That’s one way to get back on the right path.
With last week’s 43-6 win over Amarillo Tascosa now in the rearview mirror, the Panthers go into this week with a new level of confidence.
It’s a far cry from where the team was just three weeks ago when it was on the wrong end of a 49-14 contest to Abilene High.
However, after a 27-21 win at Waco Midway and last week’s lopsided victory on homecoming, Permian sits at 2-1 heading into Harker Heights (1-2) this week.
“Obviously, with a win, it helps with your confidence but I was proud of the way we played against a good Tascosa team,” Permian head coach Jeff Ellison said. “I thought we stepped up on both sides of the ball. We were physical for four quarters. We made some mistakes in the kicking game. Overall, it was a better week for us. We look forward to get better this week.”
>> Good and bad: The Permian special teams unit was a mixed bag on Friday night against Tascosa.
On one hand, they couldn’t have asked for a better start with Zykivion Bryant scoring on a 51-yard touchdown on the first play of the game, giving the Panthers a lead they wouldn’t relinquish and help setting the tone for the rest of the night.
Then in the second half, the Panthers fumbled a punt return which led to Tascosa’s only touchdown of the game, early in the third quarter.
“That’s the thing of it,” Ellison said. “It was a good way to start the game off. But we gave up six points on the other end of it so we have to get that corrected.”
>> Standout: Permian’s Isaac Herrera had himself a night, scoring three touchdowns and carrying the ball seven times for 142 yards to lead the Panthers.
“I’m very proud of Isaac,” Ellison said. “It was his night. He did a great job of executing on plays. He had some reverses to him. He just went out and executed. He did a great job on Friday night.”
Juzstyce Lara had 11 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown to aid Permian’s run game.
>> Discipline: Penalty-wise, it was an ugly game for Permian as the Panthers were flagged eight times for 78 yards while Tascosa had four penalties for 56 yards.
Ellison knows that’s got to get fixed.
“We have to be disciplined,” Ellison said. “We can’t have mistakes that’ll hurt ourselves. We have to do a better job of cleaning those up.”
>> Harker Heights: The Panthers get another lengthy road trip out to Central Texas this week, this time to Killeen as the Panthers face the Knights at 7 p.m. Friday at Leo Buckley Stadium.
Harker Heights, which plays out of District 12-6A, is coming off a 34-33 loss to Cedar Ridge last Friday in Round Rock.
Their lone win of the season so far was a 57-13 win over Ellison on Aug. 24.
“They’re a good football team,” Ellison said. “They’re athletic on both sides of the ball. It’s another long road trip so we have to do a good job, preparing for this week and doing a good job of staying focused on Friday.”
It’s the second consecutive year that Permian is facing Harker Heights.
Last year, both teams met at Ratliff Stadium with the Panthers escaping with a 28-27 win.
>> See you next month: Last Friday’s win over Tascosa was the last time Permian will be at Ratliff Stadium until the Crosstown Rivalry on Oct. 6.
After this week’s road game, the Panthers will stay on the road with their final nondistrict clash against Abilene Cooper on Sept. 22.
After that will be Permian’s bye-week before suiting up against Odessa High.
Permian (2-1) at Harker Heights (1-2)
>> When: 7 p.m. Friday
>> Where: Leo Buckley Stadium
>> Last season: Permian 28, Harker Heights 27
>> Records: Permian 2-1; Harker Heights 1-2
>> Radio: KMCM (FM-96.9)
