MIDLAND The Permian football team has found its rhythm on the field and has, consequently, turned that wave of momentum into a three-game winning streak.
While it looks good on Fridays, it’s the work behind the scenes that counts the most toward putting a strong product on the field.
Players have needed to step up for the Panthers to ensure their offensive and defensive units are having efficient performances.
That could be seen in Permian’s 34-23 victory against Midland High Friday at Grande Communications Stadium, as Juzstyce Lara, Brian Mahaffey and Lucas Salazar stepped up to make big plays.
Lara showed up in the ground game as he racked up 104 rushing yards and touchdown, while Salazar and Mahaffey made their presences felt in the aerial attack.
Salazar led the Panthers with 50 receiving yards and Mahaffey reeled in a 21-yard touchdown pass from Rodney Hall in the second quarter.
Head coach Jeff Ellison said he is pleased with the way his players have been able to handle the situations thrown at them over the season.
“I’m really proud of our team this year because some things happened throughout the year, being injuries or other instances, and kids gotta step up,” Ellison said. “You hear people talk about that a lot of times and our kids really are doing that.
“We really have a tight, family-type bond with each other and our coaching staff. They fought hard and had each other’s backs tonight.”
Even with the changes surrounding the team, some things like the play of Hall and the defense remained constant for the Panthers (6-2 overall, 3-1 District 2-6A).
The quarterback continued to show his versatility by completing all eight of his pass attempts for 143 yards and two touchdowns, complimenting his 111 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
The defense was able to hold Midland High to 231 total yards of offense, limiting Landry Walls to 4-of-12 passing for 71 yards and one touchdown.
Permian defensive coordinator Vance Washington said he believes the defensive unit is getting better every week and exhibiting the confidence that comes with the growth.
“I thought we played well tonight, of course we’ll have to watch the film to see,” he said. “I thought we played well.”
Washington added that his unit was ready to face Midland High’s veer offense because of how often it gets to see the offense run in practice.
He thought Midland High head coach Thad Fortune put together a tough scheme and he was happy with how the defense responded.
Although many positives could be taken away from Permian’s third straight district win, Ellison knows there are things the Panthers still need to iron out.
One of those aspects includes ball security, as Permian gave up three fumbles on the night.
“There’s no excuse for that,” Ellison said. “Week in and week out, you’ve got to protect the ball at all times.”
The head coach said getting on a winning streak is a good way to get the confidence and momentum flowing as the district schedule begins to wind down.
Permian continues its season next week, hosting San Angelo Central at 7 p.m. Friday at Ratliff Stadium.
>>Follow Chris Amaya on Twitter at @OA_CAmaya
Permian 34, Midland High 23
Permian……………… 13…. 7 7 7 — 34
Midland High………… 7…. 3 0 13 — 23
SCORING SUMMARY
First Quarter
Midland High: Jakob Vines 3 run (Bam Ruiz kick) 9:08. Drive: 6 plays 44 yards, 2:42. Key play: Bulldogs were set up at the Permian 44 after recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff.
Permian: Rodney Hall 1 run (kick failed) 3:49. Drive: 10 plays 59 yards, 5:19. Key play: Hall completed a 12-yard pass to Brian Mahaffey to shorten the field.
Permian: Juzstyce Lara 2 run (Tate Terry kick) 2:01. Drive: 2 plays 76 yards, 0:47. Key play: Rodney Hall broke off a 74-yard run to set up the short score.
Second Quarter
Permian: Brian Mahaffey 21 pass from Rodney Hall (Tate Terry kick) 9:28. Drive: 7 plays 73 yards, 3:12. Key plays: Hall completed a 20-yard pass to Lucas Salazar and ran for a 10-yard gain before a Juzstyce Lara run set up the score.
Midland High: Bam Ruiz 25 field goal 1:44. Key play: The Permian defense held the Bulldogs to three and out on the 8 yard line to force the kick.
Third Quarter
Permian: Jaquan Richardson 27 pass from Rodney Hall (Tate Terry kick) 2:10. Drive: 15 plays 70 yards, 8:03. Key play: Hall completed two passes to Lucas Salazar for 30 yards to move the ball downfield.
Fourth Quarter
Midland High: Matteo Houston 49 fumble return (Levi Crowder kick) 11:50. Key play: The Bulldog defense forced a fumble at their 48 and picked it up at the Permian 49 for the return.
Permian: Rodney Hall 2 run (Tate Terry kick) 5:56. Drive: 12 plays 64 yards, 5:54. Key plays: Juzstyce Lara carried the ball six times for 34 yards on the drive.
Midland High: Brian’Zai Perez 58 pass from Landry Walls (Levi Crowder kick) 3:34. Drive: 5 plays 68 yards, 2:17. Key play: Walls converted a third down with an 8-yard run to keep the drive alive.
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TEAM STATISTICS
Permian Midland High
First Downs…………………… 16……………….. 10
Total Yards…………………. 420……………… 231
Rushes-Yards………… 40-277…………. 33-160
Passing……………………… 143……………….. 71
Comp-Att-Int……………….. 8-8…………….. 4-13
Fumbles-Lost………………. 4-3………………. 0-0
Punts-Avg………………….. 1-27…………….. 3-47
Penalties-Yards…………. 6-55…………….. 6-30
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INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Permian: Rodney Hall 12-111, Juzstyce Lara 16-104, Lucas Salazar 3-23, Brian Mahaffey 3-18, Tristan Johnson 4-13, Devon Pierce 2-8.
Midland High: Landry Walls 16-92, Zion Ward 11-36, Jakob Vines 4-26, Jacob Urias 2-6.
Passing
Permian: Rodney Hall 8-8—143.
Midland High: Landry Wall 4-12—71, Brian’Zai Perez 0-1.
Receiving
Permian: Lucas Salazar 3-50, Brian Mahaffey 2-33, Jaquan Richardson 1-27, Juzstyce Lara 1-19, Devon Pierce 1-14.
Midland High: Brian’Zai Perez 3-62, Jakob Vines 1-9.
