In a double-overtime thriller on August 21, 2026, the Perkins Pirates outlasted Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph (VASJ) 44-41. Kicker Danny Buga calmly drilleda 36-yard field goal in the second overtime period to cap a 14-point individual performance and secure the season-opening victory. VASJ opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Julian Harris to Teon Brassmon. After VASJ extended its lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter on a 3-yard run by Ronnie Taylor Jr. and a two-point conversion, Perkins exploded back into the game. Bryce Davie immediately answered with a 83-yard kickoff return touchdown, followed by a 31-yard field goal from Buga and a 16-yard touchdown connection from Grant Kuhnle to Dante Shipp to give Perkins a 17-14 halftime lead. The teams traded blows through a wild fourth quarter and overtime period: 3rd Quarter: Buga split the uprights from 47 yards out before VASJ's Julian Harris hit Ronnie Taylor Jr. on a 59-yard touchdown strike, keeping VASJ ahead 21-20. 4th Quarter: VASJ stretched the lead to 27-20 on a 1-yard run by Harris. Perkins responded with back-to-back scores—a 51-yard touchdown pass from Kuhnle to Kaden Legando and a 24-yard interception return TD by Dante Shipp—to take a 34-27 lead. VASJ tied it late at 34-34 on Jamir Martemus's 25-yard touchdown catch. Overtime 1: VASJ struck first with an 8-yard touchdown run by Leon Jackson. Perkins matched it under pressure as Kuhnle threw his third touchdown pass of the night, an 18-yard strike to Legando, sending the game into double overtime tied at 41-41. Overtime 2: The Perkins defense held firm, paving the way for Buga's game-winning 36-yard kick. Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT1 OT2 Final VASJ 6 8 7 13 7 0 41 Perkins 0 17 3 14 7 3 44 Key Team Statistics First Downs: VASJ 20, Perkins 9 Total Net Offense: VASJ 393 yards (188 rush, 205 pass), Perkins 239 yards (86 rush, 153 pass) Turnovers Forced: Perkins 3 (3 INTs), VASJ 1 (1 INT) Penalties: VASJ 16 for 125 yards; Perkins 3 for 30 yards Individual Stat Leaders Perkins Passing: Grant Kuhnle — 9/30, 153 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT Perkins Receiving: Kaden Legando — 3 REC, 88 YDS, 2 TD; Dante Shipp — 4 REC, 52 YDS, 1 TD Perkins Rushing: Dante Shipp — 5 CAR, 57 YDS Perkins Kicking/Special Teams: Danny Buga — 3/3 FG (Long 47), 5/5 PAT; Bryce Davie — 1 Kick Return, 83 YDS, 1 TD VASJ Passing: Julian Harris — 12/27, 205 YDS, 3 TD, 3 INT VASJ Rushing: Ronnie Taylor Jr. — 24 CAR, 113 YDS, 1 TD