Chris Perry’s football journey is fueled by family ties and a relentless work ethic. “I grew up in a football family and was always around it, so when I got the opportunity, I took it,” said the junior outside linebacker for Tahlequah High School. His brother played a pivotal role in his football path. “He led me into football growing up, so he had a big influence on me playing.”
One of the standout features of the 2024 season has been the tight-knit chemistry within the team. “The team bonds really well this year. We seem a lot closer than previous years, and we all have that same mindset of wanting to win each week.” This unity has been key to navigating both challenges and successes.
Chris takes pride in his role on defense, focusing on stopping opponents and setting the tone each week. “My specific role is to defend and stop the other team from scoring and also just get the defense ready to go every week. The way I prepare is by watching film, practicing hard, and making sure I’m getting the right stuff in my body every week.”
Hard work has been a constant throughout Chris’s career, especially when competing for a starting position. “Competing for a starting spot has definitely been the most challenging thing so far. I just kept working hard every day and putting in that work to earn my spot.”
A highlight of the season came in their second game. “We took on the sixth-ranked team in 6A-II and went out there and beat them 24-14 at home,” Chris recalled. Victories like this fuel his ambition to make a deep playoff run and showcase what the team is capable of.
Chris’s future goals include playing football at the collegiate level and eventually pursuing medical school. “In football, hopefully playing at that next level, and outside of it, medical school to become a doctor.” Through it all, he remains grateful for the community’s support. “Community support is everything to us. It helps my performance a lot knowing I’m not only playing for me but also the community to bring home a win.”