When you look at CJ Perillo's wrist, you see an orange band. He wears it at every practice and in every game. It says Courageous.
"It reminds me of what's important," Perillo said. "Don't shy away from anything, attack it with everything you've got."
It's a constant reminder to give your all. CJ always wanted to excel at the running back position and as a senior on the Iroquois football team, he's doing just that.
"I just love running the ball. I love trying to make people miss and run through them," he said. "I just love it."
CJ has become their go-to guy after putting on thirty pounds in the off-season. In two games, he’s carried the ball more than 50 times and is closing in on 500 total rushing yards.
"It's amazing," Perillo said. "It's what I've worked toward every year I've played. This was the moment I've worked for and desired forever."
CJ is the first in his family to play running back but he's hoping he's not the last.
His younger brother, Riley, plays on the JV team as a wide receiver. CJ hopes he eventually makes the transition to running back and follows in his brother's footsteps.
"It's really cool," Perillo said about his brother playing football. :I want to set a really good example for him and I hope he beats me."
SUPER 7 ATHLETES OF THE WEEK:
1. CJ Perillo, Iroquois RB
2. Matt Myers, West Seneca West QB: Myers and company are 2-0 on the year as they look to end a long playoff drought. In their win over McKinley, Myers threw for nearly 200 yards and scored three of his four touchdowns on the ground.
3. Emily Henrich, Orchard Park rugby: Henrich was selected as a member of the USA Rugby Girls U-18 7s National Team. She's competing abroad this weekend with the High School All Americans in European 7s in Vichy, France.
4. Jacob Maurino, West Seneca East RB: Maurino and company shut out Lake Shore last week with a 41-0 win. In that win, Maurino compiled more than 170 yards on just 14 carries and 82 rceiving yards. He also recorded two sacks on defense.
5. Ryan Mansell, Lancaster QB: Mansell and company are off to a 2-0 start. In their win over Lockport, Mansell completed 91% of his passes for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns.
6. Hannah Mulhern, St. Mary's volleyball: Mulhern and the Lancers won another tournament on their home court last weekend and Mulhern was a big part of that. After her teammate was injured, she stepped in and recorded 43 kills including one that sealed their championship.
7. Max Balko, Starpoint soccer: Balko scored three goals in two games including a double-overtime winner to give his team the Tournament Championship in Lockport. As of Thursday morning, he had 3 goals and 2 assists on the season.
