BELLVILLE — No one had a better high school football opener than the Clear Fork Colts.

And no Colt kicked higher than Nash Evans.

In fact, it was Evans’ boot on a 29-yard field goal as time expired that delivered a thrilling 17-14 victory over defending state runner-up Sandusky Perkins on Friday night in Bellville.

That kick finished a see-saw affair that was in doubt throughout.

Brayden Hayes gave the Colts a 7-0 halftime lead with a 3-yard scoring plunge at the 2:33 mark of the second quarter.

The Pirates tied it when Sam Schweinfurth tossed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Kaden Legando.

Clear Fork answered on a 25-yard TD pass from Marcus Hoeflich to Ben Campbell with 3:40 showing in the third period. That made it 14-7.

Back came Perkins with Schweinfurth hitting Blake Parker on a 15-yard touchdown strike to knot the game at 14-14 with 9:05 remaining.

Those theatrics set the stage for Evans, who also drilled both extra points.

Hoeflich finished 12-of-23 passing for 129 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 43 yards. Hayes notched 43 yards on the ground, too.

For Perkins, Schweinfurth was 13-of-29 passing for 215 yards and two touchdowns. Logan Wadsworth caught three passes for 103 yards.

The Colts got the better of it statistically, enjoying an edge in first downs (15 to 11), rushing yards (150 to 45) and total yards (279-260). Perkins had an advantage in passing yardage (215 to 129).

Clear Fork will host Zanesville on Friday night. Toledo Scott visits Perkins next week.