A pair of consecutive winless seasons and questions over low numbers throughout the football teams in the community have created serious challenges for the Perry varsity gridders.
New head coach Bryce Pierce is well aware of the difficulties, but is undaunted by the task at hand.
“Creating a successful program has to begin somewhere, and I believe this is the start of it at Perry,” he said. “Everyone knows it won’t be easy, and the kids do, too. But everyone believes it can be done and wants to be part of it.”
Pierce, a 2017 Luther College grad, was an assistant at Independence the past two seasons. The Mustangs were 15-4 in that stretch.
Perry was forced to play a senior-heavy roster last season and has, literally, almost no offensive statistics returning, as only 10 rushing yards and just four receiving yards are back.
The team was outscored 435-42, passed for just 534 yards and rushed for 394 more. The defense recovered 10 fumbles and made four interceptions. All those numbers should all improve, despite the team playing only seven regular season games this autumn.
Junior Emmanuel Soto is the leading returning tackler, having made 41 tackles last year. He also posted three stops for a loss and one sack, with senior Francisco Colin recording 13.5 denials, one for a loss and 1.5 sacks while also recovering a fumble.
Junior Jeremiah Creegen will step into the role of quarterback, with Abraham Ruiz and Jose Flores the current top choices at running back. Soto is likely to see time as a quasi-fullback/H-back, chiefly to lead block.
Pablo Calderon, Carlos Sandoval and others will figure into the mix on both the offensive and defensive lines, positions that Pierce say remain in flux. Miguel Sierra will be featured on the defensive front.
The receiver spots are also a hodgepodge of sorts, with Logan Haynes, Cayden Widen, Abner Rivera and Tanner Burgin among those mentioned for playing time.
Ruiz is, at the moment, the leading candidate to assume kicking and punting duties.
Haynes will play in the secondary on defense, with Creegen and Juan Hernandez the likely starters at cornerback.
Ruiz and Colin will be at linebacker, with the remaining spots at that position still open for competition.
All teams in Iowa will qualify for the postseason this year, with Class A-3A beginning their Round of 64 playoff Oct. 16. Teams will play two non-district contests to start their season.
Perry is in Class 3A District 2 for this season. Other teams include ADM, DC-G, Des Moines Hoover, Norwalk and Winterset. Despite being Raccoon River Conference foes, Perry and Winterset have not met in football since 2006.
Perry faces Greene County Friday in the 89th Cowbell Game before visiting Saydel Sept. 4. The road stretch reaches three consecutive games after trips to DC-G Sept. 11 and Norwalk Sept. 18.
The Bluejays host Winterset for Homecoming Sept. 25, with Des Moines Hoover to play at Dewey Field Oct. 2. The regular season ends with a road game at ADM Oct. 9.
