Pumas poised for title game since day one
Championship was goal since summer practices
The Puma sideline celebrates after Perry’s 56-31 semifinal win over No. 1 Mountain Pointe.
Since the first practice of the 2017 season the football team has been working non-stop towards the same objective: the state finals.
The Pumas (12-1, 3-1 Premier Region) has never made it farther than they have this year and they could not have a better mindset. Every team begins the year thinking they could be champions, but this team believed it from the onset.
“As long as we believe and trust in ourselves and play to our full potential, we can win,” junior running back Jalen Young said.
He noted he has felt this way since his freshman year, “you know how we write stuff to our future self, I said we were going to state my junior year.” He knew what he wanted and he fought for it.
As free safety Travis Calloway stated, Perry is optimistic and excited about “the biggest game of our high school career.” Calloway also talked about how having a “get it done attitude,” is the attitude him and his fellow teammates have held all throughout the season and how it has helped them achieve their shared goal.
The players and staff have worked so hard this season and they have earned their spot in the playoffs.
Quarterback Brock Purdy shared that the team is “on the same page and are so excited to play the team that is better than all teams.” All the work and dedication they have put into their dreams is finally a reality and they are not stopping now.
Junior receiver Colby Dickie explained how Perry “proved we are a contender” and also how he knows, “It is very possible for us to win state if we stay focused and play hard.”
The players and coaching staff are now preparing to face off against Chandler in the state championship which takes place Saturday, Dec. 2 at U of A.
India Buckner is a junior and is a first year student in newspaper. She covers girls volleyball, teacher features, and is a double truck contributor. In...
Justin Hosten • Nov 28, 2017 at 5:08 AM
The game is on Saturday, December 2nd at Arizona Stadium.
adviser • Nov 29, 2017 at 9:40 AM
You’re right! Thank you!
"The oldest Puma" • Nov 27, 2017 at 3:37 PM
Greetings from the Northwest,
Cold & wet up here, wish I was back in the AZ.
Congratulations on acheiving your season long goal. Now go and get that last remaining win and shock all the naysayers.
Keys to victory:
Keep the defense off the field as much as possible. Emphasize the run with Fultz, Roberts & Young off tackle, need to run away from Menola, too much of a disruptor. Short passing when first down needed.
Do not over pursue Drake Anderson as he is good at cuts back against the grain every time a defender gets close. Do not let Jacob Conover run out of the pocket, this one worries me especially on 3rd and yardage. Brooks will probably be contained.
Puma defense coming on at the right time….shutdown Jordan and Bragg the last two games. I see Puma secondary shutting down the Chandler long passing game but the mid to short game a concern.
I see this one being won and lost in the trenches. Important to keep the defense rested.
Puma’s will have to play to perfection, no penalties and no missed assignments.
Good luck to you all, I’ll be watching the live stream.
Thanks for chatting,
“The oldest Puma”