PERKINS - Mannford's perfect run came to a halt Friday night as Perkins-Tryon handed the Pirates their fi rst loss of the season, a 63–6 defeat that dropped Mannford to 4–1 overall, and 1-1 in district play.
"Tough night for us Friday," said Mannford Head Coach toughness standpoint." Mannford's road up until now, came against modest competition as they opened with a 48–6 win over Class 2A Perry, then rolled past Cleveland 33–16 at home. They followed with a 32–22 victory at Sequoyah Claremore and closed non-district play by handling McLoud 41–13. Each win came with plenty of balance and playmaking, but Perkins-Tryon proved to be the fi rst opponent able to match the Pirates' speed and toughness for four full quarters.
"This was the fi rst time in the season we faced some adversity and did not respond very well," said Gooch. "We had chances to keep ourselves in the game and give us a Give their And when it turns out to be the other team's night, it's not yours, on either side of the ball.
This was the way of it for the Pirates, who had outscored opponents 142–26 through the fi rst four weeks. Perkins-Tryon jumped out fast and never looked back, piling up more than 470 yards of o ense behind quarterback Beau Gravitt for six touchdowns.
Mannford's lone score came on a 45-yard strike from Max lopsided Moore found himself under pressure all night with the Perkins defense getting past Mannford's protection. He fi nished with 72 yards in the air, while JJ Hindsman led the ground game with 64 rushing yards on 13 carries - these numbers are literally fractions of what the Pirates have posted in their previous four games.
Head coach Kenny Gooch wants the team to put Perkins in the rearview mirror.
Goals for the season are still in front of us and we can achieve things to to The Pirates will look to rebound next week when they host 1-1 Bristow and prove that one rough night won't defi ne their season.