RAVENNA, Ohio — Glenville secured a decisive victory over Perry in the OHSAA Division IV regional finals, winning 35-7 on Friday night at Portage Community Bank Stadium. A pivotal moment came in the second quarter when Traxton Richards returned a kickoff 94 yards, marking Perry’s only score for the match. Despite this effort, Glenville’s defense held strong, denying further points.
Perry, who finished the season with a record of 10-3, managed to gain a total of 68 rushing yards and 61 yards through the air. This defeat marks their second consecutive loss to Glenville in the regional finals, having fallen to the same team in overtime last year, with a score of 12-6.
Glenville, also boasting a record of 10-3, displayed a powerful offensive performance. C.J. Newell was a standout, scoring three touchdowns in the first half. He rushed for 38 yards on eight carries, while teammate Romell Phillips added 62 yards on eight attempts. Additionally, Da’Von McDougle contributed 59 yards on six carries. Quarterback Arvell Nelson had an efficient game, completing 8 of his first 11 passes and finishing the night 8-of-16 for 114 yards. He connected with Joseph Saffold and Pauly Sadler for touchdown passes, with Saffold accumulating 77 yards on five receptions, and Sadler adding 37 yards on three catches.
Defensive Highlights and Future Matchup
The Glenville defense was equally impressive, led by Cincere Johnson, who recorded seven tackles, including a sack and a tackle for loss. The team’s cohesive play on both sides of the ball proved critical in their victory.
Looking ahead, Glenville will face defending state champion Gnadenhutten Indian Valley, who holds an undefeated record of 12-0, in the state semifinals scheduled for next week at a neutral site. Fans eagerly anticipate this matchup as Glenville aims to advance further in the postseason.
The highlights of the game can be viewed in the accompanying videos, which feature insights from players like Johnson and Newell, as well as Coach Ted Ginn Sr., providing a deeper look into the team’s strategy and preparation for the upcoming challenges.
