Gary Nolen, (10) gang up for the tackle.Click photo for larger image.
The Commodores (11-1) intercepted seven Colonels passes, four by senior safety Paul Favers. The two biggest interceptions came from Jerod Venson and Gary Nolen, who returned them for touchdowns in the pivotal fourth quarter.
"We're proud of our young men for doing what it took to win the game," Perry coach Bill Gallagher said. "They showed the heart of a lion tonight. When anything went wrong, they rose up and played tough.
After three scoreless quarters, Perry took a 3-0 lead on a 39-yard field goal by Scott Knapp early in the fourth . During the drive, Favers had an apparent 2-yard touchdown catch from Knapp waved off when Favers was called for offensive pass interference. Perry was penalized 15 yards and flagged for another 5 yards for illegal procedure, putting the ball at the Strong Vincent 22 and forcing Knapp to try the field goal with 10:36 left.
Strong Vincent, with the help of more penalties against the Commodores, drove into Perry territory on its next possession. On first down from Perry's 37, Strong Vincent attempted a halfback-option pass. It was intercepted by Venson, who returned it 76 yards for a 10-0 lead with 5:31 left.
The Colonels (10-2) drove to the Perry 37 again on their next possession, but on second down, Nolen intercepted a Duane Hemphill's pass and returned it 66 yards for a 17-0 lead with 3:30 left.
"They were just great, athletic plays," Gallagher said. "Coach [Tim] Broderick [the defensive coordinator] had our kids in the right places. To run them both back, that was just good football."
Strong Vincent scored on a 20-yard reception by Andre Henderson from Hemphill with 2:28 left.
The District 10 champion from Erie held a substantial lead in first downs (18-6) and total yards, 264-119. Perry was also penalized 11 times for 115 yards.
But the City League champion Commodores came up with the big defensive plays when they most needed them. Six of Perry's interceptions occurred in the Commodores' territory. Perry defensive end Nate Arnett also played a stellar game, coming up with three sacks.
"We were out of kilter all night on offense, but it was stuff we can correct," Gallagher said.
"We had a couple drops and a couple missed assignments. It's all correctable. This game is another good teaching tool."
Perry will play Bradford in the second round. Bradford defeated Huntingdon , 25-10, last night. The Commodores defeated Bradford in the second round last season.
First Published: November 15, 2003, 5:00 a.m.