The Perry Panthers are poised to kick off the 2026 football season with a mix of seasoned veterans and fresh faces, hoping to translate early momentum into a winning campaign.
A revamped roster
Head coach Spencer Leno enters his second year after a 5‑5 record in 2025, bringing a steady hand to a program that has hovered around .500 in recent seasons.
Senior two‑way standout Jonathan Lemon returns after posting 742 rushing yards and eight touchdowns last year while also snagging four interceptions on defense.
Cameron Treharn, who took over as starting quarterback in his freshman season, completed 59.1% of his passes for 1,211 yards, four touchdowns and seven interceptions, establishing himself as the offense’s new catalyst.
The team brings back 18 lettermen, including key contributors Antonio Salazar, Dominick Walker and Mason Heil, who will anchor both sides of the ball.
Seth Green, previously a tight end, will shift to offensive line after handling punting duties a year ago, while Everett Daugherty is expected to assume a larger role at receiver following the departure of Nasir Foster and Jayden Wilson.
Perry opens the season on August 21 against Central Catholic, marking the first Friday night game for the Panthers in several years and setting the tone for a schedule that includes a mix of league and non‑league matchups.
The Panthers have posted .500 records in each of the last two seasons and have not enjoyed a winning season since 2020, a statistic that fuels the urgency to capitalize on the current momentum.
Adding former Sandy Valley defensive coordinator Ben Thomas to the coaching staff provides an extra layer of expertise as the program looks to tighten up its defensive schemes.
With a blend of experience and new talent, the Panthers hope to translate their recent progress into a season that finally breaks the drought of winning campaigns.