THE REPORTER
Guerin Catholic held off an unbeaten and host Peru team on Friday to advance to the Class 3A Sectional 28 semifinals.
The Golden Eagles, ranked No. 2 in the IFCA poll and No. 3 in the Associated Press poll, beat the Tigers (No. 9 AP) 27-19. Peru scored first on a 79-yard run by Tanner Boggs less than a minute into the first quarter.
Guerin Catholic answered back right away. Peter Rooney made a big run of his own, dashing 53 yards into the end zone. As a result, the quarter finished in a 6-6 tie.
The Golden Eagles pulled away in the second quarter thanks to two throws from Ryan Zimmerman. The quarterback first found Hayden Cler for a 30-yard touchdown pass, and Guerin Catholic was in front for good. Zimmerman then tossed a 28-yard scoring pass to Malcolm Houze with 2:12 left to go. Peyton Butts made both extra-point kicks, and GC led 20-6 at halftime.
The Tigers cut the lead to 20-13 after three quarters, as Braxton Strong caught a 49-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Roettger. Guerin Catholic got one more score, as Rooney made an eight-yard TD run with 4:57 to go, and Butts was good on the extra-point kicks. Peru scored one more touchdown with 2:09 left, but the Golden Eagles held on for the win.
Zimmerman had a tremendous night, going 18-for-27 and totaling 193 yards. Houze also played outstanding with nine catches. Rooney led the rushing with 116 yards.
Guerin Catholic is 8-2 for the season and hosts No. 1-ranked Bishop Chatard in next Friday’s semifinals.
GUERIN CATHOLIC 27, PERU 19
Score by Quarters
Guerin Catholic 6 14 0 7 – 27
Peru 6 0 7 6 – 19
Team Stats GC PERU
First Downs 15 13
By Rush 4 9
By Pass 11 4
By Penalty 0 0
Rushes-Yards 35-110 43-172
Yards Passing 193 124
Comp-Att-Int-TD 18-27-0-2 6-15-1-1
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 1-1
Penalties-Yards 5-35 4-31
Punts-Average 4-35.0 6-26.7
Guerin Catholic Scoring
First Quarter
10:26 – Peter Rooney 53-yard run (kick failed)
Second Quarter
4:18 – Hayden Cler 30-yard pass from Ryan Zimmerman (Peyton Butts kick)
2:12 – Malcolm Houze 28-yard pass from Zimmerman (Butts kick)
Fourth Quarter
10:03 – Rooney 8-yard run (Butts kick)
Guerin Catholic individual stats
Rushing: Roobey 26-116, Jack Linden 4-11, Gavin Stella 1-4, Zimmerman 1-minus 1, Houze 1-minus 4, team 2-minus 16.
Passing: Ryan Zimmerman 18-27-193.
Receiving: Houze 9-95, Cler 4-66, Linden 3-26, Harrison Miller 1-6, Rooney 1-0.