CHATSWORTH, Calif. – Before practice begins, you’ll typically find Sierra Canyon’s starting quarterback getting warmed up.
While Chayden Peery is focused on getting every pass on target, there’s something else on the JR quarterback's mind.
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“For me it would be redemption. I didn't have the best full playoff run, so far I’m doing pretty well,, so I’m just trying to keep it up,” said Peery.
Last year Sierra had to watch Northern California’s Liberty hoist the championship trophy.
It's a sting that carried over into this season.
Peery has led the trailblazers to an 11-1 record so far this season. What makes this impressive is the jump up to Division 2 from Division 3 last year.
In fact when Peery first started Sierra Canyon was still in division 4. But he says he can’t take all of the credit
“I’ve got to give it all to the people that came before me and the people that started in 8-man football, I think like 12 years ago. All of the people that started in D-10 and D-8 and worked their way up. We are just just kind of the finishing touch to get us to the D-1, D-2 spot,” said Peery
This attitude of humility and hard work comes from top down.
A person who could take a load of that credit is 13-year coach Jon Ellinghouse. When he first started the team was in Division 10.
During his tenure as coach, Sierra has won four CIF championships and two state championships.
Winning another championship this season is a goal..but not the only priority for his players.
“A coach's job is to get them to go somewhere they can’t take themselves," said Ellinghouse.“A coach's job is to get them to go somewhere they can’t take themselves," said Ellinghouse. "But also try to get them to be better men where they go off to be hopefully better husbands, better employees, better bosses. At the end of the day, that’s what the game of high school football is all about."
As for Peery, he appreciates the coach caring about his future. But he like everyone wearing the Sierra Canyon colors, he's looking to take it all the way.
“That would be huge. I have a bitter taste in my mouth from last year. I definitely want to right that wrong and bring it home for the seniors on this team,” said Peery.
Even with his own personal drive to win, it’s still all about the team.
