We tell you everything you need to know about the 2023 Perry football team, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Panthers this season.
2022 Stats
- Overall Record: 10-2
- Points Scored: 462
- Points Allowed: 125
Key Losses
Coach Kevin Smith’s Panthers will lose some really good talent to graduation as they head into the 2023 season. One of the biggest losses will be starting QB Armar Gordon, who had played for the past three seasons, but really took over the Perry offense these last two seasons. He leaves with 5,386 career passing yards and 61 passing TDs. Gordon was an extremely accurate passer – he posted a 65% completion percentage. He will continue his career at the University of Tennessee-Martin.
Others not returning are RB Demetrius Carter, who rushed for 1,507 yards in his Perry career, and two-way standout Tre Wright, who had 43 tackles from his safety position, while pulling down 6 TDs and 437 receiving yards on offense. Wright is headed to Memphis to play college football.
Free safety Caleb Wilson and his 126 career tackles will be missed as he takes off to the Air Force Academy Falcons, while his defensive backfield mate Cam Marshall heads off to Georgia State after a three-year career as a Panthers SS with 231 tackles.
Who’s Back
Returning in 2023 is a group of seniors who not only bring back their talent, but loads of valuable experience, too. Leading the offensive returnees are seniors Dakarai Anderson and Donovan Funsch. Anderson will be back to man his WR position as he looks to add to his career total of 2,143 receiving yards and 21 TDs. Funsch returns to his TE spot, where he is receiving attention from college recruiters, including The Citadel.
Junior Kory Pettigrew is a junior WR who posted modest numbers last year with 18 catches, but recruiters can spot his talent, including Georgia Southern, which has already offered the 6-foot, 2-inch wideout. Smith said other key players who will help the team this year are senior offensive guard Quesntin Askins and senior LB Jerrell Pinckney, who had 97 tackles and 2 sacks last season. He will be joined along the defensive line by DE Cashious Williams.
What to Expect
The loss of Armar Gordon would have been a big hit to the Perry team if not for Colter Ginn transferring in from Peach County. The senior three-star recruit was the region 2-3A Offensive Player of the Year last year, and he’ll keep the Perry offense rolling in 2023.
Smith said he likes what he has seen of his team this offseason, but he knows there are a few holes to fill with losses to graduation.
“We know we have a tough task in front of us replacing a few key spots on defense,” the Perry head coach told ITG Next. “But we had a great spring and it has carried over through the summer. This group has shown a lot of grit this summer, which any head coach likes to see.”
The Perry football program has enjoyed a complete turnaround under Smith, and you get the feeling he’ll have this team ready to compete at a high level again in 2023.
Prediction
10-3 overall.
Game to Watch
Watch out for the August 25 season opener with Houston County, an immediate test right out of the gate for both teams.
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