Growing up in Odessa and playing football, players quickly focus on one thing:
>> Odessa High versus Permian
Playing in the annual crosstown rivalry is a culmination of a lot of players’ dreams.
Getting to start in the contest just adds to the experience.
Starting three times at quarterback?
Unheard of and perhaps unprecedented.
Yet that’s what Odessa High quarterback Diego Cervantes is set to do when the Bronchos and Panthers meet at 7 p.m. Friday at Ratliff Stadium.
“It was my second start,” Cervantes said of his 2019 debut in the series as a sophomore. “If you grow up in Odessa, you dream about playing in this game and this is my last one, so it’s a pretty big game to me.”
The Bronchos (3-3 overall, 1-1 in District 2-6A) have struggled in recent years, having lost seven straight to their rival.
But a coaching change in the spring, with Dusty Ortiz bringing in a spread attack, has put plenty of smiles on the Bronchos’ faces and given them confidence heading into this year’s game.
Cervantes’ play puts smiles on the faces of Ortiz and offensive coordinator Creighton Reed.
Coming in and implementing a new offense is never easy, but when one of your leaders is 100 percent committed to the changes, his teammates follow.
“Diego has done everything we’ve asked,” Reed said. “He bought in right away and it started with 7-on-7.
“He’s a very good leader and has the respect of his teammates.”
Cervantes ranks among the state’s top quarterbacks, having already thrown for more than 1,600 yards.
One of his targets, sophomore wide receiver Ivan Carreon, has more than 700 yards receiving and set a program single-season mark with his 49th reception in last week’s 41-14 victory against San Angelo Central.
Add in the emergence of running back Javonte Delce, who rushed for nearly 150 yards against the Bobcats and it’s easy to see the confidence Cervantes has in his team’s ability to be successful.
“It feels good, knowing all the good things we’ve done, but we can’t let off the gas. We need to show what we can do,” he said.
That sentiment fuels the Bronchos’ defensive side of the football, as well.
Senior linebacker Elias Minjarez will be making his second appearance in the rivalry game and is looking forward to putting a different look out there for the Panthers.
He knows that the early-season success has placed some expectations on the Bronchos’ shoulder pads, but he is more than willing to carry that burden.
“I think we are definitely getting to where we’re expected to win,” Minjarez said. “I expected the kids to buy into the new coaching staff because we didn’t really have the numbers and now it’s good to see more players coming out.
“You have to do what you are coached to do; do your job and you’ll be good. We’ve won a couple of games, but we’re not finished.
“We want to leave our mark and set an example for the kids that are still here.”
In order to do that, the Bronchos are going to have to shut down the Panthers’ triple-option scheme that features multiple moving parts, all orchestrated by quarterback Rodney Hall.
The Panthers (4-2, 1-1) are coming off a dominant rushing performance in a 17-14 victory against Wolfforth Frenship last week in which they controlled the ball for 21 minutes in the first half, with a pair of drives each lasting more than seven minutes.
Ortiz knows that for his quarterback, and offense, to shine, the Bronchos are going to have to rely on Minjarez and his colleagues on defense to get them as many possessions as possible.
“I’m excited about this game,” Ortiz said. “A rivalry game that has playoff implications, with 20,000 people in the stands.
“The players have been focused all week and I think they’re ready to go.”
>> Follow Lee Scheide on Twitter at @OALeeScheide
