Perspectives is one of the Public League’s established, quality football programs. Terry Jones has coached the Warriors since 2010 and led the team to the state playoffs five times, including the last two seasons.
But this year his offense is in the hands of an inexperienced sophomore quarterback, Jeremy Davis.
“We trusted [Davis] and saw him throughout the summer workouts,” senior receiver Michael Johnson said. “We knew he would be ready. He’s just a kid right now. He will develop more and be even better.”
It was a dynamic first varsity game for Davis, as he ran for two touchdowns and threw for one to lead Perspectives to a 21-20 win against visiting Rauner on Thursday.
“I was just trying to lock in and put my team on the map,” Davis said.
Davis had 13 carries for 94 yards. His second touchdown run came after leaping for a high snap. He kept his composure and scampered seven yards to put the Warriors (1-0) ahead 21-14 with 8:38 left.
“I just saw green and ran it in,” Davis said.
Rauner (0-1) responded quickly, scoring two minutes later. Quarterback Aiden Robinson connected with freshman Bryan Pinson for a 42-yard TD. It was the Wildcats’ only pass attempt of the game.
Perspectives stopped the two-point conversion attempt to preserve the lead. The Warriors’ defense needed one more big stop on the final drive and came through, keeping Rauner out of field goal range.
“The key to our defense playing tough in those big moments is to always encourage your teammates,” Perspectives senior Damon Smith, a linebacker, said. “It is all built on trust and courage and the brotherhood. If we trust each other, we will trust what we can do together.”
Smith and sophomore Jakari Brown had important TFLs on Rauner’s final drive.
“We are going to grow,” Jones said. “Some of these young men started today without hair on their chests or on their face. Now they’ve got it. And I have a couple more gray hairs.”
Senior D’Shaunte Crossley had 10 carries for 45 yards for the Warriors, and Kobe Hamlet caught a 13-yard TD pass.
“We put our heart and soul into it,” Hamlet said. “We’ve been working since the summer. Jeremy is my boy and I believe in this whole team and coach Jones. We are going to ball out.”
Junior running back Ryden Carrasco had 12 carries for 103 yards, including a 62-yard TD run. He was also a force on defense, making several key plays at linebacker.
“It is a tough loss to take, being right there,” Wildcats coach Daron Brown said. “But we had some players make big plays. There were mistakes we have to clean up but I’m proud of how we came out with fight and stayed in it. Young guys made big plays. We will be just fine.”
Rauner was 7-3 last season and qualified for the state playoffs for the first time in school history. The Warriors lost to Aurora Central in the Class 3A first round.
@michaelsobriensports Perspectives soph QB Jeremy Davis led the Warriors to a Week 1 win against Rauner. #ihsa #football #chicago #perspectives ♬ original sound – michaelsobriensports