Perra will play at TCF Bank Stadium on Thursday night.
Jacques Perra, a 6-3, 210-pound senior quarterback from Roseville (MN) High, is one of the top signalcallers in the state. Perra has helped lead the Raiders to an 8-2 record and a spot in the Class AAAAAA state tournament, where they will face undefeated Maple Grove Thursday at 8:00 at TCF Bank Stadium.
Perra recently talked to Gopher Hole about the latest on his senior season and recruitment.
Gopher Hole: You have to be very pleased with a big win over Lakeville South. What is the feeling about the team and how well you are playing right now?
Jacques Perra: It is great. We have been waiting for these four years to get this team together. This group of guys and to play how we have been playing, so it is a great feeling. We have been playing to our full potential.
Gopher Hole: You play Maple Grove Thursday. They are undefeated at 10-0 and ranked number two in the state. What do you know about them?
Jacques Perra: They are run-dominated. They play a lot like Lakeville South. Their defense is like Lakeville South, so we think that if we play our game, that we will have a good shot at them. It will be a tough game, though. Good competition.
Gopher Hole: You play outdoors. Do you think that will be much of a factor since you are more of a passing team, where Maple Grove is more of a running team?
Jacques Perra: Hopefully not. It can’t be an excuse, but we would prefer the Dome, but it is no big deal.
Gopher Hole: What is the latest on your recruitment? I know that the Gophers have offered you a preferred walk-on opportunity. Where do things stay recruitment-wise right now?
Jacques Perra: I haven’t heard much from the other schools that I camped at this summer, but this summer, I was highly involved with NDSU, SDSU, UNI, Drake and the Missouri Valley Conference and the Gophers. My coaches have some connections with UNLV, so I don’t really know as of yet. I’ll know a lot more when the season is done.
Gopher Hole: Have you had a chance to go to many college football games this fall?
Jacques Perra: I’ve been to North Dakota, North Dakota State. I have been to a couple of Gopher games.
Gopher Hole: Which Gopher games were you at? Do you remember the opponent?
Jacques Perra: I was at Western Illinois, San Jose State, Nebraska and Iowa.
Gopher Hole: Did you get a chance to watch the Gopher game Saturday?
Jacques Perra: Yes. I watched the whole game.
Gopher Hole: What has your feeling been about the Gophers, especially the last three weeks as they have played extremely well?
Jacques Perra: They have been playing really well. I think that it is interesting how they do the two quarterback concept of Leidner and Nelson. It seems to be working.
Gopher Hole: Does your style of play fit into what the Gopher offense is since they not only pass, but their quarterbacks also run?
Jacques Perra: Yes. I feel that I am not as good running as I am at passing, but I compared myself to Phillip Nelson. We play similar I would say.
Gopher Hole: Would that be of interest to you being a preferred walk-on at Minnesota?
Jacques Perra: If I don’t get any offers to places that I would prefer over a walk-on, that is definitely what I would do, but I am keeping all my options open and seeing if any schools offer me after my season is done.
Gopher Hole: Are you planning on playing basketball this season and are you planning on graduating early?
Jacques Perra: I actually can’t play basketball because I am going to have shoulder surgery. I have had my (left) shoulder dislocated quite a few times this year, so I have to have surgery on that, so I can’t play basketball this year.
Gopher Hole: Are you going to graduate early or not?
Jacques Perra: Yes. I am going to graduate early.
Gopher Hole: Are you looking to enroll in January?
Jacques Perra: The school has three semesters, so I would have to graduate after the second semester. I would be able to go to spring ball, but I’m not sure if I would be able to enroll for a full semester there, so I’m not sure how that will work yet.
Gopher Hole: When are you planning on having the surgery?
Jacques Perra: Right after the season. I have it already scheduled.
Gopher Hole: Hopefully, after the Prep Bowl is what you are hoping?
Jacques Perra: Yes (Laughing)
Gopher Hole: What would it mean to maybe play for the home state school?
Jacques Perra: I feel that it would be a really good opportunity for me. I feel that it would definitely be my dream school to go to as of now, like my number one choice. The only thing setting me back is a scholarship quarterback would play over me, except that the scholarship quarterback (Dimonic McKinzy) is more of an athlete, so I don’t know if he will end up playing quarterback. That is the only thing that I am not sure of as of now.
Gopher Hole: Have you seen Dimonic McKinzy play at all or were you at a camp with him?
Jacques Perra: I was at the quarterback camp with him.
Gopher Hole: What was your impression of him?
Jacques Perra: He just seemed like an athlete and I talked to Coach “Z” after the camp and he said that they offered him early because they knew he could play more than just quarterback. I seemed like I was more of a “thrower” than he was, but I don’t know how his season has been this year.
Gopher Hole: What do you see as your strengths as a quarterback?
Jacques Perra: Definitely, power and accuracy, where I can throw the ball and place it where I want to. This year, I think that I have worked on my deep ball more in the offseason and been able to place it more accurately than I have in past years.
Gopher Hole: What things have you been working on during the season or will you be working on in the offseason to continue to improve yourself and play at that next level?
Jacques Perra: Definitely, footwork. I have been working on my footwork this summer and last summer. I have been working with former Gopher Ricky Foggie. I have been working him and working on my footwork mainly. That is definitely my weak point as of now.
Gopher Hole: He was a good running and passing quarterback. Have you been able to pick up some things from him?
Jacques Perra: Yes. Definitely and he has helped get my name out with the Gophers, too, so that has been very helpful.
Gopher Hole: You mentioned that you went to the Gophers camp. What other camps did you get a chance to attend?
Jacques Perra: I went to quite a few. I went to Iowa State, Northern Illinois, Northern Iowa, NDSU, SDSU, Drake and a couple Minnesota ones, so I got out quite a bit this summer.
Gopher Hole: Do you have any plans to get out to anything the next couple of weeks? The Gophers have a home game Saturday against Penn State. Are you going to go to that or are you going to any other games in the next couple of weeks?
Jacques Perra: I’m not sure. If I am not doing anything, I’ll end up going to the Gopher game.