Editor’s note: This is the third in 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 1980s.
1980- Permian 14, Odessa High 14
The headline in the Odessa American said “No Losers: Permian 14, OHS 14”.
In reality, the result was still a win for Permian and a loss for Odessa High.
In the first (and only) tie in the crosstown rivalry between Odessa High and Permian, both teams battled to the very end in the 1980 regular season finale.
In the end, it was the Panthers that survived the deadlock with a 6-0-1 record in District 6-5A while the Bronchos finished at 5-1-1 and out of the playoff picture.
Still, the 1980 game went down as one of the more monumental games in series history.
Odessa High’s season ended with an 8-1-1 overall record while Permian (coached by future hall of famer John Wilkins) went on to win the school’s third state title later that year.
What was the Bronchos’ consolation prize? The game ended Odessa High’s 16-year losing streak against the Panthers.
1981- Permian 14, Odessa High 7
On paper, the game should’ve been a one-sided win for Permian.
However, Odessa High came close to holding on for another tie in the series.
The Panthers entered the contest with a 9-0 record while the Bronchos didn’t have much else to play for except pride, coming in at 3-5-1.
Despite that, the defending state champion Panthers needed a final minute touchdown to avoid the upset, scoring on a seven-yard touchdown run by quarterback Coy Brown with 48 seconds remaining.
Two plays earlier, an Odessa High penalty extended the winning drive after a missed field goal.
The victory extended Permian’s undefeated run to 28 games but the Panthers would get knocked out of the playoffs the following week by Lewisville.
1982- Permian 14, Odessa High 10
It was the first crosstown rivalry played at Ratliff Stadium.
Trailing 10-0 at halftime, Permian scored two second half touchdowns to avoid the upset and take the four-point win in the regular season finale.
Permian’s Brent Kelley scored a one-yard touchdown run with 4:22 left.
Permian finished the regular season with a 10-0 record while Odessa High went 6-4.
However, it wasn’t the loss that officially eliminated the Bronchos but rather a coin flip.
After the game, a meeting was held at Midland’s Memorial Stadium to determine the second playoff team from District 4-5A and break a four-way tie.
Odessa High, Midland Lee, Midland High and San Angelo Central all finished with identical district records at 4-3 and a coin flip would help determine the final representative from the district to make the playoffs.
In the end, San Angelo Central would survive and go to the postseason while the Bronchos’ season came to an end that night.
1983 Permian 15, Odessa High 10
It was another year and another Permian comeback win against Odessa High.
Trailing 10-7 in the fourth quarter, Permian had a drive snuffed out at the Odessa 20 after Keith Mecalfe fumbled the ball and the Bronchos recovered.
However, Odessa High was unable to capitalize on the turnover and was soon forced to punt.
Permian’s Jim Wilson blocked the punt and the ball rolled out of the end zone for a safety, bringing the Panthers to a 10-9 deficit.
Permian’s Britt Hager ended up scoring the go-ahead touchdown and the Panthers survived.
The victory handed the Panthers the district title while Midland Lee finished second with a 5-2 record in district play.
Odessa High finished the year at 7-3 overall, 4-3 in district and tied for third with San Angelo Central.
1989- Permian 49, Odessa High 27
Permian defeating Odessa High in 1989 may not have been such a surprise but the victory didn’t come as easy as some fans expected.
Coming off a 3-6 season which included a 35-7 loss against Permian, the Odessa High Bronchos saw a lot of improvement during their 1989 season, going 6-3 for their first winning season in four years.
Permian, coached by Gary Gaines, would go on to win state and finish with a perfect 16-0 record, the third state title in the decade for the Panthers.
The crosstown game itself saw plenty of fireworks as Permian and OHS combined for a total of 850 yards.
Permian’s Chris Comer returned from injury to finish with 28 rushes for 277 yards and five touchdowns.
