Editor’s note: This is the fifth 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 2000s.
2001- Permian 20, Odessa High 16
Played on the final day of the regular season and with both teams out of the playoff hunt, there wasn’t much else on the line except pride for both teams.
Permian survived a 20-16 win
The Panthers recovered a Kale Kirkpatrick fumble on the OHS 44 before John McDowell picked up 38 yards on five carries.
Then, David Durrell gave the Panthers the lead for good with a 1-yard score.
2002- Permian 16, Odessa High 14
Permian saw its 13-point halftime lead disappear as Odessa High gave Permian everything it could handle in the second half.
Permian ended up hanging on for the two-point win for the Panthers’ fifth consecutive win in the series.
Permian’s Ryan Havens kicked a 42-yard field goal in the third quarter to make it 16-7 for Permian.
Odessa High’s Gary Caraveo scored on a 2-yard run in the fourth quarter with 10:51 remaining to bring the Bronchos to a two-point deficit but that would be as close as they would get.
2003- Permian 24, Odessa High 23
It was another crosstown rivalry that came down to the final minute of the game.
With 36 seconds left and with Odessa High holding a 23-21 lead, Permian kicker Daniel Robles came through in a clutch for the Panthers with his 36-yard field goal.
Robles’ game-winning kick was set up by a 47-yard drive by the Panthers after Odessa High’s Brandon Nall put the Bronchos ahead 23-21 with 2:16 left on a 15-yard touchdown run.
It was the third consecutive year in which the crosstown rivalry was determined by four points or less.
Despite finishing the year 6-4 overall and 3-2 in District 3-5A, Permian missed out on the playoffs after a 49-6 loss to Abilene High on the last day of the regular season.
Odessa High finished 2-8, 1-4.
2004- Odessa High 20, Permian 19
Earlier in the month, Permian High School was thrown back into the national spotlight when the movie adaptation of “Friday Night Lights” premiered across the country.
On the field, Odessa High reminded Permian just how long ago 1988 was at this point.
The Bronchos won the bragging rights for the first time since 1997 in a late season district game.
Much like that ’97 game, neither team was able to score in the fourth quarter as Odessa High held on for life in the one-point victory.
The win gave Odessa High a chance at a spot in the playoffs, moving the Bronchos to 4-5 overall, 1-3 in District 3-5A with one week to go while eliminating the Panthers from the postseason race.
In the end, both sides of Odessa were miserable as OHS missed out on the playoffs, going 4-6, 1-4 while Permian finished the year 4-6, 0-5.
It was the first time the Panthers posted a winless district season.
2005- Odessa High 14, Permian 12
It was the first time that Odessa High won back-to-back crosstown rivalries since 1963-64.
A 40-yard field goal attempt by Permian fell short with 17 seconds remaining as the Bronchos, once again, won the bragging rights with a 14-12 victory.
Crucial calls ended up making a huge difference for both teams.
Odessa High running back Toby Golden’s first quarter touchdown was called back for a holding while Permian also missed a field goal in the second quarter.
Odessa High missed a 27-yard field goal attempt but the Panthers were called for roughing the kicker and kept the Bronchos’ drive alive. Two plays later, Golden scored the second touchdown of the night.
Both teams missed the playoffs, once again, as Odessa High’s 7-3 overall, 2-3 in District 3-5A record wasn’t enough for the Bronchos to get in.
Permian finished 5-5, 1-4.
