Athlete of the Week: John Perry

The rain and drizzle hit the field just as Wakefield ran out the clock in a 7-6 playoff win over Marblehead Tuesday night, ending senior John Perry’s football career at .

“Not the way I, or the team wanted it to end, it was tough, I’m pretty sore today. We were close, we just couldn’t hold them off,” Perry said Wednesday.

Tuesday night’s game could be the last football game of Perry’s career. He’s weighing college options and may be heading to Western New England College, where he could play some ball, though he hopes to head to Northeastern University to study mechanical engineering.

“Northeastern doesn’t have a team, perhaps I could play some club or some intramural football, but my football career is probably over,” Perry said. “We lost that last game, football’s my favorite sport, it’s a brotherhood on the team, the coaches have been great and the support for the team has been unbelievable.”

The football run and the win over Swampscott, he said, are memories he will keep forever.

“It’s just incredible to be an athlete in Marblehead, the teachers, the students, they supported our team all year, even when we had some tough games, having the stands packed on Thanksgiving was unbelievable, what a great crowd,” Perry said. “I wouldn’t have wanted to be Swampscott last Thursday.”

Perry played outside linebacker and running back for this year’s edition of the Magicians, his younger brother Nick, 16, played tight end and defensive end this fall.

“I love football, I’ve been playing since the third grade with a lot of these guys, just a great experience for me,” Perry said.

In addition to his coaches, Perry gives much credit to his mom and dad for the person he is today.

“My mom and my dad have been incredibly supportive to me in everything I’ve done, my mom as far as speaking and working with people, my dad has influenced me on being creative and working with my hands, I can’t thank them enough for helping me get where I am now,” Perry said.

Perry lives with his mom, his brother Nick and younger sister on Pitman Road.

“I’ll never forget the brotherhood on the football team, and the support from the people in town for the football team, that’s one of the reasons I love football,” Perry said. “And I love to hit people too.”

The John Perry File:

Favorite food – Fried shrimp

Favorite artist – Drake

Most embarrassing song on my iPod – “I’ve got some of my sister’s High School Musical songs on there.”

Favorite athlete – Jason Varitek

Favorite team – The New England Patriots

Favorite TV show – House

Favorite movie – Fast Five

Dream – “Winning the lottery would be nice.”

Biggest influence – “I can’t thank my parents enough for what they’ve done for me, and anyone that I’ve been able to take something positive from growing up.”