Foothill quarterback Mason Dew (9) passes during a high school football game against Centennial at Foothill in Henderson Friday, Sept. 2, 2022.
Friday, Sept. 2, 2022 | 9:42 p.m.
The Foothill football team entered tonight’s game against visiting Centennial with the mentality that they were better than their 0-2 record indicated.
That theory was quickly proven correct as the Falcons scored the initial 24 points of the game in a 31-15 victory.
They wore down late in northeast Ohio to open the season two weeks ago and last week couldn’t match the athleticism of a team from the Los Angeles area. But even in defeat, coach Vernon Brown knows his team improved.
“We had a chance to play against some great competition and show our guys what big time football looked like,” Brown said.
Keshawn Wilridge opened the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown run for Foothill, and Mason Dew tossed touchdown passes to Tarrell Mack-Lovely and Ryan Perkins for a 21-0 lead. Diego Souza drilled a 36-yard field goal before halftime.
Perkins, a standout on the Foothill basketball team, is excelling in his maiden season on the gridiron, Brown said. That was witnessed by the touchdown reception in the back of the end zone where he made an acrobatic grab and stayed in bounds.
“He’s a tremendous talent,” Brown said.
Jacob Pedrano scored the last Foothill touchdown in the second half, and the Falcons’ defense — led by linebacker Nathan Anderson, defensive back Ternillia Thomas and nose guard Lawrence Houston — helped fight off a late rally from Centennial.
“Anderson has been outstanding all season,” Brown said. “He’s been all over the field. And Thomas, that’s a Division I corner.”
The schedule doesn’t get any easier for Foothill, who next week plays at Desert Pines (2-1). Desert Pines has recorded a shutout in beating its last two opponents.
“Hopefully (tonight) can snowball into a few more wins,” Brown said.
