Battle of Unbeatens, Perry v Highland

By Nicholas Welter

The 2017 season has started off well for the Perry High School football program. The Pumas are undefeated at 5-0 so far, outscoring their opponents 298 to 110.

Head Coach Preston Jones credits this season’s early success to his highly talented returning players.

“We are blessed to have so many weapons on offense and defense,” said Jones. “It’s not just one individual. it’s everybody”.

Another reason for the early success, according to Jones is the maturity and discipline of his football team.

“They are not allowing themselves to get sidetracked and lose focus of a common goal,” Jones said to Sports360AZ.com. The common goal, Jones said, is to keep playing quality football and take things one week at a time.

This philosophy has seemed to work so far this season for the Pumas, whom this week, have a home game against another team who is also 5-0, in Highland High School.

Perry and Highland are familiar opponents, having played each other every year since 2013.

Jones said that his team can learn a lot from last year’s matchup with Highland, a game they won 59-49.

“Highland always, always comes ready to play; they don’t ever quit or stop,” said Jones. “Last year I believe at one point we were winning 35-7 and they came back and it ended up being a shootout.”

Jones mentioned that his team will need to keep their composure and expect a good football game. Perry has had little trouble getting their offensive going this year, which is something Jones said his team can’t expect this week.

“Offensively we need to be patient,” Jones said. “Highland has got a good defense and we know they are going to stop us at times.”

Jones’ final key for success on Friday night is the PHS defense playing like they did last week against Corona del Sol.

“It’ll be a fight to the end, we know that for sure, those kids will come ready to play,” Jones said.

Perhaps another shootout in Gilbert is brewing.