I’m Impressed with the Perry Panther crowd

The Perry Panthers haven’t won a home game in almost three calendar years and haven’t won a season opener at Herb St. John Stadium in almost seven years. So what do the fans do when the buzzer sounds, the game is done and their team is finally on the winning side? Well, rush the field and jump up and down with the equally enthusiastic Panther players, of course.

On Friday night the students that packed the stands at the Panthers’ game against the Rutland High School Hurricanes displayed the level of energy and enthusiasm necessary to take this team to the next level. From sounding off horns to shouting out encouragement for individual players, the Perry student section, on that night, was as boisterous as the popular HoCo LoCos student section, if not more so. The players rub, pat, hug and fist bump the panther statue on their way into the stadium and on this night, with a capacity crowd filling the home side of the stands, it felt different. This was my second time in Herb St. John Stadium for a game, the first being for the Panthers’ only scrimmage of the season against Houston County earlier this month. [Editor’s Note: I had been in the stadium a number of times on advertising photo shoots for the paper. Maybe you’ve seen me in one.] This game was different, the crowd, the student body, the boosters selling Panther t-shirts and everyone wearing Perry colors were all one. They were all in. “I could feel the school spirit and community support and it felt great,” says Perry High School Principal Wesley D. Martin, who spent the entire game walking the sidelines cheering the Panthers and engaging with players, fans, students and the like. “This was a big win for our Panthers.”

Despite only winning two games last season, the Panthers are supported by people that dedicate parts of their lives to the school and to the Panther football program. People like Scott and Allison Tarrer who give back by volunteering before and after games and the nice man I met in the band parking lot, who’s name I can’t remember but his enthusiasm I won’t ever forget. Our half-hour conversation was like sitting down with a Perry football encyclopedia. Or Perry Police Department Captain James Buck, who I was introduced to before kickoff and came across as a great representation of local law enforcement. From the national anthem and raising of the flag, to the presentation of the colors by the PHS Air Force JROTC, to the team running out onto the field through an inflated Panthers football helmet, everything spoke of a community that supports and embraces their school and their football team. The 35-14 victory was just icing on the cake. “Our parents and community came and displayed their support and cheered our Panthers into victory.”

The 2016 Perry Panther football season could not have started any better and regardless how next Friday’s game at Herb St. John against Peach County ends, the people of Perry have spoken and they will support their Panthers loudly and proudly. “I’m very excited for these young men and for our school,” says Martin. I second that and add that I’m also excited for myself because I get to spend Friday nights like that one all season long. Panther pride was on full display, here’s to hoping it stays that way all season long.

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