-photo courtesy of X.com/PHGatorsFB
Perry Hall 39 Wooten 2
After a shaky Perry Hall first quarter, Senior Corey Costner decided to put the Gators on his back and scored four touchdowns in a 39-2 win over Thomas S. Wooten High in the 4A State Quarterfinals.
Wooten had a 2-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. On their first possession, Perry Hall fumbled the ball on a fourth-down play and the next drive resulted in a safety for Wooten.
Then Costner and the Gators got on track as Costner scored three second quarter touchdowns. Senior quarterback Terrell Hearn connected with Costner on a 30-yard and 36-yard touchdown passes. Costner also broke off a 96-yard run for a touchdown. Costner added his fourth touchdown on a 36-yard run in the fourth quarter and capped off his second quarter dominance with an interception.
Wooten’s offense was able to move the ball inside the Perry Hall 35 on five different first-half possessions, but couldn’t score. Two drives ended in punts, one possession ended with turnover on downs, there was a blocked field goal and the Costner interception before halftime.
The Perry Hall’s defense got stronger in the second half as Kornel Davis had a sack, Justin Ashe had an interception and linebacker Cameron Johnson ended the game with a 55-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown.
Perry Hall is the number one seed and is one win away from the state title game. They advanced to the 4A-3A State Semifinals where they will host North Point High School from Waldorf. The Gators are looking for redemption after they lost to Mervo in the 2023 State Semifinals. Perry Hall is seeking its first trip to the state title game since 1974.
Wise 39 Dundalk 14
The Owl’s season came to an end in Upper Marlboro as they fell to Dr. Henry Wise High School in the 4A Quarterfinals. Dundalk finishes the season with a 9-3 record.
