GAME ARTICLES
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EAGLES AMBUSH MOJO IN HOME OPENER
AUGUST 25th- The Abilene Eagles spoiled Permian's 2023 debut on Friday, handing the Panthers a 49-14 loss at Ratliff Stadium.
Abilene would score early and often in the contest, getting things started with a spectacular one-handed catch for a touchdown just four minutes into the game. After forcing Permian to punt on their opening possession, the Eagles struck paydirt again with a seven play drive culminating in a 15 yard touchdown pass. The first quarter ended with Abilene on top 14-0.
Permian looked like they had things going their way on their next possession, until a Jakob Garcis pass was picked off by Abilene in Permian territory. The Eagles would capitalize with a short touchdown run, increasing their lead to 21-0 with 5:25 remaining in the half. Abilene would add two more scores to their tally as the half ended to go into the break on top 35-0.
The Panthers would finally find some success in the second half with a seven yard touchdown from Isaac Herrera. Jacob Franco's successful PAT made the score 35-7 in the third quarter.
The Eagles weren't through scoring however, tacking on two more scores in the final period. Permian scored again late in the contest on a 27 yard touchdown pass from Garcia to Ben Saldivar. Final 49-14 in favor of Abilene.
On Thursday, the MOJO subvarsity teams went 4-0 against their Abilene counterparts.
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PERMIAN WINS BATTLE OF PANTHERS IN WACO
SEPTEMBER 1st- The Permian Panthers returned home from their long trip to Waco with a 27-21 victory over the Midway Panthers on Friday.
In this year's Battle of The Panthers, it was Permian that struck first with a three-yard touchdown run from Isaac Herrera. The PAT was no good, but MOJO had a 6-0 lead with 5:15 remaining in the first quarter.
Midway answered with an eight-play drive that was capped by a 22 yard touchdown pass. Their extra point try was good, giving them a 7-6 lead.
Ben Saldivar did his part on the following kickoff, taking the ball up the sideline for a 50 yard return. Jakob Garcia took advantage of the good field position a few plays later, scoring on a quarterback keeper to give the lead back to the Men in Black. MOJO would go into the break on top 12-7.
Receiving the second half kickoff, Permian went on a methodical 10-play, 78 yard drive that ended with another short touchdown run by Garcia. The two-point try was no good, leaving MOJO with a 19-7 lead with 7:09 to go in the third quarter.
Midway would answer immediately, hitting on a quick seam route that was taken to the house by the receiver. Midway would strike again on their next possession from 32 yards out, regaining the lead at 21-19 as the third quarter expired.
Permian went on another time-consuming, 10-play drive that was capped by Juzstyce Lara's four yard touchdown run. Garcia connected with Uriel Montoya to complete the two-point try, and MOJO was back on top at 27-21 with 7:35 to go in the game.
Midway had one more chance to retake the lead, but the Permian defense would rise up to hold them out of the endzone to preserve the win. Final Permian 27, Midway 21.
Juzstyce Lara led all rushers with 190 yards and a score on 25 carries. Jakob Garcia completed 14 passes for 111 yards as well as rushing for two touchdowns. The victory gives Permian a 1-1 record on the season.
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PERMIAN POUNDS TASCOSA ON HOMECOMING
SEPTEMBER 8th- The Permian Panthers put together a dominating performance to earn a 43-6 Homecoming victory over the Amarillo Tascosa Rebels.
MOJO set the tone immediately as sophomore Zykivion Bryant- a recent call-up from the JV Black team- returned the opening kickoff for a 91-yard touchdown. Jacob Franco's PAT made it 7-0 MOJO, a score that would hold through the first period.
In the second quarter the Panthers special teams struck again, as Isaac Herrera took a fake punt 61 yards to the house for a 14-0 Permian lead.
Tascosa would finally threaten to score on their ensuing possession, getting down to the Permian 13 yard line. That would be as close as they would get, as Parker Haynes stepped in front of a Rebel pass at the goal line and returned it out to the 37 yard line. Two plays later, Herrera stunned the Rebels again with a 58-yard touchdown run on a reverse. Franco's PAT made it 21-0 Permian with 6:45 to go in the half.
The Black Attack defense would rise up again on Tascosa's first snap after the kickoff. Kheeaundre Abdul-Aziz jumped up to intercept a Rebel pass, returning it to the 14 yard line. Herrera got his third score of the game a few plays later, and a successful two-point try gave the Panthers a 29-0 lead going into halftime.
The second half of the contest was much of the same for MOJO. The Rebels opening drive was thwarted by a huge sack by Bryan Pry and Riley Summerford. Tascosa caught a break when the ensuing punt return was fumbled by the Panthers, with the Rebels scooping up the loose ball and returning it for their only score of the game.
Permian answered on their next possession with a big 47-yard run from Juzstyce Lara. The senior captain finished the drive a few plays later with a four-yard touchdown run, making the score 36-6 MOJO with 6:21 to go in the third.
Herrera got his fourth touchdown of the evening in the final period as Jakob Garcia hooked up with the senior slotback on a five-yard touchdown pass. The clock would wind down with the final score Permian 43, Amarillo Tascosa 6.
Isaac Herrera led the way for the Panthers with 147 total yards and four touchdowns. Juzstyce Lara added 101 yards and a score. Quarterback Jakob Garcia went 5-of-11 for 39 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, the Panthers recorded interceptions by Parker Haynes and Kheeaundre Abdul-Aziz. The win gives MOJO a 2-1 record.
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SEPTEMBER 15th- A missed two-point conversion would be the difference on Friday as the Permian Panthers fell to the Harker Heights Knights 27-25 in Killeen.
In a reversal of last season's one point victory for MOJO, it was Harker Heights that would hang on for the narrow win this time.
The Knights got on the board first with a 31-yard field. MOJO answered with an 85-yard drive that ended with Juzstyce Lara's three-yard touchdown run. Permian led 6-3 at the end of the first quarter.
Lara scored again on the next Permian possession to extend the lead to 13-3 midway through the second period. But the Knights had an answer with a quick slant pass that turned into an 83-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 13-10. Then on the following possession, the Knights struck again to take a 17-13 lead into the break.
Receiving the second half kick, the Knights extended their lead with an 11 play, 70-yard scoring drive. The third period ended with Harker Heights on top 24-13.
The Panthers opened the fourth quarter with a nifty 44-yard touchdown run by Isaac Herrera. The two-point try would fail, but MOJO was back in the game at 24-19.
While the Panthers were able to keep Harker Heights out of the endzone in the fourth quarter, the Knights managed to connect on a 41 yard field goal. Facing an eight-point deficit, the Panthers went on a 10-play, 75-yard drive capped by Jakob Garcia's four yard touchdown run. With the score now 27-25, the Panthers once again attempted the two-point conversion. But the pass was in and out of the Permian receiver's hands, and Harker Heights retained their narrow lead.
With under two minutes remaining the Panthers would attempt an onsides kick. But Harker Heights recovered the ball and from there simply had to run out the clock to secure the win. Final score Harker Heights 27, Permian 25.
Isaac Herrera led the Panthers with 140 yards and a score on 10 carries. Jakob Garcia was 15-of-21 for 152 yards through the air, and rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown. With the loss the Panthers fall to 2-2 on the season.
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LONG ROAD TRIP ENDS IN CLOSE LOSS
SEPTEMBER 22nd- The Permian Panthers wrapped up their non-district schedule with a 41-20 victory over the Abilene Cooper Cougars on Friday.
The Panthers received the opening kickoff and wasted no time in taking command of the game. After a good return out to midfield, Juzstyce Lara capped a 53-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run and a quick 6-0 Permian lead.
On the ensuing kickoff the Cougars would muff the return attempt. Caleb Jamison scooped up the loose ball to give the Panthers a first down at the 11 yard line. Jakob Garcia threw to Carter Harris in the endzone on the next play, and just like that MOJO was on top 13-0 early in the first quarter.
Cooper showed some life on their next possession with a 69-yard scoring drive. MOJO answered quickly when Lara blasted up the middle of the Cooper defense and rumbled his way to paydirt from 61 yards out. The first period ended with Permian up 20-6.
Cooper would catch a break early in the second quarter when a botched snap on a punt attempt sailed over the Permian punter's head, giving the Cougars the ball on the four-yard line. It took just two plays for them to take advantage, making the score 20-13 Permian with 11:05 remaining in the half.
MOJO would return the favor on the next Cooper possession when Riley Summerford picked off a Cougar pass, returning it nine yards for a defensive touchdown. The teams went into the break with MOJO on top 27-13.
The teams continued to swap turnovers in the third quarter. Permian took advantage of a Cooper fumble deep in their own territory immediately after the second-half kick, with Lara scoring again from one-yard out for his third touchdown of the night. The Cougars would return the favor a few minutes later with a 61-yard interception return for a touchdown. The third quarter ended with a 34-20 MOJO advantage.
The Cougars made a couple of trips into the redzone in the fourth quarter, only to have the MOJO defense clamp down and send them back to the bench. The Panthers would cap the scoring in the final period with a 46-yard touchdown pass from Jakob Garcia to Gage Murphy. The game ended with your Permian Panthers on top 41-20.
Juzstyce Lara led the way for Permian with 159 yards and three scores on the ground. Jakob Garcia was 8-of-11 passing for 106 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, Riley Summerford grabbed an interception and a fumble. With the win Permian ends their non-district schedule with a 3-2 record.
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PERMIAN POWERS PAST ABILENE COOPER
