Permian goes up against Tascosa

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The Permian Panthers got in the win column Friday. | Facebook

Prep Football Preview

Sept. 8

7 p.m.

Ratliff Stadium

1862 E. Yukon Road, Odessa

Preview

After a 45-14 beatdown by Abilene in the opening week, the Permian Panthers defense held Midway to a scoreless fourth quarter to get the Panthers in the win column on Friday.

Midway (0-2) had used a late third-quarter drive to take a 21-19 lead. Midway put together a good drive in the middle of the fourth, but the Permian defense denied them, forcing Midway to turn the ball over on downs inside the Permian 20 on the hosts’ final drive of the game.

This week, Permian (1-1) has a challenge in Tascosa (1-1), a team that was 10-2 last year. After getting pounded by Midland Legacy Friday, the Tascosa Rebels could either be beaten up or looking to take out their frustrations on Permian, the team that was the inspiration for “Friday Night Lights.” Ironically, Tascosa coach Kenneth Plunk was an assistant at Permian when the movie came out, and is even credited with a film role on imdb.com.

Permian coach Jeff Ellison is in his sixth year and is the first head coach at the school to have won district titles in each of his first three seasons.

MaxPreps.com has picked the Panthers to win their district title, though Midland Legacy has been a force to be reckoned with early, which could make for a good rivalry game later this season. Permian will look to senior Ben Saldivar to be one of the top wide receivers, with Isaac Herrera contributing as well. Senior Juzstyce Lara is the leader in the ground game. 

On defense, Parker Haynes can bring down opponents, and Riley Summerford puts pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

For Tascosa, also predicted to fare well in its district, running back Andrew Merrell racked up 89 yards in the season opener when the Rebels knocked off Amarillo’s Palo Duro, 28-7. Wide receiver T.J. Tillman was the aerial stats leader with 59 yards receiving.

Teams

Permian

6A Region 1, District 2

Enrollment: 3,734

Tascosa

5A-1 Region 1, District 2

Enrollment: 2,185

Coaches

Head Coach Jeff Ellison, Permian

6th Season, 40-20 heading into 2023 season

Playoff Appearances: 4 in 5 seasons

Head Coach Kenneth Plunk, Tascosa

15th Season, 99-66 heading into 2023 season

Playoff Appearances: 10 in 14 seasons

Records 

Permian 

2023: 1-1

2022: 9-2, lost 45-28 to Pebble Hills in first round of playoffs 

Tascosa

2023: 1-1

2022: 10-2, lost 31-7 to Centennial in second round of playoffs

Last Meeting

Sept. 9, 2022

Permian 13, Tascosa 12

Players to Watch

Permian

WR Ben Saldivar (5’7. 160, Sr.)

RB Juzstyce Lara (5’9, 160, Sr.)

SB/WR Isaac Herrera (5’9, 167, Sr.)

FS/OLB Parker Haynes (5’10, 175, Sr.)

MLB/RB Riley Summerford (5’9, 180, Sr.)

Tascosa 

WR T.J. Tillman (6'0, 165, Jr.)

RB Andrew Merrell (5'9, 180, Sr.)

RB Geordan Humphrey (5'7, 160, Sr.)

Season Schedules

Permian

Week 1: Abilene 49, Permian 14    

Week 2: Permian 27, Midway 21

Week 3: vs. Tascosa

Week 4: at Harker Heights

Week 5: at Cooper

Week 6: Bye

Week 7: vs. Odessa (district)

Week 8: at Midland Legacy (district)

Week 9: vs. Frenship (district)

Week 10: vs. San Angelo Central (district)

Week 11: at Midland (district) 

Tascosa

Week 1: Tascosa 28, Palo Duro 7

Week 2: Midland Legacy 63, Tascosa 34

Week 3: at Permian

Week 4: vs. Hereford

Week 5: at Amarillo (district)

Week 6: at Abilene (district)

Week 7: vs. Monterey (district)

Week 8: Bye

Week 9: at Caprock (district)

Week 10: vs. Lubbock-Cooper (district)

Week 11: at Coronado (district)

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