Perry Panthers take their first win against ACE Gryphons

PERRY, Ga. — In the crisp air in the Panther Pit, the Perry Panthers (1-1-1) faced off against the Academy for Classical Education Gryphons (Overall 0-1) on Thursday’s 2-0 win.

As ACE’s first game of the season, no one expected how this match-off would end. The Panthers had an unfortunate start to their season with a loss to Peach County (3-0) and a tie with Tift County (1-1).

Yet, there was a shimmer of hope for the boys that night. Within minutes, the Panthers pushed the Gryphons up the field and cornered them against their goal.

From the midfield senior Marco Gomez made impressive shots, keeping ACE on their toes. The Panthers had scrappiness that kept them moving – if the ball went astray, Perry was right there to pick it off.

The Gryphons attempted to catch Perry off guard and tap the ball into their possession before being called offsides. Except the Panthers were too quick for them, taking risky passes to push the ball back to their side and sending it right through ACE’s defense.

The Gryphons came back with the same pressure and faced off one-to-one on a penalty kick against Perry’s goalie, Eli Flynn. ACE aimed for a high-middle shot, and everyone bet on this point, yet Flynn barely made it in time to swat the ball away from the goal.

Still nil-nil in the first half, each team made running starts, only to shoot right in the goalie’s gloves.

With twenty minutes left in the half, junior defender Harrington Arnette took possession of the ball. Racing it down half field, he sliced it between the Gryphons’ defense. ACE was left staring as it was sent straight for sophomore Nigier Spence.

Spence was wide open for a clean shot, and with a swift kick, it was in the back of ACE’s net. Both the goalie and defenders were left on the ground in defeat.

From an assist from #15 to a beautiful goal from #2- Perry gained the lead 1-0.

With four minutes left in the first half, ACE made a last-ditch attempt to tie up the score. It was sent straight into the Gryphon’s boots with a full-field punt.

With a fast-paced shot, only 18 yards away, it was aimed for the back of Perry’s net, but Flynn was faster and dove across the turf, saving Perry once more.

Everyone expected the first half to be over, but not Perry. Two minutes were left when the Panthers started passing between the Gryphons. Around their midfield, Perry made expert one-two, or triangle, passes to hand over to freshman Miles Jones to finish them off.

From 20 yards away, M. Jones sent it soaring above their heads and cutting it in the deep corner of ACE’s net. Their goalie reached desperately to save it but was only a few inches short of victory as Perry led 2-0.

Switching sides in the next half, Perry continued their quick passes around ACE but could never continue their scoring streak.

In a fast-paced attempt, sophomore Noah Jones made his way around ACE. Perry picked off a slow ball made by ACE, and N. Jones sprinted towards the finish line. He controlled it with a touch before slipping past their defense. Sending it for a low left corner, he shot straight but was stopped on a dive from ACE.

The Gryphons turned up the heat by firing fastballs to Perry’s net. Their goalie made continuous saves with miraculous dives and risky slide-tackles.

From a right corner kick, ACE was determined to fight back. Shooting the ball into the back corner, the Gryphons jumped and attacked with a header. But Perry slid in to catch the ball before ACE could sneak in a quick goal.

The Gryphons fell to the Panthers (2-0), but Perry earned their first win in the 2024 season. With quick and scrappy plays, Perry definitely deserved their win Thursday night.

UP NEXT

The Panthers will hit the pitch again on Thursday, Feb. 15 when they travel to Howard at 5:30 p.m.

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