Leopards Fall on Last Second Kick, Jones Becomes All-Time Leading Passer

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Perry 30, Louisville 28

Beatty's Sports Football 2018 Schedule Shirt T-ShirtLincoln Warstler made a game-winning 29 yard field goal with 3 seconds remaining to lift the Perry Panthers past the Louisville Leopards 30-28 Friday Night at Louisville Leopards Stadium. With the loss, Louisville falls to 2-3 on the year.

Colton Jones completed 29 of 36 passes for 223 yards and threw 3 touchdowns to lead the Leopards on offense. Ryan Pukys was his top target catching 10 passes for 69 yards. The pair converted a 3rd-and-7 with 3:46 left in the second quarter. On that pass Jones surpassed Neal Seaman (5,170 Yards in 2007-2008) for most career passing yards in team history. With his total from Friday’s game, Jones has now thrown for 5,298 yards in his 21-game career.

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Jones Throws Three Touchdown Passes in Louisville Rally

All three of Jones’ touchdown passes were caught in the endzone. Trailing 14-0, Jones got Louisville on the board in the second quarter with a 12 yard strike to Grayson Beamer. Later in the quarter he hit Jason Goard in the right corner of the endzone from 2 yards out. Finally, Jones found Justin Broad wide open in the left side of the endzone for a touchdown that tied the game at 27-27 with just 59 seconds left in the game. Sophomore Placekicker Myles Lab booted home the extra point to give the Leopards their first lead of the game at 28-27.

Perry’s Game Winning Drive

Lingenhoel Group - Arden and Lisa Lingenhoel - Cutler Real Estate AdThe Panthers (4-1) ended up with excellent field position on their game-winning drive after a 24 yard kick return by Junior Fullback Dominic Vinas brought the ball out to their own 49 yard line. There was a long injury timeout on their first series, but eventually they faced a 3rd-and-2 from the LHS 43. Quarterback Hayden Vinas broke free to the right for 17 yards via a hole created by blocks from Runningback’s Kyle Middaugh and Joshua Lemon to put Perry on the Louisville 26.

After a spike and an incompletion, Hayden Vinas again converted a 3rd-and-10 with a 14 yard run to the left behind the blocking of Senior Tackle Adam Luster. That put the Panthers on the Leopard 12 with 7 seconds to go. After a timeout was taken by both teams, Warstler lined up for the game-winning field goal attempt. The Junior kicker split the uprights with 3 seconds left as Leopard Nation tasted heartbreak on a last second field goal make for the second time this season.

Panthers Take 14-0 1st Quarter Lead

Perry took control of the game early on with a pair of first quarter touchdowns. A tipped pass on the Leopards opening drive was intercepted by Junior Devonte Armstrong at the Panther 20 yard line and returned 18 yards to their own 38. Perry turned the takeaway into points with an 8 play, 62 yard scoring drive that featured all running plays. Senior Fullback Dion Cundiff ran for for 11 yards to convert a 3rd-and-5 on Perry’s first series. Then Lemon scampered 41 yards to the left on the next play to set the Panthers up with a 1st-and-goal from the 5 yard line. Cundiff eventually scored on 4th-and-goal from a yard out to put PHS up 7-0.

The Panther defense came up big again on the Leopards next drive. On 4th-and-1 from the Perry 41, a Louisville run was stopped for no gain by the Panther defensive line led by Senior Max Millin. After the stop, Perry drove 59 yards on 6 plays to take a two touchdown lead with 45 seconds to go in the opening quarter. Three straight first down runs by Cundiff and Lemon put the Panthers in Leopards territory. On 2nd-and-16 after a holding call, Lemon found a gap and ran 28 yards to pay dirt to make it 14-0 in favor of the visitors.

Leopards Rally to the Tie the Game

My Fit Life Personal Trainer AdLouisville rallied back in the second quarter with back-to-back touchdowns. On the ensuing drive, the Leopards marched 70 yards on 10 plays to get on the scoreboard. Jones found Pukys for a gain of 14 to convert a 3rd-and-7 and the pair connected again for a gain of 16 two plays later. Sophomore Runningback Connor Adelman also ran for a 13 yard gain across midfield in-between those Jones to Pukys hook-ups. A few plays later he rushed ahead for a 3 yard gain to convert a 4th-and-1. That setup a 12 yard touchdown pass from Jones to Beamer in the middle of the endzone with 9:35 to play in the second quarter. Jones and Beamer would hook up 5 times for 63 yards during the game. The extra point was no good leaving the score at 14-6. 

The Leopards defense came up huge on the Panthers next drive. Perry continued to use their Wing T rushing attack to move into Louisville territory. On 4th-and-2 from the LHS 33, Senior Linebacker Max Stamey swooped into the backfield for the initial hit and Senior Nathan Guiley and Junior Tony Brahler made the tackle on the ball carrier short of the line to gain. Louisville took over from their own 32.

The Leopards offense went to work using 12 plays to drive 68 yards for the game-tying touchdown. Louisville converted 3 third downs and was aided by 2 defensive pass interference infractions against the Panther defense. Jones found Pukys on a bubble screen to convert a 3rd-and-7, which was the same play that made him the all-time leader in passing yards. A pass interference call on the next play moved the ball to the PHS 30 and another pass interference call on 3rd-and-10 gave the Leopards new life at the PHS 15. Facing another 3rd-and-7, Jones rolled to his right and completed a pass to Senior Wide Receiver Davis Burick for a gain of 11 to the 1 yard line. Burick would finish with 5 catches for 43 yards on the evening.

Two plays later, Jones went to his right again and found the 6’5 Goard for his first varsity touchdown reception to cut the deficit to 14-12. Adelman took the direct snap on the two-point try, rushed forward, stopped, and popped a pass over the top that found another 6’5 target in Beamer in the back of the endzone. With 58 seconds left before halftime it was a new ball game at 14-14.

Perry Snatches the Lead Back Before Halftime

The Panthers wasted no time in storming down the field to snatch the lead back before heading into the locker room. There was no kick return as a loose squib kick was fallen on at the Perry 19 yard line. That didn’t stop the Panthers who remained on the ground to start the drives. Via a block by Cundiff, Lemon took the handoff and ran a sweep to the left that netted 38 yards into Leopards territory at the 43. Then Perry threw just their second pass in 6 quarters against Louisville (counting last year’s game). Hayden Vinas dropped back and heaved a pass deep down field to Armstrong who had a step on his defender. He caught the ball at the 6 and ran into the endzone to put Perry ahead 21-14 with 27 seconds to go before the intermission.

Louisville Turns Fumble Recovery Into Points

The Panthers received the ball first in the second half and looked poised to add to their advantage. Just across midfield, hits by Senior Linebacker Nick Granitsas and Goard jarred the ball free of its carrier and Broad quickly pounced on it at the Louisville 38 yard line.

The Leopards began the third of their four double digit play scoring drives on the night. Louisville continued to stay efficient on third down to key the drive. Off a big block by Goard, Guiley ran a sweep to the right and kept his feet moving down the right sideline for a gain of 23 yards on 3rd-and-5. On their next series of downs, Adelman ran for 5 yards on 3rd-and-2 to the Panther 21. The next two plays netted no yards and the Leopards again found themselves facing third down. Going to his left, Jones connected with Beamer for a 21 yard completion to convert the 3rd-and-10 moving the ball to the 3 yard line.

Louisville hurried to the line and ran a sweep to the right with Adelman who scored via key blocks from Senior Center Austin Griggy and Junior Wide Receiver Dan Kennedy. Lab’s extra point was good and the game was tied again at 21-21 with 7:10 remaining in the third.

Leopards Defense Gets Back-to-Back Stops

The Leopards defense came up with two big stops during the Panthers next two possessions. However, Louisville could not take advantage of the stops as their offense went three-and-out on both possessions that followed.

Perry drove across midfield on the first drive to the 43 yard line. On second down, Adelman and Brahler stormed into the backfield to drop the Panthers for a two yard loss setting up a 3rd-and-11. Perry remained adamant about staying on the ground and ran up the middle on the next play. The play netted just a yard as the Leopards defense led by Stamey closed in to make the stop. The Panthers punted.

Perry moved the chains twice on their next drive before facing a 3rd-and-1 from the Louisville 35 yard line. Goard blew up a sweep to the left for a one yard loss setting up 4th-and-2. The Panthers were inches from moving the sticks again, but Kennedy shot in from his Safety position to knock the ball carrier back before he could reach the line to gain. The Leopards took over on their own 34.

Panthers Go Ahead in the Fourth Quarter

After four straight scoreless possessions, Perry took the lead back when Cundiff broke loose for a 51 yard touchdown run on 3rd-and-9. Off another block by Millin, Cundiff ran through the middle of the line to the right before weaving back left into the open field to put PHS up 27-21 with 4:48 left to play.

The 5 play, 75 yard Panther scoring drive was setup by a 16 yard first down run by Cundiff and a 13 yard first down run by Middaugh to the PHS 49. Louisville was called for a substitution infraction before the extra point, but Perry Head Coach elected to decline it keeping the extra point kick in its usual spot. The snap on the attempt was high and tipped off the hands of the holder and over the head of the kicker. The Panthers fell on it deep in the backfield leaving the score at 27-21.

Louisville Takes 28-27 Lead in Final Minute

The Leopards went to the air on 10 of their 11 plays during their 78 yard go-ahead scoring drive. Jones hit Broad, Beamer, and Pukys for three straight first downs to begin the drive taking the ball across the midfield stripe to the 43 yard line. Louisville faced a 3rd-and-9 on the next series, but LHS remained unfazed by third down. Jones rolled to his right and rifled a pass to Beamer who hauled it in for a gain of 17 to the Perry 25. Two plays later, Jones dropped a pass into the outstretched hands of Pukys who was running an out route to the right. The play netted 13 yards to the Panthers 11 with under two minutes to play.

The Leopards faced their 15th third down of the contest after a first down run went for a no gain and a second down pass fell incomplete. Out of a Perry timeout, Jones dropped back into the pocket and threw left to Broad who was wide open in the endzone. Broad made his first touchdown reception of the season to knot the game at 27-27 with 59 seconds to play. Broad, who did not have a catch all season coming into Friday, caught 7 passes for 44 yards. Lab split the uprights on the extra point giving Louisville a 28-27 lead, but it would be short-lived as the Panthers drove down for a game-winning kick of their own.

Louisville Vs. Perry All-Time Series

With the loss, the Leopards have now lost 11 of their last 12 games against the Panthers. Perry now leads the all-time series 18-11, which includes a 10-5 mark in games played at Louisville. The Leopards have not beaten the Panthers since a 21-13 home victory on September 15, 1995. Louisville has surrendered the past five meetings since that win. The 58 combined points is the highest total in series history eclipsing the 55 points scored in the 1974 game that Perry won 28-27. 

UP NEXT: The Leopards will next host the Warren Howland Tigers on Friday, October 4 at 7:00 PM from Louisville Leopards Stadium. Freshman will travel to Howland on Thursday, October 3 at 5:00 PM and JV will also hit the road to face the Tigers on Saturday, October 5 at 10:00 AM. 

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Perry at Louisville Scoring Summary

PANTHERS 30, LEOPARDS 28

Team 1-2-3-4–TOTAL

Perry 14-7-0-9–30

Louisville  0-14-7-7–28

1st Quarter

PERRY – Dion Cundiff 1 Yard Run (Lincoln Warstler Kick) | LHS 0, PHS 7, 5:50
8 Play, 62 Yards

PERRY – Johsua Lemon 28 Yard Run (Lincoln Warstler Kick) | LHS 0, PHS 14, 0:45
6 Plays, 59 Yards

2nd Quarter

LOUISVILLE – Grayson Beamer 12 Yard Pass from Colton Jones (Kick Failed) | LHS 6, PHS 14, 9:33
10 Plays, 70 Yards

LOUISVILLE – Jason Goard 2 Yard Pass from Colton Jones (Grayson Beamer Pass from Connor Adelman) | LHS 14, PHS 14, 0:58
12 Plays, 68 Yards

PERRY – Devonte Armstrong 43 Yard Pass from Hayden Vinas (Lincoln Warstler Kick) | LHS 14, PHS 21, 0:27
2 Plays, 81 Yards

3rd Quarter

LOUISVILLE – Connor Adelman 3 Yard Run (Myles Lab Kick) | LHS 21, PHS 21, 7:10
10 Plays, 62 Yards

4th Quarter

PERRY – Dion Cundiff 51 Yard Run (Conversion Failed) | LHS 21, PHS 27, 4:48
5 Plays, 75 Yards

LOUISVILLE – Justin Broad 11 Yard Pass from Colton Jones (Myles Lab Kick) | LHS 28, PHS 27, 0:59
11 Plays, 78 Yards

PERRY – Linclon Warstler 29 Yard Field Goal | LHS 28, PHS 30, 0:03
7 Plays, 51 Yards

Records: Perry 4-1, Louisville 2-3

Perry at Louisville Team Stats

First Downs
Perry: 19 (18 rushing, 1 passing)
Louisville: 22 (5 rushing, 14 passing, 3 penalty)

Total Yards
Perry: 457 yards on 53 plays (8.63 average)
Louisville: 301 yards on 65 plays (4.63 average)

Rushing
Perry: 48 carries, 406 yards, 3 touchdowns
Louisville: 29 carries, 78 yards, 1 touchdown

Passing
Perry: 2 of 5 for 51 yards, 1 touchdown
Louisville: 29 of 36 for 223 yards, 3 touchdowns 1 interception

Fumbles/Lost
Perry: 1/1
Louisville: 0/0

Penalties/Yds
Perry: 9 for 80 yards
Louisville: 1 for 10 yards

3rd Down Conversions
Perry: 5 for 8 (62.5%)
Louisville: 9 of 15 (60.0%)

4th Down Conversions
Perry: 0 of 2 (0.0%)
Louisville: 1 for 2 (50.0%)

Perry at Louisville Individual Stats

Rushing:

Perry
Dion Cundiff 20 carries, 180 yards, 2 touchdowns
Joshua Lemon 20 carries, 177 yards, touchdown

Louisville
Nathan Guiley 11 carries, 51 yards
Connor Adelman 14 carries, 36 yards, touchdown

Receiving:

Perry
Devonte Armstrong: 1 catch, 43 yards, touchdown

Louisville
Ryan Pukys: 10 catches, 69 yards
Justin Broad: 7 catches, 44 yards, touchdown
Grayson Beamer: 5 catches, 63 yards, touchdown
Davis Burick: 5 catches, 43 yards
Jason Goard: 1 catch, 2 yards, touchdown
Dan Kennedy: 1 catch, 2 yards

Passing:

Perry
Hayden Vinas 2 of 5 for 51 yards, touchdown

Louisville
Colton Jones 29 of 36 for 223 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception

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