Coach: TRAVIS COLE

4-6

OFFENSE

Experience, leadership and the will to win are key ingredients for the Maroons in 2023 as a total of eight starters return to the offensive unit including the healthy return of two key performers. Quarterback Jaxson Cunningham (5-10, 175, Jr.) who passed for almost 500 yards including six touchdowns before being sidelined during his second start of the year will reunite with running back Andrew Kakuk (5-10, 170, So.) who totaled 659 yards rushing and six touchdowns to showcase the Maroons spread attack that will also get a boost from the return of Treg Bowman (6-0, 190, Sr.) a four-year starter to the fullback position after he missed three games due to injury in 2022. Tall and rangy wide receiver Whelan Carson (6-5, 185, Jr.) who grabbed 28 receptions and three touchdowns provides an easy to find receiver for Cunningham along with tight end and Jackson Stoops (6-4, 190, Jr.), who maintains a 4.0 grade point as a member of the academic bowl team. Chris Ryan (5-10, 220, Sr.) and Cash Waren (5-10, 215, Jr.) will be key performers at the point of attack to allow Perry the opportunity to maintain balance between the run and pass.

DEFENSE

The mindset of Perry athletes has always been of an aggressive and confident performer and with the experience of eight starters returning, the defensive success is readily available.  Carson is hard to contain at inside linebacker where he totaled 111 tackles including 30 stops for minus yards and 3.5 sacks and will reunite with Bowman who made 11 tackles for loss among his 60 stops and missed four games due to injury to solidify the middle of the Perry 3-4 alignment while Sutton Bonham (5-10, 175, Jr.) who charted five sacks amidst his 54 tackles and Jackson Stoops, who made 8.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage will crash off the edge at outside linebacker.  Kukuk who totaled three interceptions will captain the secondary unit at strong safety with help from Tajon Williams at cornerback while Waren returns to the nose guard position after making nine tackles for minus yardage last year.

SCHEDULE

8-25 – vs. Mannford

9-1 – at Luther

9-8 – vs. Tonkawa

9-22 – at Blackwell

9-29 – vs. Hennessey

10-6 – at Millwood

10-12 – at OCS

10-20 – vs. Newkirk

10-27 – vs. Chisholm

11-3 – at Alva