Perry planning to parlay positive outlook into another playoff berth

By: Andrew John
Friday, August 23, 2024 | 6:01 AM

Last season, Perry Traditional Academy went through some growing pains. However, the Commodores look to have a more positive outlook with a team filled with more experience.

Perry (1-7, 1-3) will look to clinch a playoff spot for the third season in a row in the third season under coach Stephen Hale. The Commodores clinched a playoff spot after winning a coin flip when they finished in a three-way tie with Brashear and Allderdice.

The Commodores’ lone win came over Allderdice, 14-8. Perry almost won the following week but fell to Brashear in overtime.

Perry’s season came to an end when they lost to University Prep, 32-8, in semifinals of the City League playoffs.

This season, Perry will be led by junior quarterback Santonio Barnett, who steps in full-time after the graduation of Ahmad Arrington. Barnett saw some time last year when Arrington was out due to injury but returned to receiver when Arrington returned to the lineup.

“He has been with us since he was a freshman,” Hale said. “The game is starting to slow down for him. He’s still learning things about the position. It’s a growing process. It’s part of the job. I like to teach. I like to coach. All of our coaches are on the same wavelength. We’re learning from these kids, but they are learning so much from us.”

“He has assumed a leadership position. He leads by example. He isn’t a rah-rah guy at all. He has been at every workout. He puts his money where his mouth is.”

The Commodores return five starters on offense.

Hale looks forward to contributions from senior tight end/defensive end Nazjir Tunstalle and sophomore receiver/linebacker Deonte Herring.

“The guys that returned last year were thrown to the wolves,” Hale said. “We had underclassmen get valuable time. This year what’s standing out to me is seeing them realize the weight room is paying off.

“The summer conditioning is paying off and they are learning things that they might’ve not known before and their eyes light up like Christmas trees. They’ve learned stuff they didn’t know last year and they can’t wait to try it.”

Barnett loves how the team has come together and hopes it will translate on the field this season.

“The thing I’m most excited about is how together we are as a family,” he said. “We’re just like brothers out there on the field. I’m most excited to go out there with the people I love playing the game. If we have that same love, we are going to get as far as we want to get.”

The Commodores have nonconference games scheduled against Uniontown and Wheeling Central Catholic.

“We had some negativity going around. There was a lot of finger pointing,” Hale said. “That was my second full year. We are going to be more positive. We are going to have a more positive outlook on the things that we do. Not everything is going to be gloom and doom. These are kids and they are going to mess up. We just have to stay the course and continue to teach to make these kids well rounded in every aspect of life.

“Even though our numbers are small, it’s the right group of kids that have bought into the positivity. I think how we win and lose is going to be a whole lot different because I think we’re going to do it with a lot of dignity and respect.”

Perry had to cancel its Week Zero game against Avonworth because of injuries and limitations on available players. Hale said he expects to be able to have a healthy enough roster to play Aug. 30 at Uniontown.

Perry Traditional Academy

Coach: Stephen Hale

2023 record: 1-7, 1-3 in the City League

All-time record: 467-371-48

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.30 at Uniontown, 7

9.5 Allderdice*, 7

9.12 Westinghouse*, 7

9.20 University Prep*, 7

9.27 at Wheeling Central Catholic (WV), 7

10.4 at Brashear*, 7

10.10 at Carrick*, 6

* Conference game

FUN FACTS

• Perry was outscored by Westinghouse and University Prep, 122-6, during their regular season matchups.

• The Commodores lost to Wheeling Central Catholic, 20-18, on Sept. 1.

• Perry had a chance to finish the regular season with a win but lost, 26-16, to Carrick.

Tags: Perry