The Perry Panthers football team will be looking to win their fourth consecutive region title and look to get over the hump by advancing past the Elite Eight and potentially vie for a state title. The Panthers made it to the Elite Eight in 2020 and 2021 where they lost to eventual AAAA champ Marist 36-7 in 2020 and lost to Cedartown 39-25 in 2021… both at home.
Last season the Maroon and Gold got stunned in the Sweet Sixteen at home by Wayne Co; losing 14-7 and ending what had been an amazing season for Perry up to that point. Head coach Kevin Smith; who is entering his seventh season as the Panthers’ head coach; has created a strong football program during his tenure at Perry and is looking to guide his team to the next level in 2023 behind the coffee bean mentality which has been the foundation of success for the Maroon and Gold.
The Panthers’ biggest match-up of 2023 will be their season opening home game against county rival HoCo on August 25th which will likely be a packed house at Herb St. John Stadium. Other big matchups include Peach Co and Jones Co. Perry’s region games look to be heavily titled in their favor once again as Baldwin, Howard, Spalding, Griffin, Westside, and West Laurens all lost to Perry by over 30 pts last season.
The Panthers’ region opponents look to be improved in 2023 but for the time being; the Maroon and Gold will likely be a considerable favorite to win the region but only time will tell if Perry will be in a complete game battle in region play or not in 2023. The Maroon and Gold will have a BYE Week 1.
