Rams' Perryman Becomes Part Of A Tradition
Robinson defensive lineman Logan Perryman didn't grip the magnitude of what he was signing up for when he transferred from Lee just before the start of his junior year. "I didn't understand the tradition and how tough it is and how [head coach Mark] Bendorf expects the best and nothing but," said Perryman, a 6-foot, 240-pound senior. "While I was in the Patriot District, I was one of the bigger players. Moving up, I had a shock when I saw how massive, fast and strong these guys were [in the Concorde District]. The guys at Robinson, they took me in and let me know that I was welcome there."
Perryman isn't just a welcomed addition to a storied program anymore. Entering this season, the former Patriot District linebacker has switched positions and become the focus of a defense that pitched two shutouts and allowed just 10.8 points per game in a 6-4 finish last season. Bendorf will rely on Perryman to help his squad return to the playoffs after it missed the postseason last fall for the first time since 1998. "We don't return any starters at linebacker or in our secondary, so we kind of see our 'D-Line' as not only providing experience, but leadership and Logan, we are hoping, will fulfill both of those needs," said Bendorf.
Perryman, along with 6-foot-4, 220-pound senior Derek Qadir and 6-3, 215-pound senior Craig Schaeffer, make up the Rams most reliable force. "I expect our 'D-Line' to take control," said Perryman. "We have the most experience on the team because we have the most starters back, we have three. I think we have the perfect players right now to come in and do the job."
Perryman prepared to carry the increased responsibility and workload by becoming a fixture in the program's offseason weight training and conditioning program. He put on 15 pounds in the offseason through a lifting regimen that included two hours a day, five days a week and Bendorf has already seen the improvement in Perryman's performances in the team's first two preseason scrimmages. "He's not just a gap-plug, he's athletic," said Bendorf of Perryman, who gains much of his athleticism and quickness from working with the wrestling team as the Rams' 215-pounder. "He's a guy who can get off blocks, he can get to the sideline, he can get up field versus the pass, he's mobile, he stays on his feet, he's good at reading blocks, he understands offensive blocking schemes, he's good at diagnosing plays, he's conscientious about learning scout reports and learning what teams are attempting to do with their schemes."
Perryman, whose quiet nature has often allowed his ability to go unnoticed, could make a lot of noise in the Concorde District this season, according to Bendorf. "He might be a guy that's not going to get a lot of notoriety, but he's battling in there. He's pretty quiet. He's a kid that just goes out and does his job," Bendorf said. "The guys who lead by example generally get a lot more respect than the guys that are making the most noise...a lot of times, the guys that are the 'Ra, Ra' guys, when the bullets start flying, they are ducking and it's the guys that haven't said anything that get out in front."
With a schedule that includes Div. 5 powerhouse Stone Bridge and Washington D.C. power Anacostia as well as all of the Concorde's giants, Perryman expects the bullets to fly early. "Our whole schedule is going to be really tough," said Perryman. "We don't take anyone lightly. We'll take it step by step, but it's going to be a tough schedule and it's going to be pretty fun."
