Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
PERU - Tippecanoe Valley coach Scott Bibler entered Friday's 3A sectional football game at Peru concerned about the Tigers' big-play potential.
His worries were well-founded as two crucial plays hurt Valley in Peru's 21-17 comeback win.
With Valley leading 17-13 in the fourth quarter of Friday's first-round sectional game, Peru broke up an attempted screen play, forcing quarterback David Beyers to fumble. The Tigers picked up the fumble and scored a touchdown.
Valley finishes its season at 7-3, while Peru improves to 6-4 and will face Mississinewa, a 28-7 winner over Maconaquah.
Valley's wrecking crew defense held Brandon Jones, the state's No. 7 rusher, to just 54 yards on 11 carries, but gave up 201 yards through the air.
Two big plays hurt Valley, the fumble at the end of the game that made it 21-17 and an 80-yard pass from Peru quarterback Louis Sipe to receiver Prentiss Bennett to open the game, giving Peru a 7-0 lead.
"(Peru) only had a 5-4 record, but they got beat by some quality teams -ÊHamilton Heights, Northwestern and Lewis Cass," Bibler said. "We were concerned about their big play potential going in, and that's what cost us. I was pleased with our defensive effort against the run."
Peru's Louis Sipe was 13 of 18 through the air with one interception, while Valley freshman quarterback David Beyers finished the game with 116 yards on 5-of-18 passing with one interception.
Senior B.J. Cunningham led the Vikings on the ground with 87 yards on 17 carries, while Wes Backus added 42 yards on 12 carries.
Cunningham led the Valley receiving corps with 44 yards on two catches, while Trey Eaton added 42 yards on two receptions.
PERU 21
TIPPECANOE VALLEY 17
T. Valley (7-3) 7 10 0 0 - 17
Peru (6-4) 7 0 6 8 - 21
TV P
First downs 15 12
Rushing yards 169 83
Passing yards 116 201
Comp.-Att.-Int. 5-18-1 13-18-1
Total offense 285 284
Fumbles/lost 2-1 1-1
Punts/avg. 1-32 3-35
Penalties/yards 2-10 4-30
First Quarter
P - Prentiss Bennett 80 catch from Louis Sipe (Brandon Appleton kick) 7-0
TV - Trey Eaton 21 catch from David Beyers (Chris Hurd kick) 7-7
Second Quarter
TV - Greg Prater 20 catch from Beyers (Hurd kick) 14-7
TV - Hurd 16 field goal, 17-7
Third Quarter
P - Brandon Appleton catch from Sipe (kick failed) 17-13
Fourth Quarter
P - Jeremy Julian fumble recovery in end zone (Appleton conversion) 21-17
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing - Valley, B.J. Cunningham 17-87, Wes Backus 12-42, Jon Rice 5-21, Greg Prater 3-14; Peru, Brandon Jones 11-54
Passing - Valley, Beyers 5-18-116-1; Peru, Louis Sipe 13-18-201-1
Receiving - Valley, Cunningham 2-44, Eaton 2-41, Prater 1-31; Peru, Bernett 2-80, Appleton 6-79, Brandon Jones 2-7
