The Wolfforth Frenship Tigers clinched a share of the District 2-6A title with a 44-27 win against Permian Friday at Ratliff Stadium.
With the victory, the Tigers improved to 8-1 overall, 4-0 in District 2-6A while the Panthers fell to 7-2, 2-2.
“It’s huge for us and huge for our program,” Frenship head coach Jay Northcutt said. “We talked about keeping the future in our hands and win district games, back-to-back-to-back and do exactly that and I’m proud of our kids for doing that. They played well.”
Midland Legacy (4-5, 3-1) defeated Midland High 28-7 Friday night to keep its hopes alive for a share of the district title.
Permian, which was coming off a 49-38 loss to Midland Legacy last week, has now lost back-to-back district games for the first time since 2016.
The Panthers trailed the entire game.
“First, hats off to Frenship,” Permian head coach Jeff Ellison said. “They have a heck of a football team. they did a great job. They have a great coach. I’m disappointed with tonight. We still have to get ready for next week and then on to the playoffs.”
Frenship quarterback Holden Phillips went 27-of-34 for 341 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions.
Running back Ethan DeLean had 13 carries for 57 yards and one touchdown.
Wide receiver Leyton stone had seven receptions for 133 yards and three touchdowns while Chase Campbell had eight receptions for 99 yards and one touchdown. Noah Ingram had seven receptions for 79 yards.
“The offense has been steady all year long,” Northcutt said. “We have some good kids there. Leyton has solidified himself, yard-wise. He’s leading the area in touchdowns. He had three touchdowns tonight. That’s become the norm for him. The rest of the guys have been great players for us.”
Permian running back Gavin Black once again had a strong game, going 23 rushes for 235 yards and scored all four of the Panthers’ touchdowns.
Permian quarterback Jacob Garcia went 11-of-28 for 114 passing yards and three interceptions.
Wide receiver Cayden Hernandez had five receptions for 57 yards for the Panthers.
The Tigers began the game on a strong note, going down the field in 75-yards in seven plays on their first scoring drive.
A Permian offsides gifted the Tigers with a new set of downs as the visitors tried to go for it on fourth down on the opening drive.
The Tigers took advantage and soon scored on a 20-yard touchdown pass to Leyton Stone with 9:07 left in the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead.
Things didn’t get easier as the Tigers recovered an onside kick and took over with the ball on the Permian 40-yard line.
Frenship used a little trickery on the following play and Stone hauled in a 40-yard touchdown reception to make it 14-0 with 8:58 left.
Permian responded on its first offensive possession as running back Gavin Black scored on a 1-yard carry and Iker Munoz’s PAT made it 14-7 with 5:04 remaining.
Permian’s momentum carried over to its defense and the Panthers forced a turnover on downs.
Black thanked the Tigers by scoring on a 58-yard scoring run and the PAT attempt failed, keeping Frenship ahead 14-13 with 2:36 left in the quarter.
The Tigers answered back with a touchdown pass of 17-yards to Hayden Wilson, taking a 21-13 lead with 11:55 left in the second quarter.
Stone hauled in his third touchdown of the night with a 4-yard reception and the Tigers’ lead was 28-13 with 4:50 on the clock.
Permian was soon forced to punt with 2:42 left in the half and the Tigers took over at midfield.
However, the Panthers intercepted Phillips as Cameron Mattingly gave the hosts a new set of downs.
Permian couldn’t take advantage of things and an interception with under a minute in the half sent both teams into the locker rooms with Permian trailing 28-13.
Things wouldn’t get any better for Permian in the second half.
After a 17-yard touchdown by Black, the PAT was blocked and returned all the way back for two points for the Tigers with 7:50 remaining in the third quarter.
Campbell hauled in a 9-yard touchdown pass with 5:20 left and Frenship’s lead was 37-19 at the start of the fourth quarter.
DeLean scored on a 1-yard run with 8:01 left in the fourth quarter to extend the Tigers’ lead.
Black scored his fourth touchdown of the night on a 34-yard run and the Panthers converted the two-point conversion pass from Garcia to wide receiver Luke Paradeaux.
Permian will close out the regular season against Midland High at 7 p.m. next Friday at Astound Broadband Stadium.
Frenship will face San Angelo Central at 7 p.m. Nov. 8 in Wolfforth.
