Logan Camden is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Perry High School for AZPreps365.com

The Perry Pumas make their 2020 football season debut on October 2 against the visiting Queen Creek Bulldogs in what will be a showdown of decision making, play calling and preparation.

The Pumas were the 17th-ranked team in Arizona and had a 7-5 overall record last season under coach Preston Jones. The Pumas finished fourth in the 6A Premier section with a 2-2 record in conference play.

The Bulldogs were ranked third in the state and went 9-4 last season under the tutelage of returning coach Joe Germaine. The Bulldogs earned the No. 4 seed in the conference 6A playoffs and defeated Boulder Creek and Highland High before falling to Red Mountain in the semifinals.

Both teams have a history of title contention. Germaine led the Bulldogs to an undefeated season in 2012 and the team’s first state title, while Jones helped Perry finish as runners-up in the 6A title game in 2017 and 2018 behind the production of current college starters and sibling quarterbacks Brock and Chubba Purdy.

Talks of championship trophies and banners have largely been swept aside for this season, as the COVID-19 pandemic has left a level of uncertainty for the Perry program and teams in the district.

“We didn’t know if we would even play,” said Pumas assistant coach Carl Curtis.

COVID-19 protocols have changed how teams like Perry have practiced, as drills and inner-squad scrimmages have switched to individual drills and workouts because of the district rules requiring social distancing and masks at all times.

Queen Creek has largely been unaffected by COVID-19 as their district did not enforce as many protocols and have been practicing with full contact and full team drills.

“They’re a tough nosed team,” Curtis said. “They’re one of those country mountain teams with tough kids, great size and great coaching.”

Queen Creek returns 22 total players from last season’s playoff squad, and the majority of its starting offense and secondary.

Perry returns only 11 starters from last season, but 28 total players from the 2019 varsity squad.

Perry’s seven wins came behind the strength of their senior quarterback Chubba Purdy who had more than 4,000 total yards and 52 touchdowns. Returning senior quarterback Dane White gets the starting nod in place of Purdy.

“He’s a good athlete, a great leader and a great guy to have under center,” Curtis said.

White appeared in every game last season and completed 8 of 11 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. White also played wide receiver in a game against Desert Vista last season and caught two passes for 15 yards.

One of the key matchups to watch in the season opener will be Perry’s second leading receiver from last season, senior wideout Cade Berger, matched up against the returning veteran secondary of Queen Creek.

Berger had four 100-yard games last season and racked up 909 total yards with eight touchdowns on the year.

Queen Creek’s secondary returns safeties Hunter Barth and Krew Jackson as well as cornerback Cavan Brady Riggs, who all contributed to Queen Creek’s 18 total interceptions.

The running back duties for Perry will be handled by seniors Jonathan Day and Nathaniel Miles, who last season had some solid games against Mountain View and Red Mountain.

Day ran for 78 yards and two touchdowns against Mountain View, while Miles rushed for 80 yards in the 68-67 Week 3 shootout against Red Mountain last season.

Day and Miles will have returning senior center Trevor Swann and senior tackle Andrew Mason up front opening holes for them. Mason started in every game for Perry and was a 2nd team all-premier selection last season.

Queen Creek’s dominant rushing attack returns quarterback Trey Reynolds, who had eight rushing touchdowns last season, but the team lost the two leading rushers from last season’s title contenders.

Senior running back Casey Shull and junior running back Payton Barlow look to have more touches this season for the Bulldogs and build on their over 9 yards per carry average from last season.

To stop the Bulldog’s rushing attack, the Pumas will depend on returning junior and 2019 first team all-premier selection Steven Kennedy, who had 36 tackles, four sacks and nine quarterback hurries last season.

Another standout on the defensive side is junior linebacker Sy Hatch, who will have an expanded role in the Pumas' young defense. Sy’s brother Case earned a scholarship at Arizona State after walking on during the 2019 season.

Perry’s home games will be at 25% capacity moving forward due to the district ruling on COVID-19 restrictions.

Perry and Queen Creek have not gone head to head since 2012, when visiting Queen Creek came out on top, 41-21.