HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Permian hoping to continue undefeated start into district play
By Michael Bauer,
2 days ago
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
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