Hearing the names Perry and Basha in a single sentence already causes tension but adding the word football makes both schools heated for what is known as the battle of Val Vista. With the football team having a record of 8-1 compared to Basha’s 3-6 record, the pumas are expecting their first win after being in a four year losing streak to this rival high school.  

This game being the last of the season, the Pumas hope to end on top, having one of their all time best records since 2011 when they had a record of 9-3. The year 2011 also marked the first and last victory for the Pumas against the Bears, with the final score being 56-38. After that year, it was the end to the strong football program, but the beginning of continuous humiliation in regards to this school rivery.

However, 2016 has marked as a year of change, as Perry has moved to 4th in the state and 98th in the nation, making it their best year in school history and with the victories against two powerhouses of football, Brophy and Hamilton, the team has set themselves up for a repeat of 2011: a win against the Bears.

Although, Perry’s records and stats have led to the belief of a Puma victory, anything can happen with a game against a rival. After last year’s loss of 56-28, the Pumas are fighting for redemption of their forgotten title of a good football team.

“Obviously we are hoping for a victory. Our offense is going to put up a lot of points, we know that going to happen and their offense is very explosive; they have playmakers but they also have a bunch of weaknesses. We have put in a lot of [plays] to exploit their weaknesses,” said Clayton Nocella, a middle linebacker who is also the leading player in tackles.

With both teams having similar stats this season protraining to their total yards per game, the key component for a win friday night will be the use of the Puma defense. While Basha’s Achilles’ heel seems to be their defense, which allowed a total of 393 points against compared to Perry’s 228 over the course of the season, the Pumas have shown their strength of theirs in previous games. If the Puma defense is able to hold the Bear’s offense, and we take advantage of their weak defense, friday might be a night of history making.

This so called underdog team has fought the odds and has now come prepared to dethrone the king of Val Vista. Try to hold onto your already falling crown Basha, because after this week’s game there might be a new king of those friday night lights.