ABILENE Permian’s season came to an end with a 63-10 loss to North Crowley in the area round of the playoffs Friday at Shotwell Stadium.
With the loss, Permian ends its 2023 record at 7-5 while North Crowley remains undefeated at 12-0.
It is Permian’s seventh loss in the area round in a streak that dates back to 2015.
Permian’s last win in the area round came against Amarillo Tascosa in 2014.
Since then, Permian’s playoff woes have mostly come in the second round of the state playoffs.
Only two other times did Permian falter before the area round and that was last year’s bi-district loss to El Paso Pebble Hills and the 2016 season that saw Permian not qualify for the playoffs.
Permian’s defense managed to hold off North Crowley as much as it could in the first quarter.
But there was only so much Permian could do as North Crowley showed why it was undefeated entering the game.
A high snap caused a fumble for Permian and its own 34-yard line and North Crowley recovered.
However, North Crowley went three-and-out and Permian took over at its own 28-yard line.
Neither team’s offenses could get much going in the first quarter.
North Crowley scored first with 5:31 left in the first quarter and the PAT was good to take a 7-0 lead.
Permian continued to run the ball but couldn’t do too much.
However, it wasn’t long until Permian was able to get the ball into North Crowley territory.
Permian went for it on fourth down and two late in the quarter and converted off a run by Juzstyce Lara on a handoff.
Another run by Lara brought the ball down for a couple of yards on the next play.
North Crowley led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Permian’s Isaiah Welton reception into the red zone soon after.
Permian had to settle for a field goal by Jacob Franco to put Permian on the board, making it 7-3, North Crowley.
North Crowley scored a quick touchdown to make it 14-3 with 7:30 left in the second quarter.
North Crowley moved the ball down the field again late in the quarter on a pass play and only a Permian defender saved a touchdown.
But North Crowley had the ball just outside the end zone and didn’t need more than two plays to get in.
North Crowley scored on a run from two-yards out by quarterback Chris Jimerson and the team made it 21-3 with 2:07 left in the quarter.
North Crowley’s lead was 18 points at the half.
North Crowley received the kickoff at the start of the second half and it contributed to another touchdown drive.
With 9:50 left in the third quarter, North Crowley made it 28-3 as things only got worse for Permian.
Permian’s frustrations continued as North Crowley’s offense continued to dominate.
Another touchdown followed soon after and North Crowley made it 35-3 with six minutes still left in the third quarter.
The scoring didn’t stop for North Crowley.
A Permian fumble led to a North Crowley touchdown on the next play as it soon became 42-3.
Permian’s offense continued to struggle.
North Crowley continued to dominate and added another touchdown to make it 49-3 with 2:05 left in the third quarter.
Just when it looked like Permian finally found the end zone on a score by Lara, a yellow hanky fell on the field and a penalty negated the touchdown.
However, Permian’s Gage Murphy got a touchdown reception just shortly after to cut the deficit to 49-10.
Permian’s celebrations didn’t last long as North Crowley managed to add another touchdown to make it 56-10 at the start of the fourth quarter.
North Crowley wasn’t done as it scored another touchdown in the closing minutes of the game to make it 63-10.
