ADEL — A match between top 10 teams — especially if the combatants also happen to be bitter rivals — should, by rights, be filled with outstanding play on both sides and plenty of drama.
Such was exactly the case Tuesday, as Class 2A No. 7 Perry (11-3, 6-0) broke a 1-all tie early in the second half, then held on to top host and 10th-rated ADM (10-4, 2-2). The win secures the Raccoon River Conference title for Perry, their third consecutive crown and fourth in the past five years.
A win at Dewey Field Thursday over 3-9 Carroll — who has been outscored 31-5 in four RRC games — will give the Bluejays outright ownership of the league title.
“Great game! Tons of action and lots of scoring opportunities that were turned away by both goalies and defenses,” Perry head coach Gary Overla said. “It truly was a fun game to be involved with. Win, lose or draw, there are the kind of games that everybody wants to play in. Great atmosphere, great competition and well-played by both sides.”
Bluejay senior Jesus Rodriguez added to his league lead in goals scored by finding the back of the Tiger net just seven minutes into the game off an Alex Macias assist.
“How on earth Jesus gets open to shoot is beyond me, but he seems to find a way,” Overla said of his standout, who stretched the onion bag for the 17th time this season.
The score remained unchanged until three minutes into the second half when ADM’s Davis Barton put a little chip pass onto the foot of Eli Swartzkopf, who converted for the seventh time this season to tie the score.
“Both teams played their hearts out and we were fortunate to come out on top,” Overla said. “Defensively we had a hard time dealing with their overall team speed, but our kids adjusted and we made it work.”
Macias notched his fourth assist of the season in the 54th minute with a crossing pass that Anthony Velasco buried into the ADM goal with a strong header. The score was the fourth for Velasco this season and proved to be the last change in the score.
“Jehovany Rivera, Stephen Guardado, Cristian Guardado and Alexis Macias were really put to the test tonight and they responded the way competitors should,” Overla said. “They answered the bell and came out swinging. All-in-all, a great win in a great game.”
