Last year saw the Odessa High football team end its nine-game losing streak to Permian with an unforgettable overtime win.
However, head coach Erik Hartman will be quick to remind everyone that a win against Permian won’t matter if the Bronchos don’t make the playoffs at the end of the regular season.
Because after all, less than a month after the Bronchos’ 49-42 win against the Panthers last year, Permian was back in the playoffs while Odessa High missed out once again.
“We’re trying not to oversimplify it,” Hartman said. “We don’t want to say that if you win this game, you’ll go to the playoffs because last year, Odessa High defeated Permian but didn’t make the playoffs. We’re trying not to hype it up too much. It’s just another district game and take another step of reaching our goal of getting to the playoffs.”
This week’s 7:30 p.m. kickoff against Permian (5-0) will begin District 2-6A play for both teams as the Bronchos (2-2) hope to make their first post season appearance since 2013.
“We’re taking it one game at a time,” Hartman said. “We’re telling the kids that we’re ready for our second season with district. Everyone starts off 0-0. We’re excited for this week. I’m not trying to get too excited because it’s Permian-Odessa but the excitement is going to be there because it’s a crosstown rivalry. We’re telling the kids that it’s another step to go to the playoffs.”
Last year, Odessa High began district 2-0, defeating Permian and San Angelo Central.
Then came the three straight losses to Midland High, Wolfforth Frenship and Midland Legacy which ended up knocking the Bronchos out of the playoffs.
>> COMING OFF A BYE: Both teams are coming off bye weeks.
For the Bronchos, last week’s bye came at an important time as the team has been dealing with injuries. The team suffered a 60-28 loss to Killeen Ellison on Sept. 28.
“Last week went well,” Hartman said. “We were able to get some guys back, almost full strength. It was great to have that week off and reenergize. I think our kids are ready and healthy and ready to go.”
Hartman talked about some of different things his team worked on last week.
“We enjoyed coming out to practice last week,” Hartman said. “We put the kids through a catch-and-punt contest. Just some fun things with our guys to get them excited to come out to practice. You never know what’s in store.”
>> LOOKING AT PERMIAN: The Panthers enter this week’s contest at 5-0 for the first time since 2017.
The Panthers’ last game was a 41-6 win against Carver Birmingham (Ala.) on Sept. 27.
With the exception of the Panthers’ 13-10 season opening win against Plano High, Permian’s offense has had no trouble in putting up points this season, averaging 47.25 points in the last four games.
While Permian’s defense has struggled at times, The Panthers managed to hold their last opponent to only a touchdown.
“Permian’s a solid team all the way around,” Hartman said. “Their defense has been pretty sound. Offense is good and also sound. Those are the big things that stick out to us.”
>> HE KNOWS A THING OR TWO: Not only has Hartman experienced the crosstown rivalry as a player but he’s also experienced it as an assistant coach in the early 2000s.
Not to mention, he was at Odessa High when the Bronchos posted back-to-back victories against Permian in 2004 and 2005.
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
>> Radio: KMCM FM-96.9 (Odessa High); KHKX FM-99.1 (Permian)
>> Last season: Odessa High 49, Permian 42
The series
1959 – Odessa High 14, Permian 6
1960- Permian 27, Odessa High 14
1961- Permian 34, Odessa High 8
1962- Permian 14, Odessa High 12
1963- Odessa High 28, Permian 6
1964- Odessa High 13, Permian 0
1965- Permian 35, Odessa High 8
1966- Permian 13, Odessa High 0
1967- Permian 40, Odessa High 0
1968- Permian 10, Odessa High 0
1969- Permian 28, Odessa High 13
1970- Permian 39, Odessa High 0
1971- Permian 48, Odessa High 0
1972- Permian 34, Odessa High 12
1973- Permian 41, Odessa High 36
1974- Permian 30, Odessa High 20
1975- Permian 13, Odessa High 8
1976- Permian 14, Odessa High 6
1977- Permian 6, Odessa High 3
1978- Permian 14, Odessa High 6
1979- Permian 31, Odessa High 0
1980- Permian 14, Odessa High 14 (tie)
1981- Permian 14, Odessa high 7
1982- Permian 14, Odessa High 10
1983- Permian 15, Odessa High 10
1984- Permian 34, Odessa High 7
1985- Permian 37, Odessa High 7
1986- Permian 20, Odessa High 6
1987- Permian 40, Odessa High 0
1988- Permian 35, Odessa High 7
1989- Permian 49, Odessa High 27
1990- Permian 24, Odessa High 6
1991- Permian 44, Odessa High 0
1992- Permian 14, Odessa High 0
X-1993- Odessa High 2, Permian 0
1994- Permian 22, Odessa High 6
1995- Permian 26, Odessa High 7
1996- Permian 13, Odessa High 6
1997- Odessa High 20, Permian 17
1998- Permian 36, Odessa High 33
1999- Permian 28, Odessa High 0
2000- Permian 28, Odessa High 0
2001- Permian 20, Odessa High 16
2002- Permian 16, Odessa High 14
2003- Permian 24, Odessa High 23
2004- Odessa High 20, Permian 19
2005- Odessa High 14, Permian 12
2006- Permian 46, Odessa High 14
2007- Permian 49, Odessa High 13
2008- Permian 54, Odessa High 20
2009-Odessa High 26, Permian 7
2010- Odessa High 38, Permian 21
2011- Permian 36, Odessa High 29
2012- Permian 45, Odessa High 6
2013- Odessa High 31, Permian 28
2014- Permian 17, Odessa High 14
2015- Permian 57, Odessa High 7
2016- Permian 49, Odessa High 0
2017- Permian 35, Odessa High 9
2018- Permian 42, Odessa High 10
2019-Permian 24, Odessa High 0
2020- Permian 45, Odessa High 7
2021- Permian 48, Odessa High 29
2022- Permian 38, Odessa High 7
2023- Odessa High 49, Permian 42
x-Odessa High was awarded the victory by forfeit for Permian’s use of an ineligible player. Permian won the game on the field, 38-8.
