Scott Sandulli is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism Student assigned to cover Perry for AZPreps365.com

After a disheartening loss to No. 4 ranked Hamilton, the Perry Pumas (4-2) road to the 6A conference playoffs does not get any easier as they host sixth-ranked Casteel on Friday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m.

Perhaps there was no better time for a bye last week for the Pumas, having just been taken down by a perennial Open Division championship contender, and now with a week of rest before a meeting with another potential Open team and 6A Premier region opponent.

After Casteel's second-round exit in the 2021 playoffs, the Colts (5-1) have come out of the gates fast with senior QB Landon Jury lighting it up on offense. With a touchdown to interception ratio of 18:3 and an efficient 69% completion rate, Jury’s efforts have been key to the team’s success. 

However, head coach Joe Ortiz however, is not fazed by Jury's offensive potency.

“We’ll do a good job containing him and making sure gets multiple different looks so he’s not set on just one defense,” Ortiz said. “It helps having one of the best defensive ends in the state in Aiden Herring as well.”

Herring has been a wrecking ball as the anchor of Perry'sdefense. The senior DE has recorded its team high eight sacks this season, tied for the highest in 6A. Herring will need to continue his pass rushing prowess against the Colts if Perry is going to pressure Jury and make their offense uncomfortable.

Jury is not the only weapon on an offense averaging 35 points per game. Junior wideout and two-way threat Jeremiah Newcombe has been electric posting nearly 48 receiving yards per game and scored four touchdowns. His raw ability as both a receiver and cornerback already has him garnering Power 5-level interest as one of the top class of 2024 recruits.

Newcombe is one of the focal poinis in a defense allowed more than 28 points in a game this season. Casteel plays a hard-nosed, rough style of football that led the to a five-game winning streak to open the season.

Following a loss to powerhouse Chandler on Oct. 8, the Colts will be hungrier to get back in the win column.

Beating Casteel would do wonders for Perry’s 6A playoff hopes. 

“It’s big for us," Ortiz said. "If we can win this game, it’s gonna bump us up. A win (on Friday) will improve our seeding for sure. We just gotta make sure we take advantage of that.”