Perry vs. Harvest Prep: Preview capsule for Division V state semifinal on Nov. 24
Nov. 23—Perry vs. Harvest Prep
What: Division V state semifinal
When: 7 p.m., Nov. 24
Where: Shelby WAC Stadium, 1 Whippet Way, Shelby
Records: Perry 14-0, Harvest Prep 12-1
Last week: Perry def. South Range, 32-0, Harvest Prep def. Wheelersburg, 22-0
On deck: Winner advances to the state championship game at 3 p.m. on Dec. 2 against the winner of Liberty Center (14-0) and Germantown Valley View (13-1)
For the record: The Pirates are in the state final four for the first time since 2016, while Harvest Prep is in this position for the fourth time, the most recent being in 2021. While the Pirates are the undefeated, top-ranked Division V team in the state, Harvest Prep has won nine in a row since a Week 4 loss to Center Grove (Ind.). Prep has cranked up the defense in the past five weeks, with only one team (Ironton) scoring twice against it. Perry is defensive-minded, too, with only four teams scoring double figures against the Pirates all season. ... Perry has had no problem scoring this year, but the Pirates will be tested by a big and physical Prep defense, including linebackers Dezmond Porter (6-1, 220) and Machello Cox (5-11, 205). Both have double-digit tackles for loss this year, as does defensive linen Elijah Lambert and E.J. Pierce. ... Perry is led by all-district quarterback Walter Moses, who has thrown for 2,021 yards and 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. RB Jayden Studio has run for 1,282 yards and 19 touchdowns, with Brayden Richards rushing for 370 and catching 39 passes for 669 yards. Luke Sivon has 37 catches for 838 yards and 12 TDs. ... But this game is going to come down to defense. Can Harvest Prep do what it has done the last three weeks and dominate defensively? Can Perry continue what it has done all season long and shut down the best offenses? Owen McKoon (123 tackles), Dom LaMacchia (74 tackles), Richards (65 tackles) and the rest of the Perry defense will need to come up big yet again to get the Pirates to their first state championship game in program history.
