GAME ARTICLES
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MOJO HANGS TOUGH IN DEFEAT TO DESOTO
AUGUST 31st- The Permian Panthers dropped their season opener to a tough DeSoto Eagles team 38-28 at Ratliff Stadium on Friday.
The 2016 Class 6A Division II state champion Eagles set the tone early, using big plays to jump to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. The Panthers would get on the board midway through the second quarter with an eight play, 67 yard scoring drive. Ed Williams hit paydirt with a 20 yard touchdown run, and Carson Roberts' PAT made the score 14-7 with 5:42 remaining in the half.
MOJO caught a good break on the next series. After holding the Eagles on 3rd down, a low snap went through the DeSoto punter's hands, and the Panthers gained possession on the Eagles' 10 yard line. Permian couldn't punch it in to the endzone however and had to settle for a 20 yard field goal from Roberts. The kick cut the DeSoto lead to four points.
DeSoto answered on the first play of their ensuing possession with a 65 yard touchdown pass. MOJO got the ball back and marched down the field to set up another Roberts field goal, this time from 37 yards. The teams went into the break with DeSoto on top 21-13.
The Panthers opened the third quarter with an impressive 75 yard drive that culminated in a 12 yard touchdown pass from QB Peyton Powell to Justin Hammond. The successful PAT pulled the Panthers to within one point of the Eagles. But that was as close as Permian would get. DeSoto responded with a 13 play, 74 yard touchdown drive. The third quarter ended with DeSoto on top 28-20.
DeSoto scored again on a 31 yard field goal to increase their lead to 11 points in the fourth quarter. The Panthers pulled back to within three points on the ensuing possession, with Mason Sellers hauling in a 10 yard touchdown pass from Powell. Tyler Ramage scored the two point conversion pass from Powell, making the score 31-28 with time for MOJO to get the ball back. But the Eagles slammed the door shut on the comeback attempt with a 42 yard touchdown run with a minute to go in the game. Final score DeSoto 38, Permian 28.
Ed Williams led all rushers with 117 yards and a touchdown. Justin Hammond gained 79 yards on 12 carries, with Peyton Powell adding 69 yards. Kaden Horell rushed for 31 yards on six attempts. Powell passed for 91 yards and two touchdowns, with Hammond accounting for 63 of those yards on four receptions. Mason Sellers added two receptions and a touchdown. K Carson Roberts kicked two field goals and was perfect on extra points. The loss gives Permian an 0-1 record.
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SECOND-HALF SURGE PUSHES PERMIAN PAST FRANKLIN
SEPTEMBER 7th- The Permian Panthers scored 29 points in the second half to push past the Franklin Cougars in El Paso on Friday.
The Cougars showed they came to play on the opening possession, driving 57 yards in eight plays to take a 7-0 lead. MOJO answered quickly, with Peyton Powell scoring from 58 yards on a quarterback keeper on the second snap of the drive. Carson Roberts' PAT tied the score at 7-7.
The defense rose up to give MOJO good field position in the second quarter, as Christian Tschauner intercepted a pass at the Franklin 38 yard line. Ed Williams cashed in six plays later, giving Permian a 14-7 lead midway through the period. But the Cougars stunned the Panthers on the first play of their ensuing possession, busting up the middle of the Permian defense for a 79 yard touchdown run. The first half ended with the game tied at 14-14.
Justin Hammond showed that MOJO was ready to take control on the opening kick of the second half. Receiving the ball one yard deep in the endzone, Hammond burst up the middle of the Franklin coverage before cutting to the near sideline and racing untouched for a 101 yard kickoff return. Roberts' PAT gave the Panthers a 21-14 lead. The defense stepped up on the following Franklin series to force a three-and-out. Hammond put Permian on the board again on the following possession, capping an eight play drive with an 11 yard touchdown pass from Powell. Franklin answered with an 84 yard scoring drive as the third quarter was winding down. The Cougars could pull to within seven points with the PAT, but Permian blocked the kick. Tschauner scooped up the ball and raced 90 yards down the far sideline for the two-point return. The third quarter ended with MOJO on top 30-20.
MOJO increased their lead to 17 points early in the fourth with another touchdown pass from Powell to Hammond, this time from 33 yards. Franklin would get on the board again, thanks in part to a muffed punt by Permian. From there the Cougars attempted an onside kick, but Permian recovered on the Franklin 47 yard line. Williams got his second score of the night eight plays later, crashing into the endzone from one yard out. The Cougars had one more chance to score but the MOJO defense held, and from there the Panthers simply had to run out the clock. Final score Permian 43, Franklin 27.
Ed Williams led all rushers with 190 yards and two touchdowns. Peyton Powell added 86 yards and a score. Justin Hammond gained 58 yards on eight carries, with Kaden Horrell adding 57 yards on the ground. Powell passed for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Hammond was the main target with eight receptions for 147 yards and two scores. Tyler Ramage added one reception for 16 yards. Defensively the Panthers got interceptions from Keatyn Armstrong, Christian Tschauner, and Tanner Adams. The win gives Permian a 1-1 record.
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FOURTH-QUARTER COMEBACK FALLS SHORT VS SLC
SEPTEMBER 14th- A furious fourth-quarter rally by Permian came up short in Southlake, giving the Carroll Dragons a 24-20 victory over the Panthers.
In a game that was delayed for over an hour by lightning in the area, it was the host Dragons that came out on top. After trading punts through most of the first quarter, the Dragons struck first with a 56 yard touchdown run on the first play of the possession. Meanwhile, the Panthers' offense remained mired in mistakes and penalties. The first quarter ended with Carroll on top 7-0.
Carroll increased their lead to 10 points with a 27 yard field goal in the second period. The teams went into the halftime break with the score 10-0 in favor of the Dragons.
The second half began with both teams trading punts. At 8:07 in the third quarter was when a large lightning strike nearby forced the teams to return to the locker rooms to wait out the storm. After the necessary waiting period mandated by U.I.L. rules regarding lightning, the two teams finally returned to the field. Carroll got on the board again at the 2:37 mark with a 24 yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was good, giving the Dragons a 17-0 lead.
MOJO finally came alive in the fourth quarter. Christian Tschauner returned a kick to the 50 yard line, setting up good field position for the Panthers. Peyton Powell connected with Justin Hammond on a 23 yard pass to get MOJO into the red zone, then got the Panthers on the board with a nifty 3 yard pass to Tyler Ramage in the back of the endzone. Carson Roberts' PAT made the score 17-7 with 11:15 left to play.
DE Matt Jones made a huge play on the ensuing Dragons possession, forcing a punt that gave the Panthers the ball on the 49 yard line. MOJO would make them pay six plays later. Going for it on fourth down, Permian reached into their bag of tricks. Powell threw a quick hitch to Mason Sellers, who then passed the ball to a wide open Hammond for the score. Just like that MOJO was back in the game at 17-14 with 5:48 remaining.
Just as quickly as the Panthers had changed the momentum of the game, the Dragons grabbed it back with a 90 yard touchdown run to make the score 24-14. Permian answered with a seven play, 75 yard drive capped by a remarkable 23 yard touchdown scramble by Powell. Carroll blocked the extra point try, leaving Permian down by four points with 2:23 remaining.
A big defensive stand gave MOJO the ball with one more chance to score. The Panthers would get down to the Carroll 33 yard line, only to give up a quarterback sack on the final play. The clock ran out with the final score Southlake Carroll 24, Permian 20.
Ed Williams led Permian rushers with 53 yards on 20 carries. Peyton Powell added 47 yards, with Justin Hammond contributing 41 on the ground. Powell threw for 220 yards and a touchdown. Hammond caught five balls for 107 yards and a touchdown, with Tyler Ramage adding five receptions for 59 yards and a score. Chase Stell grabbed his first interception of the season for the defense. The loss drops Permian to 1-2 on the season.
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PERMIAN PANTHERS POUND PUMAS ON HOMECOMING
SEPTEMBER 21st- Permian pounded their way to a 70-8 Homecoming victory over the Pumas from the International School of Broward, Florida.
With Peyton Powell sitting out the game due to injury, Justin Hammond got the start at quarterback and wasted no time in getting the Panthers rolling. On the first play of the game Hammond called his own number, racing up the near sideline for a 67 yard gain. Alex Rose capped the drive two plays later with a seven yard touchdown run. Carson Roberts' PAT gave the Panthers a 7-0 lead with just a little over a minute off the clock. MOJO would strike again quickly after forcing a Pumas punt. Tanner Adams blocked the kick, with Andy Notley recovering in the endzone for the score and a 14-0 lead.
The Pumas served up another gift on the ensuing kickoff when they failed to successfully field the ball. Kaden Horrell recovered to set up the Panthers on the 32 yard line. Hammond finished the short drive with a six yard touchdown run to make the score 21-0 Permian. After another quick three-and-out from the MOJO defense, Ed Williams got his first score of the night on a 45 yard scoring scamper. Horrell would get into the act on the next MOJO possession with a 14 yard TD run. The first quarter ended with the Panthers on top 35-0.
The offensive onslaught would continue in the second quarter. Williams had consecutive runs of 22 and 21 yards before finishing the drive with a one yard touchdown run. Chase Stell grabbed his second interception of the year on the next Puma possession, giving MOJO the ball at the 13 yard line. It only took one play for Hammond to get his second TD of the evening from 13 yards out to give the Panthers a 49-0 lead midway through the period. After another botched punt by the hapless Pumas, Williams got his third score of the game with another one-yard run. MOJO went into the break with a 56-0 lead.
The second half began the same way the first half had ended, with Permian taking advantage of another bad punt by the Pumas. Kicking from their own endzone the ball went straight up in the air, landing at the one-yard line and bouncing staright into the arms of Devin Hinojos. The touchdown gave MOJO a 63-0 lead with 10:22 remaining in the third period. Rose got his second touchdown of the game a few minutes later with an 11 yard touchdown run. The third quarter ended with Permian on top 70-0.
ISB finally got on the board in the fourth quarter on an 11 yard touchdown pass. MOJO drained the clock on the final possession to bring the game to an end. Final score Panthers 70, Pumas 8.
Ed Williams led all rushers with 167 yards and three touchdowns. Justin Hammond added 84 yards and two scores. Dominique Nelson and Alex Rose combined for 60 yards on the ground, with Rose scoring twice. Andy Notley and Devin Hinojos scored touchdowns on special teams.
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PERMIAN EARNS LOPSIDED WIN VS LOS FRESNOS
SEPTEMBER 28th- The Permian Panthers laid a licking on the Los Fresnos Falcons on Friday, cruising to a 56-0 victory at Ratliff Stadium.
The Panthers took the opening kick and marched right down the field, with consecutive long runs by Peyton Powell pushing the ball deep into Los Fresnos territory. But a fumble by Ed Williams after a hard hit would give the Falcons a reprieve. Their excitement didn't last long however, as the MOJO defense held the Falcons to no yards on three consecutive plays to force a punt. Permian promptly took the ball and marched 60 yards in eight plays, capping the drive with a 21 yard pass from Powell to Justin Hammond. Carson Roberts' PAT made it 7-0 Panthers as the first quarter came to an end.
The defense came up with a big play to begin the second period, with CB Rakeeb Adeyemi grabbing his first interception of the year. Long runs from Williams and Hammond set up a three yard touchdown scramble by Powell to give the Panthers a 14-0 lead. After the MOJO defense forced another three-and-out by Los Fresnos, Powell would show his passing prowess with completions to Hammond and Kaden Horrell. Williams capped the drive with a five yard touchdown run. MOJO got another quick score after an 11 yard punt on the Falcons' next possession, with Mason Sellers hauling in a 35 yard pass from Powell. The Panthers went into the break with a 28-0 lead.
The second half looked a lot like the first. The Panthers put together a nine play, 77 yard scoring drive capped by Williams' second touchdown of the night on a three yard run. Williams got his third score on the next MOJO drive, bursting up the middle untouched from 17 yard out. Meanwhile the Black Attack continued their domination, with Chase Stell picking off a Falcons pass and returning it to the five yard line. Adam Martinez got his first touchdown of the year two plays later, taking a pitch from Christian Rodriguez and racing around the right end to paydirt for a 49-0 Permian lead. Stell outdid himself on the ensuing Los Fresnos possession, grabbinbg a tipped pass and taking it all the way to the house. The teams traded possessions in the fourth quarter with no further scoring. The game would end with MOJO on top 56-0 over the Falcons.
Ed Williams led all rushers with 137 yards and three touchdowns. Peyton Powell added 95 yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts. Through the air, Powell was 11-14 for 170 yards and two touchdowns. Mason Sellers caught three passes for 70 yards and a touchdown, with Hammond grabbing five passes for 58 yards and a score. Defensively Chase Stell added to his team leading total with his third and fourth picks of the season. Rakeeb Adeyemi grabbed the other interception for MOJO. The win gives the Panthers a 3-2 record going into the open week.
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MOJO ROLLS IN THE RUMBLE AT RATLIFF
OCTOBER 12th- The Permian Panthers kicked off the District 2-6A race with a dominating 42-10 victory over the Odessa Bronchos on Friday.
Coming into the game with a 4-1 record hopes were high on the Bronchos side, and early on it looked like it would be a ballgame. MOJO scored on the second play of the game, with Ed Williams busting up the middle and racing to the endzone from 85 yards out. Carson Roberts' PAT gave the Panthers a 7-0 lead. The Bronchos would not be outdone however, taking the ensuing kickoff all the way back to tie the game at 7-7 with just 1:03 off the clock.
The Panthers responded with an eight-play, 75 yard scoring drive highlighted by a nice 33 yard pass from Peyton Powell to Justin Hammond. The duo connected again for the touchdown, with Hammond going up between two defenders to haul in the pass from Powell. On the ensuing possession OHS would look to answer with a drive that got them down to the Permian one yard line. But MOJO put up a tremendous goal line stand, forcing the Bronchos to settle for a field goal. The first quarter ended with the Panthers on top 14-10.
MOJO took over the game in the second quarter. After completing a 35 yard pass to Kaden Horrell, Powell scored on a nifty 19 yard run right up the middle of the Bronchos defense. The senior signal caller would get into the endzone again on the next Permian possession, capping an eight-play, 75 yard drive with a seven yard touchdown run. Permian held a 28-10 advantage.
The Black Attack defense rose up once again on the ensuing OHS possession. With the second quarter winding down, the Bronchos chose to go for it on 4th down and two yards to go. But the play was stopped short of the marker, and MOJO took over with under a minute to go. It would only take one play for the Panthers to capitalize. Mason Sellers took a reverse pitch from Powell, then turned and threw to a wide-open Hammond who was behind the OHS defense. Roberts converted on his fifth PAT of the evening, and the Panthers went into the break with a 35-10 lead.
The second half was slowed down by an injury to a Bronchos player. As play resumed after a 20 minute delay, the Panthers got into the endzone again with an 18 yard touchdown run by Powell. That would be the final touchdown of the evening, with Permian substituting liberally in the fourth quarter. The game ended with MOJO on top 42-10.
Ed Williams led all rushers with 185 yards and a score on 16 carries. Peyton Powell added 85 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Through the air Powell completed eight passes for 166 yards and a touchdown. Mason Sellers completed one pass for 34 yards and a touchdown. Justin Hammond led all receivers with 141 yards and two scores. The win gives MOJO a 1-0 district record (4-2 overall).
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MOJO REPELS RAIN AND REBELS ON THE ROAD
OCTOBER 18th- The Permian Panthers overcame wet conditions and a late deficit to defeat the Tascosa Rebels 32-25 in Amarillo.
Early on it looked like it would be business as usual for the Panthers. Receiving the opening kick MOJO moved methodically down the field, scoring on a 10-play, 79 yard drive. Ed Williams sealed the deal with a three yard run. Carson Roberts' PAT made the score Permian 7, Tascosa 0.
Tascosa answered with a long scoring drive of their own and a bit of luck. On a first and goal from the Permian nine yard line, the Rebels runningback fumbled the ball into the endzone. After a mad scramble for the ball Tascosa would come up with the recovery and the touchdown. The first quarter ended with the game tied at 7-7.
Permian would get a pair of scores in the second period. Peyton Powell connected with Braydon Rhea on a 45 yard pass reception, then finished the drive with a 14 yard scoring strike to Justin Hammond. After the Black Attack defense forced the first Tascosa punt of the game, Permian got a 28 yard field goal from Roberts to go up 17-7 with 4:55 remaining in the first half.
It appeared the Panthers had stopped Tascosa again on the ensuing possession, but a late-hit penalty gave the Rebels another shot to score. With the clock winding down the Rebels would cash in the gift with an eight yard touchdown run. The half ended with Permian on top 17-13.
Tascosa received the second half kick but their drive went nowhere. A short punt gave Permian great field position at midfield. It only took five plays for the Panthers to hit paydirt, with Powell scoring on a spectacular run from 28 yards out. The PAT made the score 24-13 in favor of MOJO.
At that point it appeared the Panthers were firmly in control. But the host Rebels would not go quietly. A Permian fumble gave the Rebels possession at the 27 yard line, and from there it only took three plays for Tascosa to cash in. The two point conversion attempt failed, but the Rebels were back in the game. The third quarter ended with the Panthers clinging to a 24-20 lead.
Permian decided to gamble in the final period. Facing a fourth down and six, the Panthers attempted a fake punt. Tascosa would successfully defend the fake however, and took over at midfield with momentum on their side. From there it only took two plays to get in the endzone, and despite failing on another two-point attempt the Rebels had their first lead of the night at 25-24.
The Panthers ripped the collective hearts out of the Rebels in the final moments of the game. A great defensive stand by MOJO forced the Rebels to punt with 1:03 remaining. The punt went down to the 49 yard line, setting up the last-second heroics. On second down Powell dropped back, pump-faked to the flats, then launched a perfect pass to Justin Hammond streaking down the sideline. Hammond caught the pass in stride and strolled into the endzone to regain the lead with 45 seconds remaining. Powell then hit Hammond in the corner of the endzone for the two-point conversion. Tascosa had one more chance to score but their final pass fell incomplete, and MOJO took home the 32-25 victory. The win gives Permian a 2-0 record (5-2 overall).
Ed Williams led MOJO on the ground with 80 yards and a touchdown. Peyton Powell added 62 and a score. Justin Hammond rushed for 50 yards. Powell completed seven passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns. Hammond was the leading receiver with 93 yards and two scores. Tyler Ramage grabbed three for 59 yards, and Braydon Rhea had one reception for 45 yards.
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PERMIAN POUNDS THE MIDLAND BULLDOGS
OCTOBER 26th- The Permian Panthers remained undefeated in District 2-6A and clinched a playoff berth with their 34-7 win over the Midland Bulldogs on Friday.
The Panthers took control early in the game, with Ed Williams scoring from 38 yards out on the fifth play from scrimmage. After forcing a quick three-and-out by the Bulldogs, Williams would turn the trick again on the following Permian possession. Taking a quick handoff from Peyton Powell, Williams burst through the middle of the Midland defense untouched for a 64 yard touchdown. The first half ended with MOJO in command 14-0.
The Panthers would increase their lead in the second quarter with help from the Black Attack defense. Senior linebacker Tanner Adams gave MOJO excellent field position with an interception at the 41 yard line. Justin Hammond had an 18 yard run on the first snap of the drive, then Powell connected with Kaden Horrell on 37 yard catch-and-run touchdown. Carson Roberts' PAT gave the Panthers a 21-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
Midland caught a break late in the period, recovering a fumble deep in Permian territory. It only took four plays for the Bulldogs to get into the endzone, and the half ended with Permian on top 21-7.
The second half began with Midland taking the kickoff out close to midfield. But the Bulldogs found the stingy MOJO defense impeding their progress and were forced to punt. Taking over at their own 37 yardline, Permian put together a 12 play, 63 yard drive capped by Horrell's two yard touchdown run. The third quarter would end with Permian in the lead 28-7.
The defense set up the final score with another turnover in the fourth quarter. Linebacker Cameron Martinez stepped in front of a Bulldog pass for his first interception of the season. From there QB Christian Rodriguez led the Panthers on a quick three play scoring drive that ended with a four yard touchdown pass to Tyler Ramage. THE PAT was no good, but the damage was done. The game ended with the fineal score Permian 34, Midland 7.
Ed Williams rushed for a season-high 239 yards and two touchdowns. Williams now has 1,167 yards on the season. Justin Hammond added 51 yards on five carries. Peyton Powell completed four passes for 91 yards, and Christian Rodriguez was 2-for-2 passing with a four yard touchdown to Tyler Ramage. Kaden Horrell was the leading receiver with 58 yards and a score. Defensively, Tanner Adams grabbed two interceptions, with Keatyn Armstrong and Cameron Martinez grabbing one pick each. With the win the Panthers are 3-0 in District 2-6A (6-2 overall).
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PERMIAN GRINDS OUT 38-10 WIN OVER FRENSHIP
NOVEMBER 2nd- The Permian Panthers secured a share of the District 2-6A title with a 38-10 victory over the Frenship Tigers on Senior Night.
Senior quarterback Christian Rodriguez would get the start for the injured Peyton Powell, and was looking solid early on. But the first drive for MOJO ended with a lost fumble, and Frenship used the gift to get on the board first with a 22 yard field goal. The first quarter ended with Permian down 3-0.
The offense would get going in the second quarter. Ed Williams capped a 17 play, 95 yard drive with a two yard touchdown run. Carson Roberts' PAT gave MOJO the lead at 7-3. Frenship answered with a 76 yard touchdown drive to retake the lead 10-7, but that would be as close as the Tigers would get. On the ensuing Permian possession, Williams and Rodriguez sandwiched long runs around a 20 yard pass to Justin Hammond. Hammond then finished the drive with a 17 yard touchdown run to put MOJO back on top 14-10.
The defense stepped up on the following Frenship possession, with Christian Tschauner intercepting a Tiger pass and returning it to the Permian 35. From there Hammond and Kaden Horrell combined for 30 yards on consecutive runs, and then Rodriguez connected with Horrell on a perfectly thrown pass from 14 yards out for the third score of the quarter. MOJO went into the break with a 21-10 lead.
Permian increased their lead to 18 points in the third quarter. Rodriguez hit Mason Sellers with a 27 yard pass down to the Frenship one yard line. Williams got his second touchdown of the evening four plays later, and Roberts' PAT made the score Permian 28, Frenship 10.
Williams would get his third score of the night in the final period. Taking over at their own three yard line, Horrell and Adam Martinez had runs of 17 and 16 yards to help MOJO move the ball out to midfield. Rodriguez then connected with Sellers for their second big pass play of the night for a 43 yard gain. Williams finished the drive with a five yard touchdown run for a 35-10 lead.
After another interception by Chase Stell, Roberts would end the scoring with a 26 yard field goal. The clock ran out with Permian on top 38-10.
Ed Williams led all rushers with 103 yards and three touchdowns. Kaden Horrell and Justin Hammond added 65 and 64 yards, respectively. Christian Rodriguez passed for 107 yards and a touchdown. Mason Sellers was the leading receiver with 70 yards on two receptions. Defensively, Chase Stell and Christian Tschauner grabbed interceptions. With the victory, MOJO moves to 4-0 in District 2-6A (7-2 overall) and has a share of the district title.
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PANTHERS FALL IN DISTRICT FINALE
NOVEMBER 9th- The Permian Panthers dropped their final District 2-6A game 43-36 to the Midland Lee Rebels on Friday.
With district title implications as well as a national viewing audience via Adidas Friday Night Stripes, the game lived up to the hype. Receiving the opening kick, the Panthers struck first with a 12 play, 75 yard drive that ended with Ed Williams crashing into the endzone from one yard out for a 7-0 lead. MOJO made it 14-0 on their next possession, with Peyton Powell hitting a wide-open Justin Hammond in stride for a 54 yard touchdown. Midland Lee answered on their ensuing possession with a 63 yard touchdown run. The first quarter ended with Permian on top 14-7.
The Rebels grabbed momentum in the second quarter. An eight play, 70 yard scoring drive tied the game at 14-14. The Rebels then took the lead on their next possession with a 26 yard touchdown run on third down. The Panthers responded with a 75 yard scoring drive that culminated with Williams' second touchdown of the evening. Lee would answer with a touchdown run as the half ended. Permian went into the halftime break down 28-21.
The Rebels received the second half kick and promptly marched 69 yards in eight plays. On the ensuing Panther possession, Powell passed to Kaden Horrell for a 44 yard gain down to the Lee seven yard line. The Rebels' defense stiffened however, and MOJO settled for a 21 field goal from Carson Roberts. The third quarter ended with Midland Lee in the lead 35-24.
The Panthers appeared to grab momentum away from the Rebels in the fourth quarter. After a short Midland Lee punt gave Permian possession at midfield, Powell would make them pay with a 42 yard touchdown pass to Tyler Ramage. The two point conversion attempt failed, but Permian was back in the game at 35-30. DE Matt Jones came up big for MOJO on the next Rebel possession, sacking the quarterback for a huge loss and forcing another Midland Lee punt. With the ball back in Permian's hands, Powell ran for 14 yards on consecutive plays before connecting with Mason Sellers on a 44 yard touchdown strike. The two point failed again, but at 36-35 the Panthers had the lead for the first time since the beginning of the game.
The final possession for Lee would set up the exciting ending. The Rebels drove to the MOJO 43 yard line before LB Tanner Adams intercepted a pass across the middle and returned it deep into Lee territory. But the play was wiped out by an offsides penalty, and Lee had new life. The Rebels took advantage of the gift seven plays later with a 16 yard touchdown pass. The two point conversion try was good, giving the Rebels a 43-36 lead with just 1:07 to play. MOJO had one final chance to scor,e but a long pass to a wide-open receiver fell incomplete. From there the Rebels ran out the clock to hold on for the 43-36 victory.
The Panthers end the regular season at 4-1 in District 2-6A (7-3 overall) and a share of the district title with Amarillo Tascosa and Midland Lee.
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PANTHERS TAKE DOWN T-BIRDS IN BI-DISTRICT
NOVEMBER 16th- The Permian Panthers advanced to the Area round of the Class 6A Division I playoffs with a 42-0 victory over the El Paso Coronado Thunderbirds.
MOJO got off to a quick start and never let off the gas. Taking the opening kick from their own 12 yard line, the Panthers put together an 11 play, 88 yard scoring drive. Justin Hammond and Ed Williams did most of the damage, with Williams capping the drive with a touchdown from two yards out. Carson Roberts made the first of his six PATs for a 7-0 lead. After a three-and-out from the MOJO defense, Hammond struck again for the Panthers with a 15 yard touchdown reception from Peyton Powell. After an interception by Christian Tschauner, Hammond would be a big factor in the next Permian score. Taking the ball on apparent toss sweep, Hammond instead pulled up and threw a halfback pass to Tyler Ramage from 24 yards out for the touchdown. The first period ended with a 21-0 lead for the Panthers.
While it was the offense that was hitting on all cylinders in the first quarter, the defense took control in the second. Chase Stell intercepted another T-Bird pass, returning it 40 yards to midfield. Ramage responded with a 29 yard gain on a screen pass from Powell. Hammond then finished the drive with his second score of the game with a three yard touchdown to give the Panthers a 28-0 lead.
Mason Sellers and Kaden Horrell would get into the act on the next MOJO possession. Sellers would haul in a 38 yard pass to get the Panthers into scoring range. Horrell finished the drive with an eight yard touchdown reception from Christian Rodriguez. MOJO went into the halftime break on top 35-0.
With the game well in hand, the Panthers substituted liberally throughout the second half. Dominique Nelson would get the final score of the night, capping an eight play, 47 yard drive with a one yard touchdown plunge. From there the teams traded possessions throughout the fourth quarter until the clock ticked down to zero. Final score Permian 42, El Paso Coronado 0.
Justin Hammond had a huge night for the Panthers, scoring touchdowns rushing and receiving as well as throwing for one score. Ed Williams rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Adam Martinez added 30 yards on five carries. Peyton Powell led all passers with 105 yards and a touchdown on six completions. Christian Rodriguez threw for 15 yards and a score. On the receiving end, Kaden Horrell had three receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown, with Tyler Ramage grabbing two for 53 yards and a score. Defensively, safety Chase Stell added to his team-leading total with one of two interceptions on the night. Christian Tschauner grabbed the other pick for the Panthers. Overall, the Black Attack defense held Coronado to 100 yards and recorded the first shutout of a Permian playoff opponent since the 1994 season.
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PERMIAN'S SEASON ENDS IN THE AREA ROUND
NOVEMBER 23rd- The Panthers postseason run ended in the Area round of the Class 6A playoffs after a 49-35 loss to the Arlington Lamar Vikings.
Early on it appeared the Panthers would be run off the field. The Vikings received the opening kick and promptly marched 78 yards in six plays, taking a 7-0 lead with a 22 yard touchdown pass to a wide-open receiver. Meanwhile with star quarterback Peyton Powell sidelined with a hamstring injury, the Panthers offense was slow to get out of the gate. A Permian fumble would give Lamar excellent field position at the 38 yard line, and it only took three plays for the Vikings to capitalize with a 30 yard touchdown run. Another Permian fumble at their own 16 yard line set up Lamar's third touchdown, giving the Vikings a 21-0 lead as the first quarter ended.
Permian would finally get on the board in the second quarter. A short punt by Lamar was returned to the 49 yard line by Chase Stell, and a 17 yard pass from Christian Rodriguez to Justin Hammond got the Panthers into the red zone. Hammond then finiahed the drive on the next play with a 15 yard touchdown run. Carson Roberts' PAT made the score 21-7 Lamar at the break.
After a slow first half, the Panthers would make it a ballgame in the second half. Matt Jones blocked a Vikings punt to give MOJO the ball at the 33 yard line. Mason Sellers gained 25 yards on a reverse, then Kaden Horrell finished the drive with a five yard touchdown run. The Roberts PAT made the score 21-14 Lamar.
The Vikings answered with a 76 yard drive to get back to a 14 point advantage. And that's when MOJO made the game interesting. On first down at the 25, Hammond burst up the middle for 67 yards on the first play of the drive. Hammond then finished the drive with an eight yard touchdown reception from Rodriguez. Then on the ensuing Lamar possession, senior linebacker Tanner Adams would intercept a pass and return it to the 36 yard line. Ed Williams ran for 17 yards on the first play, then Hammond got his third touchdown of the game on a 16 yard reception from Rodriguez. The PAT tied the game at 28-28 early in the fourth quarter.
Christian Tschauner would send the MOJO crowd into frenzy on the following Lamar possession. With the Vikings driving for another score, Tschauner picked off a pass at the three yard line and raced down the near sideline for a 97 yard touchdown return. The score would give MOJO their first lead of the game at 35-28.
The celebration would be short lived however, as Lamar collected themselves and put together a quick seven play drive to tie the game at 35-all. Lamar then drove a stake through the heart of the Panthers with two quick touchdowns to end the game. Final score Lamar 49, Permian 35.
The 2018 Permian Panthers ended the season with an 8-4 record, a District 2-6A co-championship, and a Bi-District playoff victory. With 10 players returning with starting experience, as well as JV teams with a combined record of 15-3-1, the future should be bright for the MOJO Nation in 2019.
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