The football team began last season in the exact same way as they are beginning this season: undefeated. Although the team has not yet played any of the larger and more difficult teams within the division, they are still starting off extremely strong; as they have the past few years. One goal still remains in every player’s and fan’s mind: a state title.

Senior defensive back Victor Nieto, said “the success we had last year has really boosted our confidence and we have been able to build off that success.”

The Pumas have been more self-assured in themselves, and their teammates, and it has been paying off.

Nieto also stated that “in football confidence is very big and it will carry you very far.” The team is going into the season with an abundance of confidence and hope that it will carry them very far.

Long-time offensive line coach Chance Clatterbuck stated that “nothing has really changed, they just have to work hard.” And that they are doing. The practices this season are more intense and longer in duration. They are lifting more, running more, and working harder all around. The first game that they lost last season, was to Chandler, and it appears that they will be the biggest challenge yet again this year.

Clatterbuck also commended his fellow coach, Preston Jones, saying “Coach Jones pushes them extremely hard and expects a lot out of them.” The Perry Football team is one of the hardest working teams on campus and always have been, but this year they are working harder than they ever have in order to achieve their goal.

Senior captain and defensive back, Zach Correa, said that the team “mentally knows that we can win a state championship.” They are also preparing physically as well, working harder and leaving it all on the field and knowing that they played their hardest.

Last year they went undefeated until the game against Chandler High School, and this year they plan to still be undefeated after the face off with Chandler.

Senior quarterback, Brock Purdy said, “we have been hitting the weight room a lot more and training a lot harder this year.” The Pumas are very dedicated to their sport and plan on making that known to the rest of the Perry community.

There is a lot of talent on the team, not to mention drive, and the team will stop at nothing to accomplish their goal.