<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3J0qB8_0vjFYAQa00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3J0qB8_0vjFYAQa00" width="1280" height="853" ><figcaption>Cullen McDaniel (16) tries to escape an East Coweta defender. (Michael Hardison Jr/HHJ)</figcaption></figure><p>It’s officially the halfway point of the regular season with five games played, and now Perry will enter their first region contest on Friday against New Hampstead.</p><p>The Phoenix are a high-flying passing offense and could prove to be one of the Panthers’ toughest tests to date.</p><p>Here are three things to watch:</p><h2>1. The quarterback</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1T0CX3_0vjFYAQa00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1T0CX3_0vjFYAQa00" width="1280" height="827" ><figcaption>Dalis Scott (35) battles with an East Coweta lineman. (Michael Hardison Jr/HHJ)</figcaption></figure><p>One of the players that makes New Hampstead’s offense so lethal is senior quarterback Rashawn Truell.</p><p>Truell has offers from Bucknell and Arkansas State for his quick “gunslinger” release and velocity on his passes.</p><p>Through four games (he didn’t play against Pierce County) he’s 66-of-116 (57%) for 11 touchdowns and two interceptions, while also contributing 71 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.</p><p>Truell is very aware of pressure in the pocket, but hardly ever takes his eyes away from his receivers downfield. He’s constantly scanning for where to go with the ball as he evades pressure, and is able to make accurate throws on the run in a collapsing pocket or rolling out.</p><p>“We got to get a little pressure on him and we got to keep him hemmed up in the pocket,” Perry football coach Kevin Smith said. “He’s a very good quarterback, he’s a college football quarterback and he’s gonna present some challenges. They got some good receivers. Our strong point I think is up front on defense. I think our guys do a pretty good job of rushing the passer and hopefully we can keep him off balance that way.”</p><h2>2. The Phoenix haven’t done so well against the run</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3fDsMF_0vjFYAQa00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3fDsMF_0vjFYAQa00" width="2048" height="1365" ><figcaption>Decorrion Daniels (9). (Clay Brown/HHJ)</figcaption></figure><p>Defense is not one of New Hampstead’s strengths. They’re allowing 41.8 points per game so far this season and all of their losses are by three scores or more, including allowing 47 and 48 points to Richmond Hill and Pierce County respectively.</p><p>They’ve also done very poorly against the run, especially against Richmond Hill.</p><p>The Wildcats only threw five pass attempts for 25 yards, the rest of their offense came on the ground. The Phoenix allowed 376 yards and six touchdowns from the Richmond Hill rushing attack.</p><p>The Wildcats’ Joshua Ulrich-Troupe found a lot of success under the wildcat formation; He carried the ball 28 times for 258 yards and four touchdowns in Week 4.</p><p>With the Panthers’ strength being the run, that’s something they can take advantage of.</p><p>“That is one of their weaker points, they have given up a lot of points,” Smith said of the New Hampstead defense. “I think this will be a good tune up for us bring to reestablish the run game. I don’t think they’re as good in the box as East Coweta that we just played. So hopefully we’re going to learn from that game and be able to incorporate it this week and get it fixed.”</p><h2>3. Looking in the mirror</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2NcNeL_0vjFYAQa00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2NcNeL_0vjFYAQa00" width="1280" height="939" ><figcaption>Ahmad Gordon (1) tries to escape star linebacker Lucas Naquin (12) in the backfield. (Michael Hardison Jr/HHJ)</figcaption></figure><p>Perry’s 31-15 upset loss against East Coweta is a real “look at yourself in the mirror,” moment, and those are best to have when the results don’t have region implications.</p><p>The Indians’ defense was as advertised, especially linebacker Lucas Naquin, who flew around wreaking havoc all night.</p><p>Similar to when the Panthers were held to negative rushing yards against Houston County, Smith will look to reestablish the run against New Hampstead.</p><p>“We definitely gotta establish the run game. Some it was missed assignments [against East Coweta],” Smith said. “We just gotta get better at developing the run. That’s on me, and we’re gonna go back to the drawing board this week. We’re gonna get better. We’re gonna try to figure it out.”</p><p>“But I have all confidence that our offensive coaches and our players are gonna be up to the challenge.”</p><h2>Noteworthy</h2><p>Star quarterback Rashawn Truell did not play in New Hampstead’s Week 5 loss to Pierce County, and because they had a bye week in Week 6, it’s unclear whether he will play or not against Perry.</p><p>Kickoff is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Panther Pit.</p></div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Perry football starts region play at home against New Hampstead

It’s officially the halfway point of the regular season with five games played, and now Perry will enter their first region contest on Friday against New Hampstead. The Phoenix are a high-flying passing offense and could prove to be one of the Panthers’ toughest tests to date. Here...

Perry football starts region play at home against New Hampstead

Comments / 0