HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Permian hoping to continue undefeated start into district play

For about 365 days, the Permian football team has had to hear about it from opposing fans.

The 49-42 overtime loss to Odessa High in last year’s crosstown rivalry was the Panthers first defeat in the series since 2013, ending Permian’s nine-game winning streak against the Bronchos.

However, Permian head coach Jeff Ellison and his players have tried to not think too much about it.

“The kids and the staff are very focused on the task at hand,” Ellison said. “We’re not giving a lot of life to what happened last year since that’s in the past. That’s last year so we’re focused on our first district game on Friday.”

The Panthers have good reason to feel confident entering this year’s district opener at 7:30 p.m. against Odessa High (2-2) at Ratliff Stadium.

For one, Permian sits at 5-0 for the second time in seven years.

Also, the Panthers (like most teams in District 2-6A) are coming off a bye week.

“Our players are excited for our first district game,” Ellison said. “It’s been a great open week. I felt like we got better as a football team and our kids are excited and ready to roll.”

Midland High was the only team in the district last week to not have an open week.

The Bulldogs defeated Santaluces (Fla.) 56-31 in their final nondistrict game last week at Astound Broadband Stadium.

There wasn’t anything to complain about from the Panthers’ open week.

“I thought it went very well,” Ellison said. “I thought we got better as a football team. We focused on ourselves and focused on our team. I thought we had a lot of good energy. Everyone had a great attitude and great work ethic last week.”

Ellison was also glad to have a bye week right before district play started.

“It certainly helps,” he said. “It was a good little break for us.”

>> DEFENSE IMPROVING: The Panthers defense has at times struggled during nondistrict play, but if their unit was in need of a breakthrough performance before district play starts, they got it two weeks ago against Carver Birmingham (Ala.).

The Panthers defeated the Lions 41-6, allowing only one touchdown from the Alabama high school.

“Our defense has been improving and they did a good job a couple of weeks ago of making some big plays and getting some turnovers for us,” Ellison said. “We’re going to continue to feed off that and continue the momentum.”

The Panthers’ defense will get another challenge as they face an Odessa High offense that is averaging 47.25 points per game.

>> OFFENSE COMING ALONG: After struggling in the first half against Carver Birmingham, the Panthers’ offense exploded in the second half with 27 points to finish on a strong note.

Permian finished with 38 rushes for 265 yards in the ground game.

The Panthers’ passing game went 10-of-13 for 160 yards.

“Every week, it seems like somebody else has a big game for us. Our running game has been solid for us throughout. You can see our receiving corps has improved as well. Our offensive line has gotten better as well.”

Only one game this year has seen the Panthers finish with below 40 points and that was in the 13-10 season opening win against Plano High.

It’s worth mentioning that the victory against Plano High came after a lengthy rain and lightning delay and was played on a soaked field at Ratliff Stadium.

Odessa High at Permian

>> Time, Date, Place: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Ratliff Stadium

>> Records: Odessa High 2-2; Permian 5-0

>> Series: Permian leads 53-11-1

>> Last Game: Killeen Ellison 69, Odessa High 28; Permian 41, Carver Birmingham (Ala.) 6

>> Radio: KMCM FM-96.9 (Odessa High); KHKX FM-99.1 (Permian)

>> Last season: Odessa High 49, Permian 42

The series

1959 – Odessa High 14, Permian 6

1960- Permian 27, Odessa High 14

1961- Permian 34, Odessa High 8

1962- Permian 14, Odessa High 12

1963- Odessa High 28, Permian 6

1964- Odessa High 13, Permian 0

1965- Permian 35, Odessa High 8

1966- Permian 13, Odessa High 0

1967- Permian 40, Odessa High 0

1968- Permian 10, Odessa High 0

1969- Permian 28, Odessa High 13

1970- Permian 39, Odessa High 0

1971- Permian 48, Odessa High 0

1972- Permian 34, Odessa High 12

1973- Permian 41, Odessa High 36

1974- Permian 30, Odessa High 20

1975- Permian 13, Odessa High 8

1976- Permian 14, Odessa High 6

1977- Permian 6, Odessa High 3

1978- Permian 14, Odessa High 6

1979- Permian 31, Odessa High 0

1980- Permian 14, Odessa High 14 (tie)

1981- Permian 14, Odessa high 7

1982- Permian 14, Odessa High 10

1983- Permian 15, Odessa High 10

1984- Permian 34, Odessa High 7

1985- Permian 37, Odessa High 7

1986- Permian 20, Odessa High 6

1987- Permian 40, Odessa High 0

1988- Permian 35, Odessa High 7

1989- Permian 49, Odessa High 27

1990- Permian 24, Odessa High 6

1991- Permian 44, Odessa High 0

1992- Permian 14, Odessa High 0

X-1993- Odessa High 2, Permian 0

1994- Permian 22, Odessa High 6

1995- Permian 26, Odessa High 7

1996- Permian 13, Odessa High 6

1997- Odessa High 20, Permian 17

1998- Permian 36, Odessa High 33

1999- Permian 28, Odessa High 0

2000- Permian 28, Odessa High 0

2001- Permian 20, Odessa High 16

2002- Permian 16, Odessa High 14

2003- Permian 24, Odessa High 23

2004- Odessa High 20, Permian 19

2005- Odessa High 14, Permian 12

2006- Permian 46, Odessa High 14

2007- Permian 49, Odessa High 13

2008- Permian 54, Odessa High 20

2009-Odessa High 26, Permian 7

2010- Odessa High 38, Permian 21

2011- Permian 36, Odessa High 29

2012- Permian 45, Odessa High 6

2013- Odessa High 31, Permian 28

2014- Permian 17, Odessa High 14

2015- Permian 57, Odessa High 7

2016- Permian 49, Odessa High 0

2017- Permian 35, Odessa High 9

2018- Permian 42, Odessa High 10

2019-Permian 24, Odessa High 0

2020- Permian 45, Odessa High 7

2021- Permian 48, Odessa High 29

2022- Permian 38, Odessa High 7

2023- Odessa High 49, Permian 42

x-Odessa High was awarded the victory by forfeit for Permian’s use of an ineligible player. Permian won the game on the field, 38-8.