By Nolan Ruth
X – @RealNolanRuth
When Perrin-Whitt won the basketball state championship in early 2025, I got a lot of feedback asking why I claimed them in Parker County when the school lies in Jack County. So to start this preview, I am going to explain. Perrin-Whitt is a consolidated school district from what once was two separate school districts in Perrin (Jack County) and Whitt (Parker County.) The consolidated school district holds reign over land in Jack, Palo Pinto and Parker Counties. A solid portion of that district lies in Parker County and the town of Whitt. So despite the school having an address in Jack County, I claim the Pirates as a Parker County school.
Now, on with the preview. In 2024, the Pirates were playoff bound before an ineligible player squandered their postseason hopes in the final week of the season. Despite a win on the scoreboard against Northside, the game went down as a forfeit loss, and bumped Knox City into the playoffs.
In 2025, the Pirates aim to rectify the sins of the previous season by not just making the playoffs for the first time since 2019, but actually making a solid run in the playoffs and competing for a regional title, or possibly even a state championship. Despite losing their best player from a year ago in Cameron Tune, Perrin-Whitt returns a very solid group of players that could be a stronger team all-round than they were even with Tune on the field.
Head coach Kevin Loyd enters his third year as head coach of the Pirates and believes this could be the one that puts the Pirates on the map in six-man football. The key returning player is Cole Keeney at running back and defensive back after a junior season in which he totaled 1,857 yards and 34 touchdowns in a first team All-District effort.
He will be joined by Joseph Welch and Travis Welch who are both officially listed as linemen on both sides of the ball, but in six-man that does not mean they will not be prone to big plays with the ball in their hands. Joseph had 10 receptions for 102 yards and three touchdowns a year ago, while Travis is returning after a tough year with injury but still expected to make a big difference.
Dillon Carter also returns as a lineman presence after earning second team All-District honors as a junior. Nate Scruggs is the final senior expecting a big year after waiting patiently for his turn at running back and defensive back.
While Perrin-Whitt is senior heavy, there are some juniors that could make a big impact this season, and possibly lay the foundation for the following year. Riley Sims will get the nod at quarterback this season after completing 16 of 28 for 229 yards and 8 touchdowns last season. Noah Morris is the other junior returning at wide receiver and linebacker after earning first team All-District honors with five receptions for 131 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore.
Finally, Julian Ramos is a junior that is expected to turn some heads at running back and defensive back, and is expecting a breakout year as what might be the best kept secret the Pirates have.
Schedule & Analysis
at Gold-Burg
at Aquilla
vs Rising Star
vs Covington
vs Granbury Grace
at Saint Jo
at Newcastle
vs Bryson
at Knox City
vs Vernon Northside
Floor: 5-5
This is a Perrin-Whitt squad that for the first time in a long time is high on expectation. With several returning pieces, most games should either be favored or close losses. Aquila and Rising Star both have decent teams returning with experienced coaching staffs. Gold-Burg and Covington should be wins, and I give the Pirates the edge over Granbury Grace simply because I don’t know much about that team but I know Perrin-Whitt is strong. Saint Jo will be a tough game and could be a loss before district. In the district it comes down to Newcastle and Knox City. Despite Knox City only returning one starter, it is a program known for reloading and being a contender. Bryson and Northside should be good wins, but it is not unthinkable for Newcastle and Knox City to keep the Pirates out of the playoffs again.
Ceiling: 9-1, district champions
I had the honor of seeing my first Pirate home game last year against Newcastle. Despite the loss, I could see the pieces coming together. Both teams return a lot, and while Perrin-Whitt has to go on the road, I can see an upset being pulled and the only loss coming most likely to Aquilla in week two. Something is happening in this program that is hard to explain and they are believing. Do not be surprised if the Pirates turn some heads in class 1A.
Nolan’s Prediction: 8-2, 2-seed
While I would love to tell you that the Pirates will be district champions, Newcastle is absolutely the team to beat. Going on the road will not make it any easier on Perrin-Whitt. I just cannot see it happening this year, however I do think the Pirates break their long playoff drought and I will finally be able to follow up on my promise of reporting live from a Perrin-Whitt playoff game.
