FINAL 4: No. 3 Pumas look to upend No. 2 Chandler in semifinal rematch
(From left) Sophomore Connor Boyd, junior Kenny Fultz and senior Sean McMurphy celebrate during the 63-60 overtime quarterfinal win over Hamilton last week. The Pumas earned the right to play in tonight’s 6A semifinal at HHS against No. 2 Chandler.
We’ve never seen this before.
In Perry’s tenth year, the school has seen its share of football playoff games, but nothing like what we’re witnessing in 2016, and the laundry list of program-firsts continue to pile up: first time winning double-digit games; first time reaching the semifinals; first time beating Hamilton (twice); and the list goes on.
The Pumas (11-1) secured their spot in tonight’s semifinal with one of the greatest wins in Perry sports history – in any sport – last week by beating No. 6 Hamilton, 63-60 in an overtime thriller.
To say this group of Pumas has stepped up their game would be an understatement.
Head coach Preston Jones said the mental toughness and physical conditioning has really helped his team this year.
Now PHS is within one win of the title game, but it will not be an easy path. Tonight the Pumas will play at Hamilton High School against No. 2 Chandler (10-2) for the rights to go to the 6A state championship. Tonight’s game is also a rematch of the 44-35 setback the Wolves handed PHS on Oct. 7, where the CHS jumped to an early lead and never looked back.
“We need to change some things because they’re a really good football team,” Jones said.
In order for the Pumas to win, they have to find a way to keep Chandler’s running game in check. They also have to slow down the CHS defensive line, who had their way with the Pumas in October.
If PHS can continue its winning ways, they will punch their ticket to University of Phoenix Stadium on Nov. 26.
