It came down to the final seconds between storied arch rivals Odessa Permian (4-3, 1-1) and Midland Legacy (5-2, 1-1) on Friday night, but despite trailing in the final minutes of the game, the underdog Panthers marched downfield, eating clock and won 32-31 in dramatic fashion.
The game winning moment came on a critical two point conversion pass from Jakob Garcia to Gage Murphy that followed a Juzstyce Lara touchdown run for a thrilling comeback win in Rebel territory.
Permian got the ball first and wasted no time, getting down to the 15-yard line on a 60 yard run by Lara. With less than nine minutes left Lara took the ball in from three yards out to go up 6-0, but the extra point was blocked by Midland Legacy. The Rebels responded about two minutes later on a perfect 40 yard touchdown pass by Perdue commit Marcus Davila to a diving Aiden Serrano, and an extra point put Midland Legacy up 7-6. Permian tried a field goal attempt in the quarter, but Jace Cohlmia stormed in to get his hands on the kick and kept it a one point game.
Midland Legacy senior RB Damien Johnson
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With eight minutes left in the second quarter, Midland Legacy went up 14-6 on a Davila pass to Nicalus Moore of 22-yards for a touchdown on 3rd and 12. Davila was able to dodge a pass rusher, scramble to the outside and connect the wide open Moore on a dime in the corner of the end zone.
Permian got the ball on the next possession on their own 41-yard line and while Jakob Garcia tossed a 60-yard touchdown pass, it was called back on a holding call. With about three minutes on the clock, Jason Maltos of Midland Legacy nailed a 36-yard field goal to make it a 17-6 game at the half. Permian had a chance for a score at the end of the half as they had the ball on the Midland Legacy 12-yard line, but Colin Brazzell came away with a leaping interception on a halfback pass play in the end zone to preserve the lead for the lead for the Rebels.
Midland Legacy got the ball in the second half but was forced to punt. Permian was also forced to punt on the next possession, but then Parker Haynes recovered a fumble off a botched snap and took it 54 yards for a score. The two point conversion failed and it was 17-12 Rebels.
With about nine minutes left in the third quarter, Permian kicked off and Midland Legacy had the ball at their own 16-yard line. On a 4th and one on their own 35-yard line, Johnson went off for a 42-yard run with seven minutes left to put the ball at the Permian 28-yard line. Davila found Serrano open in the middle of the end zone on a slant pattern to take a commanding 24-12 lead with 4:50 to go in the third quarter. However, with about two minutes left in the third quarter, Lara scored again on a four-yard touchdown, but a blocked extra point made it 24-18.
With 11 minutes left in the game, Permian’s Garcia tossed an eight-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Welton to tie the game at 24-24, with the two point conversion no good. The Rebels took over and from their own 35-yard line, and Johnson continued his strong play on a 53-yard run that got the Rebels down to the 12-yard line. On second and six from the eight-yard line, Johnson punched another in for a score, and an extra point made it 31-24.
With eight minutes left Permian had the ball, and they slowly moved down the field leaving as little time on the clock as possible. Running play after running play, the Panthers moved within striking distance and the Panthers scored on Lara’s third touchdown of the day from one yard out with 10 seconds on the clock. In what was a gutsy call, the Panthers decided to go for the win rather than tie it up to send things to overtime. They completed a two point conversion on a Garcia toss to the back of the end zone to a wide open Murphy and it was a 32-31 lead for Permian with seconds remaining.
The kickoff got the Rebels to their own 27-yard line with only four seconds to play, and that meant one thing: Hail Mary. The Rebels went for a the long pass attempt in the final seconds but couldn’t find the end zone, and Permian walked away with the thrilling one point win.
It was a huge game for the senior captain Lara, who scored three touchdowns including the final score in the fourth quarter setting up the win. He tallied 153 rushing yards on 23 attempts in the upset victory. Permian amassed 242 rushing yards in the game.
Garcia was 8-for-19 for 143 yards and a touchdown. Murphy had three catches for 45 yards, and the two-point conversion play.
The Rebels had 200 rushing yards on the day led by Johnson, who had a pair of touchdown including one that went for 53 yards. He made big plays all day, going off for a number of long runs including a 40-yarder. He also bruised for first downs, keeping the ball moving for Midland Legacy. Davila was 17-for-29 for 176 yards and three touchdowns in the air.
Remaining games for Midland Legacy:
Friday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m. at San Angelo Central
Friday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m. vs. Midland
Friday, Nov. 3, 7 p.m. at Odessa
Remaining games for Permian:
Friday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m. vs. Frenship
Friday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m. vs. San Angelo Central
Friday, Nov. 3, 7 p.m. at Midland