The driving force behind Roseville's greatest season ever, Jacques Perra ranks as one of the past decade's best quarterbacks in the state.
Perra, the Star Tribune's Metro Player of the Year, stepped up when internal expectations could not have been higher for a program seven years removed from its last winning season.
"The players, the coaches, everyone had a good feeling that this could be the year that great things could happen for this program," Perra said.
A season-opening upset of Cretin-Derham Hall, Roseville's first in Suburban East Conference play, set the tone. Now completing his third season as a starter, he leads Roseville (9-2) into its first state tournament semifinal appearance — 7 p.m. Thursday against Rosemount at the Metrodome.
He ranks No. 1 in Class 6A with 2,875 passing yards and 32 touchdown passes. His legacy "belongs up there" with former conference standout quarterbacks Adam Weber of Mounds View and Mark Alt of Cretin-Derham Hall, Stillwater coach Beau LaBore said.
Making a connection
Before this fall, Perra and longtime best friend Jesper Horsted collaborated on only one touchdown pass — in fourth grade. Going into Thursday's game, they have co-authored 77 receptions for 1,432 yards and 19 touchdowns in their first full season working together. Horsted, a 6-3, 185-pound junior, has caught a touchdown pass in every game and exploded for 19 receptions, 293 yards and two scores in the state quarterfinals against Maple Grove.
"If he's covered, I know if I throw it high enough he can go over a guy or two guys and make the catch," Perra said.
Beyond the field, the duo spend summers boating on Lake Owasso near their homes. Perra said he gives Horsted daily rides to school and that "he probably eats at my house more than his own."