Kamden Perry Sets State Record in Longview’s Title Victory
ARLINGTON -- Kamden Perry already had a place in Longview history. Now, he has a place in Texas history.
Perry was again quarterback Haynes King's favorite target in the Lobos' 35-34 victory against Beaumont West Brook in the 6A D-II state championship game at AT&T Stadium. He made several key plays, including a 77-yard touchdown in the first quarter in which he had to dive at the final second the break the plane.
Perry finished with eight catches for 218 yards and a touchdown, breaking the UIL 6A state championship record for most receiving yards in a game. The record was previously held by Waco Midway's C.J. Williams, who finished with 198 yards in 2017.
“I was doing an interview with someone today and they told me that I had over 200 receiving yards and I was like, ‘I didn’t even know that,’" Perry said. "I was just focused on trying to get my team ino the game. I had a great season, but I couldn’t do it without these guys. I give it to my offensive line. They hold up so Haynes can get the ball and give it to me.”
In addition to the state record, Perry set several Lobo records throughout the season, cementing his place among Longview legends such as Malcolm Kelly and Dorian Leonard. He finished with 1,862 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns, both single-season records. He also broke the career record in for receiving touchdowns with 23.
He holds the Lobo single-game record in both receiving yards (185) and receptions (12).
In spite of all this, Perry has remained one of the most under-recruited prospects in the state. He has offers from FCS schools Abilene Christian, Alcorn State, Incarnate Word and Northwestern State. No FBS programs have offered him.
Longview coach John King said the attitude of the players on this year's team, including Perry, played a big part in the Lobos' first state championship since 1937.
“There’s no different kids that I want to coach than those tough ass kids from Longview," King said. "I love ‘em. I love what they’re about. We’ve got a lot of diversity on our team. We’ve got rich ones, poor ones, white, black, Hispanic. We’ve got it all. They walk through that field house and they bleed green. That’s home.”