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)