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Yappi.com writer PERRY TWP.—Friday night, Perry head coach John “Spider” Miller was praising his team well into the night after their nail-biting 31-24 triumph over Hilliard Darby in front of a solid crowd at Perry Stadium in what marked a successful celebration of 50 years of Perry football. This week, it was back to business for the Panthers as they look to christen their 2006 Federal League opener with a win over the visiting Lake Blue Streaks Friday night at Perry Stadium. The Blue Streaks are coming off a devastating 24-20 loss to state-power and defending Federal League boss Canton McKinley, which the Bulldogs snatched away a Lake win in the final 20 seconds. Miller is aware of the urgency that the Blue Streaks under longtime veteran head coach Jeff Durbin will bring Friday night and has no intention of overlooking them. “They are a fundamentally sound team. They are technically sound on both sides of the ball and they hit,” Miller said via phone from his office. “They are going to come out with fire in their eyes and we have to match their intensity. (Head Coach) Jeff Durbin does a great job with that team and his record speaks for itself.” What has impressed Miller is the way his team has taken a working approach to being successful on the field. Leadership, class, and character are the tenets of a Miller-coached team and no one has those tenets better than that of his Perry Panthers. And the way his players exemplify that brings a smile to his face. “Our players lead by example in and out of school. We talk to players about life situations. We expect them to be a leader and not a follower,” Miller said. “That contributes not just on the football field but in life as well.” For the first three weeks, the Panthers are averaging close to 20 points a game in their three wins while allowing 11.3 on the defensive end of the ball. But at the same time, the Panthers ability to sustain long drives and pull out games in the fourth quarter has truly been a testament to the Panthers leadership that Miller takes pride in. Whether it is Marc Fry’s 40-yard touchdown run against Wooster, Eric Magnacca’s 50-yard touchdown run against Central Catholic, or the defense making a stand against Hilliard Darby, there is a bond within the Panther organization that has them sitting at 3-0 right now going into their Federal League opener. “Our kids play well and they have a passion for the game and they do a darn good job of getting after it,” Miller said. Friday night is back to business against the Blue Streaks. |
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