Perry’s Kimari Glenn runs against a pair of Hardin Northern defenders during a game last season. The speedy Glenn is back as a wingback for the Commodores, who will switch to a double-wing pistol formation on offense.
Richard Parrish | The Lima News
PERRY TOWNSHIP — Perry coach Seth Evans grinned a bit as he described the Commodore’s offense this year.
“It’s still spread-ish,” the fourth-year head coach said.
The Commodores will be running a double-wing pistol formation, which lines the wide receivers up just behind and outside the tight ends. The quarterback will stay lined up back away from the center, with a running back still in the backfield. It’s reminiscent of a wishbone or Wing-T offense, except from the shotgun formation.
“It looks really like a little flex bone,” Evans said. “You know, we have a ton of speed. Kimari Glenn just came off a fantastic track season where he went to state in all four of his events, so we have speed there at wing. Boss Horrison is playing the other wing. There’s a lot of speed there, and Boss is one of the most patient runners that I’ve ever coached. It looks like he’s slowing down, and then he’s just waiting for his blocks to set up.”
Isaiah McFadden remains the primary running back for the Commodores, who improved from 1-9 in 2022 to 3-7 last year. Hunter Scott is back at quarterback for Perry, which has 18 returning letterwinners and 15 seniors on this year’s squad, including Glenn, Horrison, McFadden and Scott.
They’re working out the kinks but like what they’re seeing, Evans said.
“It’s more timing with your motions, and then into your traps, your fakes and your play-actions,” Evans said. “That’s really the hardest part, getting the timing of the offense just right.”
It opens up the possibilities, as any of those players could be running the ball. They’ve been unselfish, Evans said.
“I don’t think they care, honestly, who gets the ball,” Evans said. “I think they are selfless. I they they just would rather win, even if it means they don’t get the ball. They’d rather win than carry the ball.”
The Commodores won’t abandon their passing game, one of their distinguishing characteristics in recent years. They’ll still aim to evenly split their running and passing plays, although Evans admitted it could skew 60% run, 40% pass.
While diversity is still a goal on offense, the primary focus on defense remains stopping the run. Most of the teams in the Northwest Central Conference prefer to grind it out. Perry will counter with a 5-3 defensive scheme.
Wyatt Taviano, a sophomore, has stepped into the shoes of several quality linebackers Perry’s had in recent years.
“He’s a little bit more of a traditional linebacker, as far as he can read a guard, and he’s very smart defensively,” Evans said. He can make some plays.”
He’s joined in the linebacking corps by Diego Williams, an outside linebacker who “just clicks.”
“He’s really kind of come on strong and can read a defense now,” Evans said.
There’s also experience up front, with Noah Cox back for his fourth year as a starter, this time at nose guard. He’s part of a strong defensive line that includes fellow seniors Caiden Mort and Connor Reed.
The Commodores have reasons to be excited about the year. They’re better conditioning than in recent years, and they’re well-disciplined, Evans said. The large group of 15 seniors has spent its entire high school time with Evans and knows what the coach expects.
“Those guys were freshmen at the time I started as head coach, so I’ll always count these guys as my guys now,” Evans said. “They’ve really been the backbone and the cornerstone of what we’re trying to change here. It hadn’t been easy for them. They had to buy into what I was saying, but they did it this year.”
It’s been evident in the offseason commitment. The Champions Club, which rewards commitment to working out in the weight room in the offseason, saw its membership grow from two last year to eight this year. While there aren’t a lot of vocal leaders on the team, there are plenty of upperclassmen who lead by example.
“We’re building a program here, and these seniors were a huge part of helping build that up,” Evans said.
They know they could be part of something bigger.
“I was always taught there’s a difference between a team and a program,” Evans said. “You know, anybody can have a team. Any team can show up and play on any given night. But in a program, you don’t have to ask kids to come out and play. It’s expected. You don’t have to ask kids to come into the weight room in the offseason. It’s expected. … Those are the things that are just known, and we’re getting there. This senior class has really kind of helped push that.”
TEAM PROFILE
Coach: Seth Evans (fourth season, 11-29)
Division: VI
Last year’s record: 3-7
Tickets: Available at the venue
Returning 2023 varsity letter winners: Brodin Eickholt (Jr., WR/LB), Connor Patrick (Sr.), Hunter Scott (Sr., QB), Eric Williams (Soph.), Boss Horrison (Sr., WB/DB), Preston Evans (Sr.), Wyatt Taviano (Soph., LB), Isiah McFadden (Sr., WR/LB), Kimari Glenn (Sr., WB/DB), Conner Lynch (Sr., K), Tese Watkins (Sr.), Noah Cox (Sr.), Diego Williams (Sr., OL/LB), Connor Reed (Sr., OL/DL), Gage Morlock (Sr.), Aiden Hale (Sr.), Jacob Magness (Sr.), Caiden Mort (Sr.)
Top newcomers: Colten Scott (Fr., WR), J’Quann Glenn (Soph.), Jaiden Luster (Fr.), Bentley Gibson (Fr.)
2024 schedule
(Kickoffs scheduled for 7 p.m.; subject to change)
8/23 — Dixie
8/30 — at Ridgemont
9/6 — North Central
9/13 — at Upper Scioto Valley
9/20 — at Hardin Northern
9/27 — North Baltimore
10/4 — at Cory-Rawson
10/11 — Waynesfield-Goshen
10/18 — Elgin
10/25 — at Ridgedale
Reach David Trinko at 567-242-0467 or on Twitter @Lima_Trinko.
