Editor’s note: This is the second of a series of look backs at the previous 65 years of the crosstown rivalry between Odessa High and Permian.
The Odessa American will be looking back at five different games from each decade.
This one is a look back at the 1970s.
1973- Permian 41, Odessa High 36
Both teams played one of the most entertaining contests of the decade.
The two offenses had an answer for everything but in the end, Permian prevailed, just barely.
Both teams combined for a total of 871 yards of offense (453 for Odessa High and 418 for Permian).
With just four seconds remaining in the game, Odessa High had the ball within one yard of the Permian goal line.
Broncho quarterback Rodney Allison handed the ball off to fullback Doug King who drove for the end zone.
King fumbled the ball before reaching the end zone and it was recovered by Permian defensive tackle Mike Holden to seal the win and another spot in the playoffs for the Panthers who ended up going 10-2 in John Wilkins’ first season as head coach.
Odessa High finished the season 6-4.
1975- Permian 13, Odessa High 8
A close contest that saw Permian take advantage of five interceptions, two of which turned into first half scores.
The Panthers would hang on for dear life in the final seconds as Odessa High’s rally fell short.
Permian’s victory gave the Panthers the district title and a spot in the playoffs.
The Panthers went on to play for the state championship, losing to Port Neches Groves 20-10.
1976- Permian 14, Odessa High 6
The game was supposed to take place on a Friday night.
However, Mother Nature proved to be the biggest opponent in the 1976 edition of the crosstown rivalry.
A snowstorm covered the Permian Basin with up to 10 inches of snow on Nov. 12, 1976, causing the regular season finale to be postponed to one day later.
The game itself had more than just bragging rights on the line as Odessa High needed a victory to clinch a playoff berth.
In the end, Permian prevailed, winning 14-6 and extending its winning streak against OHS to 12 straight.
However, neither team would make the playoffs as both teams finished 8-2 as Midland Lee won the district title outright.
About 19,000 hardcore fans braved the elements at W.T. Barrett Stadium to witness the famous “snow game”.
1977- Permian 6, Odessa High 3
One year after the “snow game”, Permian survived another low-scoring contest that sealed an undefeated regular season for the Panthers.
Odessa High finished the year with a 6-4 record.
Neither team crossed the goal line as only three total field goals were mustered that day.
Permian’s Roberts Orosco’s two field goals ended up making the difference.
The Panthers would go on to lose to Plano High in the semifinals in a 3-0 game.
1978- Permian 14, Odessa High 6
The 1978 encounter was another battle of tough defenses.
However, with Odessa High suffering from many injuries, forcing the team to call up players from junior varsity, the Bronchos managed to surprise people by keeping the game close.
Odessa High held the District 5-4A-leading offense to 240 total yards.
At the end of the night, it wouldn’t be enough as Permian still finished the regular season undefeated and back in the state playoffs while the Bronchos went 5-5, the first (and only) time head coach Dick Winder didn’t finish with a winning season at the OHS helm.
