2014 GAME ARTICLES
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MISSION ACCOMPLISHED-MOJO WINS 44-8
PANTHERS PASS TOUGH TEST IN EL PASO
SEPTEMBER 6th- The Permian Panthers improved to 2-0 on the season with a 44-8 victory over the Mission Veterans Memorial Patriots.
MOJO was methodical in the first half, building a four touchdown lead. After a quick three-and-out from the visiting Patriots, MOJO went on an 11 play, 60 yard drive that ended with Brandon Bailey scoring from a yard out. On the ensuing Patriots possession, Jordan McCoy intercepted a pass and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown. The Panthers hit paydirt on their next two possessions, with Heath Wood tossing scoring strikes to Kobe Robinson and Bailey. Mission Vets finally got on the board with a Permian punt blocked out of the endzone for a safety. MOJO went into the break with a 28-2 lead.
The second half was more of the same for MOJO. After recovering an onside kick attempt by the Patriots, Bailey ended a 6 play, 46 yard drive with another short touchdown run. The Panthers got a safety of their own when the Patriots snapped the ball over their punter's head. After receiving the free kick Wood guided the Panthers down the field, finishing the drive with a touchdown of his own from one yard out. Mission Vets finally got an offensive score late in the third quarter. With the game in hand and Permian substituting freely throughout the fourth quarter, the game ended with the final score 44-8.
Brandon Bailey went over the 100 yard mark for the second consecutive week, gaining 112 yards on 23 totes. Kobe Robinson added 50 yards on the ground. Heath Wood had an efficient game in the passing department, going 8-of-12 for 143 yards and two touchdowns. Dexter Neboh was the leading receiver with 52 yards. Defensively, Jordan McCoy scored on a 34 yard interception return. Jax Welch also grabbed an interception. Andrew Blackstone had a quarterback sack for the second week in a row. The win gives MOJO a 2-0 record.
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SEPTEMBER 12th- The Permian Panthers remained undefeated after a tough 21-14 victory over the Americas Trailblazers in El Paso.
As is often the case when heading to the western tip of Texas, the Panthers struggled to get things going. After a nice kickoff return by Kevin Hudnall set things up at the Americas 20 yard line, the MOJO offense failed to get a first down. The Trailblazers promptly marched 88 yards to paydirt, with their Division I quarterback Q Drennan running it in for the score. The teams traded blows throughout the first half but neither could score again. MOJO went into the break on the wrong end of a 7-0 score.
MOJO finally found their rhythm in the second half, but not before a wild sequence of plays in the third quarter. 25 yard runs by Kobe Robinson and Dexter Neboh helped get MOJO down inside Americas territory. On a fourth down play from the on yard line, Brandon Bailey appeared to crash into the endzone. But the officials marked the ball at the six inch line, and the Trailblazers took possession on downs. Two plays later, MOJO forced a fumble to regain possession at the Americas seven. On the ensuing play, Kobe Robinson took a pitch around the right end, but was stripped of the ball right as he crossed the goal line. The ruling was that he did not get across the line, and Americas gained the touchback. After three plays went nowhere, the Trailblazers lined up to punt it away. But the MOJO coverage team crashed the line to block the punt, setting the Panthers up inside the Americas 20. From there Heath Wood hit Taylor Thompson on a quick slant for the touchdown. Dakoda Delao's PAT tied the game at 7-7, and MOJO had the spark they needed.
The Panthers finally took control in the final period, with Des Smith getting his first interception of the season. Wood cashed it in with a 29 yard touchdown strike to Robinson for MOJO's first lead of the night at 14-7. Americas would not go quietly however, answering with a 57 yard scoring drive of their own to tie the game with 2:45 remaining. The Panthers responded with the play of the game on the ensuing possession. After two quick completions to Sam Wilkins on identical plays, Wood pump faked to Wilkins and then hit him in stride for a 68 yard touchdown. Americas had one last desperate attempt to tie the game, but the MOJO defense held. Final score MOJO 21, Americas 14.
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MOJO MASHES MCALLEN IN SEASON OPENER
AUGUST 30th- The Permian Panthers kicked off their season the right way with a dominating 35-7 win over the McAllen Bulldogs.
MOJO hit paydirt quickly, as Brandon Bailey rambled untouched for a 49 yard touchdown run on the third play from scrimmage. Dakoda Delao's PAT made the score 7-0 just 45 seconds into the game. The lead was increased to 14-0 midway through the second quarter when Heath Wood capped an 88 yard drive with a short touchdown run. The defense would get into the act on the ensuing McAllen possession when Josh Nguyen intercepted a pass to set up the Panthers in Bulldog territory. Bailey cashed it in a from five yards out to stake a 21-0 Panthers lead. Kobe Robinson ended the first half scoring for MOJO with a 10 yard run off the option pitch. Permian went into the locker room up 28-0.
The second half saw some sluggish play, as both teams traded turnovers to begin the third quarter. The Panthers got back on track when Wood hit Kevin Hudnall in the back of the endzone from 12 yards out. Delao's PAT made the score 35-0 Permian. McAllen finally got on the board with a 68 yard touchdown run by quarterback Fred Hover. The Panthers drove down to the McAllen three yard line late, but let the clock expire to end the game.
Brandon Bailey ended the day with 155 yards and two TDs on 16 carries. Heath Wood was 4-of-10 passing for 98 yards and one score, and rushed for 32 yards and a score. Kevin Hudnall was the recipient of Wood's TD pass, and led all receivers with 49 yards. Kobe Robinson accounted for 64 total yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Josh Nguyen grabbed an interception, with Des Smith and Jax Welch recovering fumbles. The win gives MOJO a 1-0 record.
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MOJO REMAINS UNDEFEATED AFTER 31-21 WIN
SEPTEMBER 19th- The Permian Panthers moved to 4-0 on the season after their 31-21 victory over the El Paso Coronado Thunderbirds.
Early on it appeared as though the Panthers would run away with the game. On the second play from scrimmage, junior linebacker Josh Nguyen intercepted a T-Bird pass and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown and a quick 6-0 Permian lead. Brandon Bailey made the score 14-0 a few minutes later with a 70 yard touchdown run. After holding Coronado on the ensuing possession, MOJO increased their lead to 21-0 when Heath Wood connected with Taylor Thompson for a 43 yard touchdown.
As the second quarter began, the T-Birds finally got something going with the aid of an offsides penalty and a pass interference call on fourth and goal. A short run gave Coronado a touchdown to make the score 21-7. MOJO answered with an eight play, 62 yard drive capped by Bailey's second touchdown run of the night, this time from 13 yards out. After another Coronado touchdown, Wood led the Panthers into scoring range with back-to-back passes to Thompson. But a late hit after a short pass resulted in an injury to Wood's throwing shoulder. Dakoda Delao came in to make a 25 yard field goal, and the Panthers went into the break up 31-14.
The second half found both teams playing good defense, while trying to find consistency on offense. Coronado was able to score after a line-drive punt hit a Permian player, with the T- Birds recovering to gain possession on the MOJO three yard line. It only took one play for Coronado to cash it in, making the score 31-21. In the fourth quarter the T-Birds would go on one final drive to try to close the gap, but the MOJO defense rose up to force a fourth-and-goal from the nine yard line. Coronado elected to attempt a field goal. The kick drifted wide right, and the scoring threat was over. MOJO was able to run out the clock and secure the victory.
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GAME ENDING FIELD GOAL SPOILS MOJO HOMECOMING
SEPTEMBER 26th- The Permian Panthers lost their first game of the season in excruciating fashion, as a last-second 54 yard field goal gave the Lubbock Coronado Mustangs a 15-14 upset victory.
Despite playing without four key players due to injury the Panthers started out strong, forcing a three-and-out on the Mustangs' opening possession. The MOJO offense then answered with a quick eight play, 44 yard scoring drive capped by Brandon Bailey's one yard touchdown run. Dakoda Delao's extra point made the score 7-0 Permian barely two minutes into the game. After a Coronado field goal, the Panthers struck again with a 14 yard run from Bailey. The Mustangs hit another field goal as the second quarter ended, and MOJO went into the break with a 14-6 lead.
The second half started out as promising as the first for the Panthers, taking the kick and marching down field on eight straight running plays by Bailey and quarterback Trey Potter. But Potter threw his second interception of the night, and the drive stalled. That was as close as either team would get to scoring in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter found Coronado finally solving the Panthers defense with a 33 yard touchdown pass. Permian defensive back Des Smith intercepted the Mustangs' two point pass attempt, and the score remained 14-12 Permian. On the ensuing possession the Panthers would try to run out the clock with three consecutive running plays, but the Coronado defense held. Regaining possession with a little over a minute left the Mustangs put together a short drive to get down to the Permian 37, where they set up for the final field goal attempt. As time expired the kick hit the goal post crossbar and bounced over, giving the Mustangs the miracle 15-14 victory.
The loss gives MOJO a 4-1 record going into their bye week. District play begins October 10th when the Panthers travel to Midland to take on the Lee Rebels (1-4).
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MOJO MANHANDLES MIDLAND LEE
OCTOBER 10th- The Permian Panthers kicked off the District 3-6A playoff race in fine fashion, running away with a 45-28 win over the Midland Lee Rebels.
MOJO got a big game from junior running back Brandon Bailey, who put the Panthers on the board first with a 54 yard touchdown run. Sophomore Kobe Robinson made it 14-0 on the last play of the first quarter with a 14 yard scoring run. Lee answered with a 75 yard scoring drive to cut the Panthers' lead to 14-7. That was as close as the Rebels would get however, as MOJO responded with a spectacular 88 yard touchdown pass from Heath Wood to Robinson. Each team added a touchdown to end the second quarter, and Permian went into the break on top 28-14.
The second half would go much the same as the first. Jeff Baeza forced a fumble on Lee's opening possession. Heath Wood set up the Panthers with a 33 yard run deep into Lee territory on third down, then completed the drive with a nine yard scoring run. Dakoda Delao's fifth PAT of the game made the score 35-14 MOJO. Lee responded with a 34 yard touchdown run from their running back Aron Dobbins. Not to be outdone, Bailey answered with his third long touchdown of the evening, this time from 56 yards out. The Rebels struck back with a quick four play drive to make the score 42-28. MOJO answered with a time consuming drive set up by Jack Fawcett's key third down reception. The drive stalled, but Delao was able to add a 22 yard field goal to make the score 45-28 in favor of the Panthers. With a little over a minute remaining the Rebels tried to get in scoring position, but Taran Butler picked off a Rebel pass and returned it to the four yard line. From there, Permian was able to line up in victory formation to run out the clock. Final score 45-28 MOJO.
Brandon Bailey and Heath Wood had career games on the ground. Bailey rumbled for 243 yards and three touchdowns, with Wood adding 96 yards and a touchdown. Wood also passed for 154 yards and a score. Kobe Robinson had 115 yards rushing and receiving to go along with two touchdowns. On the defensive side Cody Young and Jeff Baeza had a fumble recovery each, with Taran Butler grabbing an interception. The win gives the Panthers a 1-0 record in District 3-6A (5-1 overall).
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SHORT HANDED PANTHERS FALL PREY TO EAGLES
OCTOBER 17th- The Permian Panthers fell to 1-1 in District 3-6A (5-2 overall) after their 30-13 loss to the Abilene Eagles on Friday.
MOJO traveled to Abilene short handed, as starting running back Brandon Bailey and both backups- Marquiest Allen and Bryan Rhea- were serving suspensions for unexcused absences from practice. With no running game to speak of the Panthers had a hard time sustaining drives most of the night. Meanwhile the Eagles were able to jump out to a 20-0 lead midway through the second quarter. Permian finally got on the board with a touchdown pass from Heath Wood to Tyson Banks. The PAT was blocked, and the Panthers went into the break down 20-6.
The second half transpired much as the first half had. Abilene increased their lead to 27-6 as the third quarter ended, then added a 28 yard field goal to their total midway through the fourth. The Panthers got back into the endzone with under a minute to play, with Wood connecting with Jack Fawcett from 13 yards out. Final score 30-13 Abilene.
Wood ended the night with 223 yards and two touchdowns passing. Freshman Javorian Miller- getting the first receptions of his young career- was the leading receiver with seven catches for 78 yards. Kobe Robinson played as the primary running back and managed 25 yards on eight carries. Defensively, Des Smith and Jordan McCoy had interceptions.
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PANTHERS PREVAIL OVER PURPLE DAWGS 15-14
OCTOBER 24TH- The Permian Panthers improved to 2-1 in District 3-6A (6-2 overall) with a hard-fought 15-14 victory over Midland High.
Early on it appeared the Panthers would have their way with the visiting Bulldogs, as LB Cody Young grabbed a Midland fumble on the opening possession. The Panthers couldn't punch it in however, and settled for a 30 yard field goal from Dakoda Delao. The teams traded punts for the remainder of the first quarter and into the second, with MOJO pinning Midland on their own one foot line. From there the Bulldogs took advantage of several questionable calls from the officiating crew to get on the board with an 18 yard shovel pass. The half ended with MOJO on the wrong end of a 7-3 score.
The second half found the Panthers struggling on offense. Meanwhile, Midland increased their lead to 14-3 with a nine play, 65 yard touchdown drive. The Panthers finally found a spark on offense, with Heath Wood hitting Kobe Robinson for 18 yards as the third quarter ended. Two plays later Wood dealt the ball to Taylor Thompson on a tunnel screen. The play worked to perfection, with Thompson taking it to the house from 45 yards. The two point try failed, but MOJO was back in the game at 14-9. After the defense forced a three and out the Panthers struck again, with Wood connecting with Robinson on a 55 yard catch-and-run for the score. MOJO had a 15-14 lead and momentum on their side. The Bulldogs got the ball back with a chance to regain the lead but the Black Attack defense would have none of it, forcing another three and out. From there the Panthers were able to keep the ball and run out the clock. MOJO wins 15-14.
Heath Wood ended the game with 180 yards passing to go along with 44 yards on the ground. Brandon Bailey led all rushers with 96 yards on 15 carries. Kobe Robinson led the Panthers with 83 receiving yards and a touchdown, with Taylor Thompson contributing 52 yards and a score. On defense, Cody Young and Tommy Taylor grabbed fumbles.
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MOJO MAKES PLAYOFFS WITH 17-14 WIN OVER RED HOSSES
OCTOBER 31st- The Permian Panthers (3-1 in District 3-6A, 7-2 overall) punched their playoff ticket with a 17-14 victory over Odessa High on Halloween.
In a game with playoff implications for both teams Permian struck quickly, as Heath Wood connected with Sam Wilkins on a 39 yard pass deep into Broncho territory on the first play of the game. Brandon Bailey hit paydirt four plays later with a six yard touchdown run. Dakoda Delao's PAT made it 7-0 Permian just two minutes into the game. The Bronchos answered with a 73 yard drive to the Permian 12 yard line. The MOJO defense stiffened, forcing the Bronchos to settle for a 29 yard field goal. From there the game turned into a defensive battle, with OHS posting another field goal late in the second quarter. Permian went into the break with a narrow 7-6 lead.
The defensive stalemate continued through most of the third quarter, with both teams failing to sustain drives. Brandon Bailey finally kick-started the Permian offense with a pair of long runs into scoring range. The drive stalled but Delao was able to connect on a 30 yard field goal to increase the Panthers score to 10-6. After forcing a three and out the Panthers struck again, with Wood hitting Taylor Thompson in the back of the endzone from six yards out. Delao's PAT gave Permian a 17-6 lead with 5:42 remaining. The Bronchos made the game interesting with a nine play, 94 yard touchdown drive and successful two point conversion with under a minute to play. The subsequent onside kick attempt was recovered by Taran Butler, and from there the Panthers ran out the clock. The win gives Permian the Division I top seed and sets up a playoff game with Arlington Sam Houston in two weeks.
Brandon Bailey lead all rushers with 129 yards and a touchdown. Bailey now has 1,034 yards on the season. Heath Wood was a perfect 8-for-8 for 75 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Tommy Taylor grabbed his first interception of the year.
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PLAYOFF BOUND PANTHERS FALL IN SEASON FINALE
NOVEMBER 7th- The Permian Panthers fell to the San Angelo Central Bobcats 39-21 in their regular season finale.
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MOJO SLAMS SAM HOUSTON TO ADVANCE IN THE PLAYOFFS
NOVEMBER 14th- The Permian Panthers ran past Arlington Sam Houston in their 31-7 Bi-District playoff victory at Ratliff Stadium on Friday.
The Permian offense got things going early, with Heath Wood connecting with Taylor Thompson for a 35 yard completion. Brandon Bailey cashed it in from there, bursting through the middle of the Texans defense from 28 yards out. Dakoda Delao's PAT made it 7-0 midway through the first quarter.
Sam Houston answered with a 72 yard scoring drive to tie the game. The Texans seemed to gain momentum in the second quarter, driving deep into Permian territory on several occasions. But each time the MOJO defense stiffened in the red zone, and the teams went into the break still tied at 7-7.
The second half was all MOJO. Bailey busted loose for a 21 yard gain to set the Panthers up in scoring range. Four plays later Bailey scored his second TD of the night, this time from six yards out. The defense reared its head again on the ensuing Texans possession, with Des Smith grabbing the first of two interceptions on the night.
From there the Panthers got their passing game going. After hitting Jack Fawcett for a big 20 yard gain Wood called Kobe Robinson's number, connecting with the speedy sophomore slot receiver for a 22 yard scoring strike. MOJO had a 21-7 lead and momentum squarely on their side.
After the defense forced a three and out, the Texans shanked a punt that only managed to make it out to their own 24 yard line. The offense stalled, setting up Delao for a 41 yard field goal. Heath Wood increased the score to 31-7 with a seven yard touchdown run. The Texans would put together one last promising drive but Smith got his second interception in the end zone to seal the deal.
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PERMIAN POWERS PAST TASCOSA 49-28
NOVEMBER 22nd- The Permian Panthers scored 42 unanswered points to defeat the Amarillo Tascosa Rebels 49-28 in the Area round of the Class 6A playoffs.
The game was a tale of two halves. Tascosa's offense came out firing on all cylinders, controlling the line of scrimmage and scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions. Meanwhile Permian's first three series failed to produce, and the Rebels jumped out to a quick 21-0 lead. MOJO finally caught a break on the next Rebel possession when an errant pitch was recovered by Robby Washington on the Rebel's 25 yard line. Heath Wood connected with Jack Fawcett on a 24 yard touchdown strike, making the score 21-7 through the first 12 minutes.
Tascosa opened the second quarter with a 14 play, 80 yard scoring drive to regain their 21 point lead. The Panthers responded with a touchdown of their own, with Brandon Bailey finding the endzone from six yards out. Permian headed into the break down 28-14.
The second half was all MOJO, as the Panthers reeled off 35 unanswered points in the final half. The defense got things going when Des Smith forced a Tascosa fumble. After passes to Kobe Robinson and Dexter Neboh got them inside the redzone, Wood kept the ball on a zone read and rambled in from 16 yards out. Dakoda Delao's PAT pulled the Panthers to within seven points. On the ensuing possession the Panthers forced a three and out, and then Washington got a hand on the Rebel punt to set up the Panthers on the 39 yard line. From there Bailey streaked past defenders on two carries to set up Robinson's two yard touchdown run, and just like that the game was tied at 28-28 with momentum squarely back on the Black side.
Another Tascosa fumble was recovered by Angel Gonzales on the Tascosa 30 yard line, setting the Panthers up within striking distance as the third quarter ended. Bailey began the quarter with a five yard TD run to give MOJO their first lead of the game at 35-28. Tascosa would respond with a 13 play drive, but on fourth down and two yards to go Josh Nguyen timed a blitz perfectly to snuff out the threat on the Permian 11 yard line. From there Wood found a streaking Robinson for a 66 yard catch-and-run touchdown. Bailey would add a 36 yard scoring run to ice the game with two minutes left to play. Final score MOJO 49, Tascosa 28.
Brandon Bailey ended the afternoon with 299 yards and three scores, breaking the Permian playoff record for rushing yards. Kobe Robinson led all receivers with 86 yards and two touchdowns. Heath Wood threw for 143 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another. On defense Taran Butler grabbed an interception with Jax Welch, Angel Gonzales, and Robby Washington recovering fumbles.
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MOJO FALLS TO TRINITY IN THIRD ROUND OF PLAYOFFS
NOVEMBER 28th- The Permian Panthers fell to the Euless Trinity Trojans 42-14 on Friday, ending their season in the third round of the Class 6A Division 1 state playoffs.
With converted fullback Tyler Natee rumbling for 214 yards from under center, Trinity overpowered Permian in front of a capacity crowd at Pennington Field. Overall, the bigger, stronger Trojans ran the ball 55 times for 458 yards and only passed twice. Trinity drove for touchdowns on every possession in the first half, never punting on their way to a 28-7 halftime lead.
The MOJO offense had a tough time gaining traction in the first half, with Brandon Bailey's three yard run the only score for the Panthers. The touchdown was set up by a perfect quick pass from Heath Wood to Jack Fawcett streaking up the seam for 57 yards. Wood connected with Bailey on a screen pass for the other Permian touchdown.
Much like in the first half, the Trojans were able to control the line of scrimmage and the clock, adding two more touchdowns to ice the game. Final score 42-14 Trojans.
The rejuvinated Panthers season ended at 9-4, with a trip to the third round of the playoffs for the first time since 2008. With most of their starting lineup returning, the 2015 season looks to be a very promising one for MOJO. RESPECT OUR PAST- FEAR OUR FUTURE.
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