Perry faces rejuvenated, undefeated Veterans Warhawks

This Friday, the Perry Panthers (0-2) return after suspending all football activities on Sept. 16 due to COVID-19. The team began reacclimating on Sept.26 and are preparing for a fresh Veterans (3-0) team who had a bye last week because of Perry’s suspension.

Veterans got the gift of a bye week after dominating Jones County, 30-6. The win over Jones was evidence of an all-around team coming into their own over time. The Veterans Warhawks outperformed themselves week after week in their first three games, and right now is just the beginning from where they want to be. The team carries a chip on their shoulder, and it’s fueled them, even before the first game, Veterans was preparing to wake up whoever was sleeping on them as a contender for state.

Heading into the Jones County game, Veterans was picked to lose by every Georgia high school football poll, and they showed exactly why not to count them out. Now Perry is next on Warhawks’ wake up tour, and this won’t be an easy one for Perry, who was struggling before halting their season. The Panthers only managed to hit 10 points in both games this season. They tried to find themselves offensively, but inconsistencies, penalties and turnovers hindered them. Now they face Veterans’ defense who has only allowed just two scores that have amounted to 13 points through this season.

The resume to the season seems more like a restart for the Panthers, and what could still be an explosive offense faces a team that could detriment their confidence even more. Veterans has outscored opponents 82-13 and there hasn’t been a sign of a single chink in their armor. Offensively, they execute a perfectly balanced attack with the senior duo of quarterback, Blake Ethridge, and tailback, Lebron Fields. Fields has broken the 100-yard rushing mark every game and is averaging 114 yards per game while Ethridge averages 212 yards passing with a .635% completion percentage. Fields certainly helps open the passing game but having senior receivers, Justin McCarty and Nate Boehm, gives Ethridge reliable targets to find too.

It won’t be easy for the Panther defense, and it won’t be any easier for the offense. Veterans is just as established on defense as they are on offense with seniors leading the charge. The secondary has been the pulse of the heartbeat of the unit, and they’re licking their chops to get after an offense like Perry’s. Though Perry struggled early on and was trying to establish the run game, they still have the weapons to air it out. Receivers, Curtis Head and Daequan Wright, are two dynamic targets that Veterans’ defensive backs look forward to guarding. Senior safety, Daniel Ekwese, and senior cornerback, Kamron Smith, lead the Warhawks’ secondary and the entire squad in general. Veterans Head Coach, Milan Turner, has always praised the leadership of his seniors, particularly Ekwese, Smith and his brother, Kedrek Smith, who can play defensive back, quarterback and receiver.

Perry will look to fine tune their game against Veterans in preparation for their region game next week and playing a competitive opponent like Veterans could help them snap back quickly. The Panthers shouldn’t be counted out though. Running back, Makeil Kendrick, brings a consistency that the offense misses, and his production will be something to build from. If Perry can also keep the penalties down, their offense could finally string some scoring drives together and regain confidence.

The game is at Freedom Field on Friday, Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m.

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