Carey gets football championship weekend started with victory over Dietrich

POCATELLO — Dietrich played a solid first half, taking a 24-12 lead on an 80-yard touchdown run by quarterback Connor Perkins with six seconds remaining in the second quarter.

The Blue Devils (10-2) were unable to maintain the momentum from the senior’s massive play, as the Carey Panthers (11-1) outscored the Blue Devils, 32 to six, in the second half to earn a 44-30 1A championship win.

One of the issues that stunted the Dietrich offense in the second half was a leg injury suffered by Perkins. Near the midway point of the third quarter, the signal-caller went down clutching at his left leg.

He was eventually aided off the field, but returned.

Despite his being back in the game, Perkins was unable to run — he was unable to walk — and he could not hinge bodyweight onto his landing leg and was left throwing off one foot following the injury.

He led just one scoring drive while throwing a pair of interceptions following the injury.

While the Carey defense stalled out the Blue Devil offense, the Panther offense and senior quarterback Preston Wood was unstoppable.

Wood broke several huge runs, and completed several additional long passes en route to four unanswered touchdown drives.

Running back-linebacker Eddie Gamino, another senior, left his mark on the title-claiming win as well, breaking a few explosive plays on offense, snagging one of Perkins’ interceptions and recovering a last ditch-effort onside kick from Dietrich.

Dietrich suffered just two losses all season, both coming at the hands of the Panthers.

This is Carey’s third football state championship (2006 and 2008).