At times, the script looked similar to last year’s crosstown rivalry.
A high-scoring game from both teams with plenty of momentum shifts and no lead that appeared safe.
The main difference this time, though, was that the Permian football team used a strong fourth quarter to come out on top.
The Panthers avenged last year’s loss to the Odessa High Bronchos with a 50-26 win against their crosstown rivals Friday night at Ratliff Stadium to remain undefeated.
Leading only 36-26 at the end of the third quarter in the District 2-6A opener, the Panthers outscored the Bronchos 14-0 in the fourth to put the game away and improve to 6-0 overall, 1-0 in district.
“It was a great feeling,” Permian head coach Jeff Ellison said. “I’m proud of our guys. They fought hard. The first half was back and forth. The second half, I thought we were able to lean on our running game. Gavin Black had an outstanding game. Hats off to Odessa High. They did a great job. They have an outstanding quarterback.”
Odessa High fell to 2-3, 0-1.
“I’m proud of our guys,” Odessa High head coach Erik Hartman said. “Permian’s a good team. you have to give it to them. They played well and we played hard and the ball didn’t bounce our direction sometimes. That happens. I’m still proud of our team for the resilience they have.”
Black had 24 carries for 223 yards and five touchdowns while running back John Paul Uranga had 12 carries for 94 yards.
Permian quarterback Jakob Garcia went 3-of-8 on passing for 51 yards and a touchdown.
Permian wide receiver Landon Robles had one reception for a 44-yard touchdown.
Odessa High quarterback Mikey Cota went 20-of-35 for 236 yards and four touchdowns and one interception.
Odessa High running back Jorge Valdez had 11 carries for 112 yards while wide receiver Kobi Baldonado had seven receptions for 97 yards.
It was a botched snap by OHS on a punt that gave the Panthers their first points of the game as the ball went through the end zone for a safety on the Bronchos’ opening drive of the game with 11:36 left in the first quarter.
Permian added salt to the wound when wide receiver Tyran Williams scored on the kickoff return and kicker Iker Munoz’s extra point made it 9-0 with 11:22 remaining.
A roughing the passer penalty against the Panthers gave the Bronchos first down at the Permian 35 on Odessa High’s second drive.
It wasn’t long before Odessa high scored on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Cota to wide receiver Aramis Rodriguez and Joseluis Zubia’s PAT made it a 9-7 game.
Black scored two unanswered touchdowns to give Permian a 22-7 lead with 11:55 left in the second quarter.
Despite having a 15-point lead, OHS wouldn’t give up.
The Bronchos responded with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Cota to Aramis Rodriguez with 9:34 left.
Soon after, Odessa High got the ball back and the Bronchos’ offense was once again able to move the ball down the field, getting to the Permian 15 with 3:20 remaining.
Facing fourth-and-4, the Bronchos’ gamble to go for it ended up paying off as Odessa High scored on a 15-yard pass from Cota to Santiago Medrano. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, leaving Odessa High trailing 22-20 with 2:35 left in the half.
Permian came close to extending its lead in the final minutes of the first half after driving downfield to inside the OHS five.
However, the Panthers came up short.
A Permian touchdown pass with five seconds remaining was negated due to an ineligible receiver, pushing the Panthers to the OHS 7-yard line.
Odessa High’s goal line stand denied the Panthers another touchdown on the final play of the first half after a Permian player was ruled short of the goal line and the half ended at a two-point game.
The Bronchos’ defense began the second half the same way it ended the first half, by holding the Panthers on another goal line stand.
After moving the ball deep into OHS territory, the Panthers were stopped short of the end zone.
Facing fourth-and-goal from the Odessa High 2-yard line, the Panthers elected to go for it but Garcia’s pass fell incomplete and the Bronchos took over with 7:52 left in the third quarter.
Odessa High’s offense couldn’t make much of the turnover and ended up punting the ball from deep in their own territory.
Permian’s offense once again moved into OHS territory once again getting to the Odessa High 2-yard line.
However, third time was the charm as the Panthers finally capitalized with Black scoring on the short run and helping Permian extend its lead to 29-20 with 5:55 left.
Odessa High coughed up the ball on the ensuing kickoff and the Panthers recovered at the Bronchos’ 23.
Permian took advantage of the good field position and it wasn’t long before Black scored on another 3-yard carry, giving Permian a 36-20 lead with 4:02 remaining in the quarter.
The Bronchos responded with a touchdown pass to Kobi Baldonado with 14 seconds left in the third quarter before the two-point conversion pass was batted down incomplete, leaving OHS at a 36-26 deficit heading into the fourth.
Permian didn’t take long to answer as the Panthers began the fourth quarter with a 44-yard touchdown pass to Robles from Garcia and Permian extended its lead to 43-26 with 11:51 left.
A turnover on downs by the Bronchos led to another Permian scoring drive.
Black scored a 20-yard touchdown run to give Permian a 50-26 lead with 8:53 remaining.
Odessa High will next face Midland High at 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at Ratliff Stadium.
Permian will be on the road next week to take on San Angelo Central at 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at San Angelo Stadium.
