Perry takes his air raid offense to Union County

BLAIRSVILLE — For the first time in more than a decade, Union County will have a new head coach roaming the sidelines.

Michael Perry, who spent the last two seasons as East Hall’s leader, left for the small Blue Ridge Mountain town earlier this year.

Former coach Brian Allison headed south to start from scratch at Forsyth County’s newest school, East Forsyth, making way for the change.

Perry said there’s a multitude of things that drew him to Blairsville. 

“I knew C.T. Hussion [principal] from when he was a teacher and coach when I was a student at Gainesville High School,” Perry said. “So that was a draw and I just know what kind of leader he is, and I’ve never been able to have an intimate discussion with the superintendent before. It’s just a much smaller setting, so you kind of get to know everybody.”

It’s also the first time, as a head coach, Perry has taken the helm of the entire program, from rec ball to middle school, junior varsity and varsity. It’s also the first time he’s coached in a county with just one high school.

He said having control of everything football in Union County will help him build the program. 

“I get to have complete control of the entire program in Union County. So, our kids, from park and rec to high school are running some aspect of our offense with similar terminology, which will help when they get to us at the varsity level.”  

Anybody that has followed Perry, whether it was at Gainesville, Centenniel or East Hall, knows his offensive style – the air raid attack.

His tried-and-true air raid offense will be on full display at Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium this fall. And because Allison ran a similar offense, the returning players are somewhat familiar with Perry’s scheme.

“It’s a very smooth transition because they’ve been throwing the ball a long time with coach Allison,” Perry said. “So, it’s not a big transition for our players.”

That doesn’t mean; however, the process is going to be easy for a young team.

“We have light years to go,” Perry said. “We’re a long way off from being where we should be, but the kids are very receptive and are really smart. It’s going to take a lot of reps, but we’ll get there. The effort is great, though. We just got to get where we understand communication, being able to take that and then execute.”

Perry will lay a lot of the communication load on quarterback Logan Helcher, who returns for his senior season. Helcher completed more than 53 percent of his passes last season for 1,111 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed for 392 yards on 55 carries and five scores.

“Logan is a really good leader and has a nice skill set,” Perry said. “He also can do some things with his legs, which we’ll put to use.”

Helcher’s top target returns, senior Keyton Chitwood, who hauled in 352 yards. Carson Walker also is back. He tallied 146 yards last season. Gage Barnes will get some looks this season at the tight end spot. He’ll also run the ball as well. 

Perry identified the receiver position as being the biggest strength heading into the opener.

“Both of those guys have started and played in these games,” Perry said. “They are bigger, taller and physical players that are used to what it’s like on a Friday night.”

But the biggest question marks are on the lines of scrimmage. Right now, junior center Alex Godinez returns with the most experience. As for the others, it’s a work in progress. The same goes for the defensive line.

“Alex is a very smart player and has a big upside,” Perry said. “So, he’s going to be leading us in that aspect. He’s key in communication. But, overall, we are very young up front.”

The Panthers will be multiple on defense and have been working overtime this summer to shore up the defensive line.

“We are so young on the defensive line,” he said. “We have been working all summer to get the right guys in the right place.”

The good news for the defense is five starters return, all in the second and third levels. Perry expects linebackers Elijah Helton and Barnes to lead the pack as well as Walker and Eli Peugh in the secondary.

“Eli has been very, very impressive,” Perry said. “His dad was a football coach, so he’s very familiar with the aspect of football, has great football instinct and intelligence. We are expecting him to be a leader.”

The 2021 schedule adds Robbinsville, NC back to the schedule this season, but the Panthers will open with their southern Blue Ridge Mountain rivals, Fannin County, followed by a talented Commerce, Chestatee and Pickens. They’ll open Region 8-2A play at Riverside Military Academy.

“We’re playing Robbinsville, the state champ in their classification, no matter who’s coaching Commerce; they are going to be good every year and we’re starting off with the rivalry with Fannin,” Perry said. “So, we’ve got some tough opponents to get us ready for region.

“But, obviously, in our region, Rabun County is the cream of the crop, Elbert has great athletes, and Banks County and Riverside are going to be up this year. Right, now, though, we’ve got to worry about ourselves.”