Snap out of it: Perry to find themselves against Hampton

Unusual. That pretty much sums up Perry’s 0-2 start to this 2020 season.

Perry only scored 10 points in each game and they plan to shake off whatever is holding them down this week against Hampton (1-1). Head Coach Kevin Smith said, “The best team didn’t win,” following their 14-10 loss to Harris County last week and it’d be surprising if the Perry Panthers don’t hit the field this game with fire in their eyes.

The Panthers got in their own way last week with 10 penalties for 162 yards just on offense, which is supposed to be their bread-and-butter. Led by senior quarterback, Lane Rucker, the Perry offense has the potential to be versatile, explosive and high scoring. Their problem early on has been completing drives with points. Whether it is turnovers or penalties, the Panthers have gotten in their own way early on this season.

Smith mentioned the first four games are like the preseason for the Panthers, but now with just two “preseason” games left, Perry must quickly find their footing offensively. Senior running back, Makeil Kendrick, provides consistency out of the backfield for Perry and finished with 115 yards rushing and a touchdown against Harris County. What’s been MIA is Perry’s passing game, which comes as a surprise. Rucker has returning receivers, Daequan Wright, who led the team in receiving last season and Curtis Head, who’s emerging as a big playmaker. But Perry’s passing offense has only mustered 274 passing yards for one touchdown this year.

The last time these two faced was in the first round of the playoffs last season, where the Panthers shutout Hampton 38-0. If the Panthers play how they should and find themselves offensively, history should repeat itself this year.

The defense has been the only highlight for the Panthers thus far. Safety, sophomore Camerin Marshall, is turning out to be a key contributor alongside upperclassmen Ja’maian Stokes, Jadorian Bass and Jordan Stubbs. Against Harris County, the Panthers proved to be able to defend tall receivers but they’ll have to focus on shutting down Hampton’s running game this week. Last season Hampton was a run-heavy offense and seem to have a little more of a pass game this season.

Hampton will still rely on the run game, so if Perry can contain it and force them to throw more than they want to, it should work in their favor. But even if the defense plays lights out, it won’t mean much if the offense doesn’t score. This game against Hampton is significant because Perry plays a tough Veterans team next week before they get into region play.

Perry plays Hampton on the road this Friday, Sep. 18 and the game kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

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