GAME ARTICLES
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MOJO MAULS MESQUITE HORN JAGUARS
PANTHERS PICK OFF ABILENE COOPER
SEPTEMBER 24th- Permian overcame a slow start by scoring 34 unanswered points, and began the 2020 season with a 47-35 victory against Abilene Cooper Thursday at Ratliff Stadium.

The Cougars stunned the Panthers early in the first quarter with back-to-back touchdown passes. Cooper quarterback Aidan Thompson connected with Bryan Spotwood on the third play of the game for a 62 yard score down the right sideline. Then after forcing a Permian punt, the Cougars struck again quickly when Thompson found Alejandro Martinez on a crossing pattern that resulted in an 84 yard touchdown and a quick 14-0 lead just 3:45 into the game.

MOJO managed to turn things around with a 70 yard drive capped by Tristan Johnson’s touchdown run from one yard out. The PAT was blocked but the Panthers were on the board.

The Black Attack defense stepped up big on the next series. Amarion Garrett, making the move from offense to defense this season, made a leaping interception on the Cougars next possession and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown. Hayden Kidd's PAT made the score 14-13.

Permian would go in front for good on its next offensive possession when quarterback Harper Terry connected with Shy Stephens-Deary on a 41-yard touchdown pass. The Panthers led 20-14 heading into the second quarter.

The Cougars threw up another interception on their next series. MOJO's Bryce Woody made a beautiful break on the ball, returning it 30 yards for a touchdown. The Panthers had a 27-14 lead with 7:33 remaining in the first half.

On the ensuing Cooper possession a fumbled snap by Cooper's quarterback was scooped up by Garrett, who returned it 64 yards for his second defensive touchdown of the game with 3:55 left in the second.

Harper Terry ended the second quarter scoring onslaught with a 30 touchdown run. MOJO went into the break with a 41-21 lead.

Lucas Salazar got the lone touchdown for MOJO in the second half, taking a pitch around the left end and racing untouched into the endzone from 31 yards out. Final score Permian 47, Cooper 35.

Terran Limuel led Permian on the ground with 94 yards on eight carries. Harper Terry added 68 yards and a score. Terry also completed eight passes for 111 yards and a score. Shy Stephens-Deary was the leading receiver with 90 yards and a touchdown. Defensively MOJO got touchdowns from Amarian Garrett and Bryce Woody. The win gives the Panthers a 1-0 record.

LINKS:
MOJO 47, COOPER 35 VIDEO
MOJO 47, COOPER 35 OA ARTICLE
MOJO 47, COOPER 35 GAME REPLAY
OCTOBER 2nd- The Permian Panthers moved to 2-0 on the season on Friday, taking care of business in Mesquite with a 51-10 victory over the Horn Jaguars.

The Panthers made the long trip to the Metroplex looking to get off to a better start than it did last week against Abilene Cooper. MOJO did just that, dominating from the start and cruising to victory over the Jaguars at Hanby Stadium.

The Panthers took control early, marching down the field on a seven-play, 69-yard drive capped off by a 17-yard touchdown run from Harper Terry. Hayden Kidd's PAT gave MOJO a quick 7-0 lead.

After holding the Jaguars to a punt, Terry got things going through the air as he connected with Shy Stephens-Deary on a 67-yard screen pass to jump out to a 14-0 lead with 5:39 left in the first quarter.

The Black Attack defense also asserted itself early, forcing punts on Horn’s first two possessions and making a key fourth-down stop after the Jaguars moved the ball into Permian territory.

Permian took advantage quickly to start the second quarter as Terry connected with Terran Limuel on a 32-yard touchdown pass with 8:18 to go in the first half. Limuel would later add a spectacular 40-yard touchdown reception two possessions later to give Permian a 28-0 lead.

The only score that Mesquite Horn managed in the first half was a 35-yard field goal. MOJO ended the half by taking advantage of a Horn fumble deep in its own territory. The Panthers scored three plays later on a 3-yard touchdown run by Tristan Johnson. MOJO went into the break with a 35-3 lead.

Terry added a 15-yard rushing score in the second half, followed by a 13-yard touchdown run by Lucas Salazar with 8:44 to go in the contest. MOJO also tacked on a safety when Joaquin Gonzalez tackled Horn's quarterback in the end zone.

The Jaguars would score on a 19-yard touchdown pass with 3:28 remaining for the only touchdown of the game for Horn. The final buzzer sounded with MOJO on top 51-10.

Harper Terry led the way for the Panthers with 270 total yards and five touchdowns. Terran Limuel was the leading receiver for MOJO with 72 yards and two touchdowns. Shy Stephens-Deary added 67 yards and a score. Defensively Amarian Garrett grabbed his second interception of the season. The win gives Permian a 2-0 record.

LINKS:
MOJO 51, MESQUITE HORN 10 VIDEO
MOJO 51, MESQUITE HORN 10 ARTICLE
TURNOVERS TRIP UP MOJO VS TASCOSA
OCTOBER 9th- Too many turnovers proved to be too much to overcome for the Permian Panthers as they fell 40-18 to the Amarillo Tascosa Rebels on Friday.

MOJO threw four interceptions in the game, two of which were returned for touchdowns by Tascosa in the first half. A kickoff return for a touchdown when it appeared the Panthers had turned things around also proved disastrous in the loss.

Neither team was able to convert on their first drives and were forced to punt. Tascosa’s punt, however, pinned Permian inside the 10-yard line. The Rebels took advantage when the Rebels intercepted a Harper Terry pass out of the end zone and returned it two yards for a touchdown. Tascosa's Major Everhart added a run on the two-point conversion to make it 8-0.

The Rebels triple-option offense took control in the second quarter, moving the ball down the field on a 14-play, 80-yard drive. The drive was capped by a nine yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was missed, but the Rebels were up 14-0 with 5:47 left to go before halftime.

Tascosa added a second defensive score on the ensuing Permian drive when they returned another interception 60 yards for a score.

Permian finally got on the board when Harper Terry connected with Shy Stephens-Deary for a 25-yard touchdown pass at the end of the half. The Panthers went into the break down 21-6.

Tascosa added a 21-yard touchdown run on Tascosa’s opening drive of the second half to increase their lead. Stephens-Deary caught a 31-yard touchdown pass in the second half and Terry connected with Cade Tschauner on a nine yard touchdown pass on the final play of the third quarter.

Just when it looked like MOJO had grabbed the momentum, the Rebels delivered the knockout punch on the ensuing kick with Everhart’s 95-yard return for a touchdown. The game ended with Permian on the wrong end of a 40-18 score.

Terran Limuel led the Panthers with 71 yard on eight carries. Rodney Hall added 62 yards, and Harper Terry had 54. Shy Stephens-Deary was the leading receiver with 66 yards and two touchdowns. Cade Tschauner had two receptions and a touchdown. With the loss, the Panthers are 2-1 on the season.

LINKS:
TASCOSA 40, MOJO 18 VIDEO
TASCOSA 40, MOJO18 ARTICLE
NO MORE LEE!  MOJO WINS 55-44
OCTOBER 16th-Permian stunned Midland Lee with 29 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to beat the Rebels 55-44 in the District 2-6A opener for both teams at Ratliff Stadium.

MOJO quarterback Harper Terry sparked the big-play attack, rushing 10 times for 173 yards and four touchdowns. Terry also threw a pair of long TD passes, including a 70 yard strike to ShyStephens-Deary, that gave the Panthers the lead for good.

Permian got on the board first, as Terry threw a deep pass to Terran Limuel for a 33-yard touchdown reception on a third-and 15.

The Panthers had an opportunity to go ahead two scores, recovering a Lee fumble on the ensuing kickoff. But six plays later, Permian was unable to get off a 24-yard field goal attempt. Terry retrieved a bad snap but threw an incomplete pass toward the end zone after evading Rebel defenders.

The Rebels finally snapped the ball for the first time at the 3:50 mark of the first quarter, and turned the possession into points by scoring on a four yard run, tying the contest at 7-7.

On the ensuing kickoff, Limuel broke free on a 67 yard kickoff return. Permian cashed it in when Lucas Salazar took a pitch from Terry and scored on a 29 yard run. MOJO missed the PAT but led 13-7.

The Rebels responded with a 52-yard kickoff return of their own. Lee took advantage with a nine yard touchdown run, pushing Lee ahead 14-13 with 8:51 in the second.

Lee followed with a surprise onside kick attempt that sailed out of bounds before traveling ten yards. The Panthers capitalized on the short field, with Terry scoring on a 14 yard keeper to retake the lead with 6:39 remaining in the second.

Later in the second, Lee stopped Permian on a fourth-and-1 run play at the Panther 45-yard line. With a short field, the Rebels turned the stop into points with a 36-yard field goal. Permian went into halftime with a 20-17 advantage.

Coming out of the break the Rebels appeared to take control of the game, engineering a scoring drive with a go ahead 13-yard TD pass. Lee added to its lead on the following possession, capping a 49 yard drive with a two yard touchdown. The Rebels’ led 31-20 and seemed to have all the momentum.

Needing a spark, Terry provided the Panthers just that on its ensuing possession when he broke away for a 75-yard scoring run, cutting the deficit to 31-26.

The game turned into a track meet when the Rebels answered Terry’s score when they scored on a 69 yard run that lifted Lee to a 38-26 lead with 4:36 reamining in the third quarter.

The turning point happened on Lee’s next possession when Peyton Sharp blocked a punt to set the Panthers up with prime field position. Permian took advantage when Tristan Johnson dove ahead for a two yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 38-33 with 11:57 to play.

That was the start of a 29 point barrage in the fourth quarter for the Panthers, which included a 70 yard touchdown pass to Deary, and touchdown runs of 42 yards and 25 yards from Terry. Lee would add one more score but it was too little, too late. MOJO took home the 55-44 victory.

Senior quarterback Harper Terry led the way for MOJO with 282 total yards and accounted for six touchdowns. Tristan Johnson rushed for 69 yards and a score. Shy Stephens-Deary, Terran Limuel, and Lucas Salazar also scored for the Panthers. The win gives MOJO a 1-0 district mark (3-1 overall).

LINKS:
MOJO 55, MIDLAND LEE 44 VIDEO
MOJO 55, MIDLAND LEE 44 ARTICLE

MOJO MISSES OPPORTUNITIES IN ABILENE
OCTOBER 23rd- Abilene intercepted a potential game-winning pass late in the game as the Panthers fell 27-25 to the Eagles at Shotwell Stadium.

MOJO had multiple opportunities to hold on to their halftime lead over the Eagles. A pair of fourth quarter turnovers proved costly as Permian fumbled in its own territory with a chance to win the game.

When the Panthers did have the ball, they made the most of their chances early in the contest. It didn’t take long for Permian to get on the board as Shy Stephens-Deary scored on a 72 yard run on the Panthers’ first play from scrimmage.

A problem for Permian throughout the contest was getting the ball from Abilene, allowing the Eagles to execute their quick passing attack to perfection.

The Eagles got on the board on their second possession, with quarterback Abel Ramirez running it in from two yards out. The Eagles also got a pair of big plays to begin the second quarter as Ramirez connected with Jashari Houston for a 75 yard catch and run for another score.

MOJO responded with a pair of touchdowns on consecutive drives on a four yard run by Tristan Johnson and a one yard run by Harper Terry. The Panthers then executed a trick play for a score late in the half as Rodney Hall hit Cade Tschauner on a 19 yard touchdown pass right before halftime.

Abilene had a response for everything Permian threw at it however, as Ramirez connected with Nate Seballos for a 26 yard touchdown with 24 seconds left before halftime. The Panthers went into the break with a 25-21 lead.

The second half was all about the defensive effort from the Eagles as they shut out the Permian offense. Anthony Ramirez kicked a pair of field goals that proved to be the difference in the game.

The game-winning 31 yard field goal came with 8:25 left in the game and the two turnovers forced in the final quarter proved to be enough for the Abilene victory. The Panthers final drive ended on the Eagles seven yard line with an interception in the end zone. From there the Eagles were able to run out the clock to take the 27-25 victory.

Shy Stephens-Deary led all rushers with 80 yards and a touchdown. Harper Terry added 78 yards on the ground. Cade Tschauner was the leading receiver for Permian with five catches for 72 yards. The loss drops Permian to 1-1 in District 2-6A (3-2 overall).

LINKS:
ABILENE 27, MOJO 25 VIDEO
ABILENE 27, MOJO 25 ARTICLE
PANTHERS TAKE DOWN THE FRENSHIP TIGERS
OCTOBER 30th- The Permian Panthers dominated the final period of their District 2-6A contest with the Frenship Tigers to earn a 36-27 victory at Ratliff Stadium.

MOJO had an exciting start as Terran Limuel opened the game with a 98-yard kickoff return, taking the ball straight up the middle for a 7-0 lead just 12 seconds into the game.

The Tigers would answer quickly, putting together a nine play, 61-yard drive to tie the game at 7-7 midway though the first quarter. The Tigers added another touchdown and a field goal to take a 17-7 lead in the second quarter.

Meanwhile, Permian was struggling to get their offense going after Limuel’s quick strike as Frenship’s defensive front was able to apply pressure to Harper Terry and disrupt the running game. The Panthers didn’t get its initial first down in the game until midway through the second period.

That would come on MOJO's only extended drive of the half, with Permian cashing in on a 14-yard touchdown run on a reverse by Cade Tschauner with 1:15 remaining in the second quarter. The PAT was no good, and the Panthers went into the break down 17-13.

The beginning of the second half looked like a repeat of the first, with Frenship mounting a 53-yard drive to increase their lead to 24-13. But Permian would answer with another huge play, with Terry connecting with Shy Stephens-Deary on a 79-yard touchdown catch-and-run.

After holding the Tigers to a field goal the Panthers struck again. Terry passed to a wide-open Limuel running free up the seam for a 77 yard touchdown. The successful two point conversion tied the game at 27-27, and the momentun was clearly on MOJO's side.

After recovering a Frenship fumble the Panthers put the game away with an eight-play, 54-yard drive. Andy Castillo cashed it in from two yards out to finish the drive and give MOJO a 34-27 lead.

The Black Attack defense left no doubt on the ensuing Frenship possession, with DE Drake Womack sacking the Tiger's quarterback in the endzone for a safety with under a minute to play. From there the Panthers were able to run out the clock and take home the 36-27 victory.

Permian quarterback Harper Terry finished 6 of 8 passing for 185 yards and two touchdowns. Terry added 58 yards on the ground. Shy Staphens-Deary caught three balls for 114 yards, with Terran Limuel adding 74 yards on two receptions. Andy Castillo led the Panthers on the ground with 65 yards and a touchdown. The win gives MOJO a 2-1 record in District 2-6A (4-2 overall).

LINKS:
MOJO 36, FRENSHIP 27 VIDEO
MOJO 36, FRENSHIP 27 ARTICLE

MOJO ROLLS IN THE RUMBLE AT RATLIFF
NOVEMBER 6th- Senior wide receiver Shy Stephens-Deary set a new team record with five touchdown receptions in MOJO's 45-7 win against the Odessa Bronchos in District 2-6A action on Friday.

The five touchdowns beats the previous record of four, set by Robert Brown against Abilene Cooper in 1988 and Roy Williams against El Paso Irvin in 1998.

It didn’t take the MOJO long to get going after forcing the Bronchos to punt on the opening possession of the contest.

Harper Terry marched Permian 78 yards in seven plays for the first touchdown of the game, capping the drive with a 32-yard pass to Stephens-Deary. The PAT gave Permian a 7-0 lead.

After holding the Bronchos to another three-and-out, Terran Limuel took his turn to find the end zone. His 14-yard touchdown on a reverse came at the end of a six-play, 53-yard drive.

The teams would trade punts before Permian hit paydirt again on another Terry-to-Stephens-Deary connection. After a penalty pushed the ball back to the Panthers’ 21 yard line, Terry dropped back and hit Stephens-Deary in stride down the left hash mark for the 79-yard score. 21-0 Permian.

Odessa High’s best chance to score in the first half came after holding Permian to a three-and-out on the MOJO's next possession. The Bronchos moved the ball to the Permian 41 yard line. But the drive stalled as Odessa High was unable to convert on fourth down, giving the ball back to Permian. The Panthers took advantage three plays later when Terry hit Stephens-Deary on a 27 yard pass for his third score of the night. The Panther went into the break with a 28-0 lead.

The second half looked much like the first. Luke Salazar had a 59-yard run on the opening play of the half to get MOJO in scoring position. Two plays later, Terry hit Stephens-Deary from 17 yards out for his fourth touchdown of the game. The PAT gave Permian a 35-0 lead.

Odessa High’s lone score of the game came on their second possession of the second half. On a busted play the Bronchos' quarterback scrambled to his left before heaving up a prayer that was answered for a 35-yard touchdown.

Stephens-Deary got his record-breaking fifth touchdown on the Panthers' ensuing possession, taking a screen pass from Zach Wheeler and motoring 71 yards to paydirt. The PAT gave Permian a 42-7 lead as the third quarter ended.

MOJO would add a field goal late in the fourth quarter to end the scoring. The final horn sounded with Permian on top 45-7.

Shy Stephens-Deary had a career game with five catches for 226 yards and five touchdowns. Harper Terry passed for 170 yards, with Zach Wheeler adding 71. Terran Limuel led all rushers with 71 yards on seven carries. The win gives MOJO a 3-1 district mark (5-2 overall).

LINKS:
MOJO 45, ODESSA 7 VIDEO
MOJO 45, ODESSA 7 ARTICLE
PANTHERS POUND THE MIDLAND BULLDOGS
NOVEMBER 13th- MOJO put together a dominant performance to run away with a 42-14 victory against Midland High in District 2-6A action on Senior Night at Ratliff Stadium.

The game was never in doubt as the Panthers struck early with a 35 yard touchdown pass from Harper Terry to Shy tephens-Deary, his first of three in the game.

After holding the Bulldogs to a three-and-out,  Kayden Baze  blocked the punt to get great field position at the Midland three yard line. Terry scored MOJO's second touchdown on the next play. Permian was up 14-0 midway through the opening period.

In the second quarter Andy Castillo scored his first of two touchdowns on the evening, capping off a 75 yard drive with a four yard touchdown plunge.

Stephens-Deary took sole possession of the Permian regular-season touchdowns record in the second quarter, catching a screen pass and then outrunning the Bulldog defense for a 51-yard touchdown and a 28-0 lead with 7:21 remaining in the first half.

Midland High found the end zone on the ensuing drive, using a 38-yard pass followed by a 30-yard run to set up a first-and-goal at the Panthers’ four yard line. The Bulldogs scored on the next play to make the score 28-7 with 5:05 remaing before the break.

Castillo got his second score of the night on MOJO's next possession, capping a five-play, 77 yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. The Panthers had a commanding 35-7 lead going into halftime.

In the third quarter Terry and Stephens-Deary connected for the third time to finish off the scoring for the Panthers. Midland got its last score of the game in the fourth quarter on a long touchdown pass. From there Permian ran out the clock to secure the 42-14 victory.

With his three touchdown catches, Shy Stephens-Deary set a new Permian regular season receiving touchdowns record at 14. In the past two games Stephens-Deary has caught eight passes with all going for touchdowns. Rodney Hall led all rushers with 99 yards on the ground. Terran Limuel added 88 yards on eight carries. Harper Terry passed for 97 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 77 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Defensively Amarion Garrett grabbed an interception and blocked a punt, with Kayden Baze recovering the blocked punt. Gage Plymell recorded three quarterback sacks. The win gives MOJO a 4-1 district record (6-2 overall) and secured a playoff berth.

LINKS:
MOJO 42, MIDLAND 14 VIDEO
MOJO 42, MIDLAND 14 ARTICLE


BLACK CATS BUSHWACK CONCHO CATS
NOVEMBER 20th- Permian pulled away from San Angelo Central in the second half to come home with a 58-38 victory and the District 2-6A title.

After a scoreless first quarter the Panthers scored 17 points in the second to tie the game at halftime, and then took control with 41 points in the second half.

Shy Stephens-Deary caught three touchdown passes, tying Roy Williams’ single-season record of 17. Harper Terry threw two of those passes and rushed for three more touchdowns, and Andy Castillo ran for a pair of scores to fuel the offensive explosion.

The game started out as a defensive slugfest, with neither team able to reach the endzone on their opening possessions. It wasn’t until late in the first quarter when San Angelo Central found the end zone on a 13-yard touchdown pass. The extra point gave Central a 7-0 lead.

The Bobcats added to their advantage on their next possession with a 39-yard field to make it 10-0 with 10:12 remaining in the second quarter.

The Panthers finally got on the board with a five-play, 70-yard drive capped by a 19-yard touchdown pass from Terry to Stephens-Deary. The extra point was no good, leaving MOJO at a 10-6 deficit.

The Bobcats answered with a 49-yard touchdown pass to extend their lead to 17-6 with 6:48 remaining in the half.

The Panthers managed to drive down to the six yard line, but the drive would stall. Tate Terry kicked a 23-yard field goal to narrow Permian’s deficit to eight points.

MOJO caught a break when Central fumbled the ensuing kickoff. Permian recovered the ball and used a little trickery on the next play. Rodney Hall took a quick screen pass before pulling up and lofting the ball to a wide-open Stephens-Deary for a 32-yard touchdown. Terry’s run on the two-point conversion tied the game at 17-17 at the half.

The Panthers took advantage on their first drive of the second half when Terry capped a 67 yard drive with a two-yard run, giving MOJO its first lead of the night at 24-17.

Stephens-Deary hauled in a six-yard touchdown pass from Terry on the Panthers next possession as the Panthers extended its lead to 31-17 with 1:55 left in the period.

The Bobcats answered with a 73 yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass of 33 yards, making the score 31-24 at the end of the third quarter.

That was as close as the Bobcats would get. Terry rushed for his second score of the night, a one yard plunge on a quarterback keeper. Andy Castillo got into the act on their next possession, scoring from five yards out to give the Panthers a 45-24 lead with 7:07 remaining.

The Bobcats responded with another touchdown pass from 39 yards. But MOJO answered with Terry's third touchdown of the evening, this time from 15 yards. The PAT was blocked, but the Panthers had a commanding 51-31 lead with the clock winding down.

The Black Attack defense delivered the death blow on the following exchange. Bryce Woody stepped in front of a Bobcat pass and returned it down to the two yard line. Castillo punched it in on the next play, making the score 58-31 with 3:18 remaining.

Central got into the endzone one more time but it was too little, too late. MOJO recovered the ensuing onside kick and then ran out the clock. Final score Permian 58, San Angelo Central 38.

Harper Terry led all rushers with 129 yards and three touchdowns, and was 9-of-11 for 150 yards and two touchdowns. Rodney Hall added a touchdown pass. Shy Stephens-Deary had three touchdown receptions. Andy Castillo rushed for 62 yards and two scores. Bryce Woody and Jaydin Pruitt had inteceptions for the defense. The win gives MOJO a 5-1 league record and the District 2-6A title.

LINKS:
MOJO 58, CENTRAL 38 VIDEO
MOJO 58, CENTRAL 38 ARTICLE
MOJO 58, CENTRAL 38 GAME REPLAY
PANTHERS CRUISE PAST THE COUGARS
DECEMBER 11th- The Permian Panthers advanced to the Class 6A Division I Area round of the playoffs with their 37-26 victory over the El Paso Franklin Cougars on Friday.

MOJO scored 30 unanswered points in the second and third quarters to build a 37-14 lead going into the fourth quarter. That was enough to hold off a late rally by the Cougars.

Permian will play Southlake Carroll at 4:00pm December 18th at ACU's Wildcat Stadium in Abilene. The Dragons advanced with a 49-14 victory against the Haltom Buffaloes.

MOJO started off hot on offense, driving down to the redzone with long runs from Lucas Salazar and Shy Stephens-Deary. But Franklin stymied the drive with an interception on the three yard line, then proceeded to march 97 yards to get on the board. Franklin had an early 7-0 lead.

MOJO responded with a four-play, 57 yard drive capped by a 21 yard touchdown pass from Harper Terry to Stephens-Deary. The touchdown- Deary's 18th of the year- broke the Permian record for receiving touchdowns formerly held by Roy Williams. The PAT was no good, and the score was 7-6 Franklin in the second quarter.

The Black Attack defense set up the offense nicely on the next Cougar possession, as sophomore corner Jaydyn Pruitt picked off a Franklin pass and returned it to the 10 yard line. Terry pushed the ball across four plays later, and the successful two point conversion gave MOJO a 14-7 lead.

Franklin gave Permian another gift on the next series. Forced to punt, the Cougars' kicker bobbled the snap before punting the ball right into the Permian rushers. With first and 10 at the Franklin 13 yard line, it only took three plays for Andy Castillo to find the endzone to give MOJO a 20-7 lead with 3:24 remaining in the half.

The Panthers got tricky on their next possession, as Kayden Baze took a fake punt for 11 yards and a first down. Hayden Kidd added a 23 yard field goal to give MOJO a 23-7 lead going into the break.

The third quarter saw the teams trading scores. Harper Terry busted a 46 yard run up the middle, then capped the drive with a one yard touchdown plunge. Franklin answered with a long touchdown pass to make the score 30-14 with 5:48 remaining in the third. Permian ended the period with a 70 yard drive capped by Tristan Johnson's one yard touchdown. The third quarter ended with MOJO on top 37-14.

Franklin made the game interesting with a pair of quick scores in the final period. After a controverial touchdown reception where it appeared the receiver was clearly out of bounds, the Cougars recovered the ensuing onside kick. From there the Cougars put together a 47 yard scoring drive to pull to within 11 points at 37-26.

That would be as close as the Cougars would get, as Permian was able to take their final possession down the field and run out the clock. The game ended with MOJO kneeling on the ball to take home the 37-26 victory.

Harper Terry led the Panthers on the ground with 107 yards and two scores. Lucas Salazar added 44 yards, and Andy Castillo had 26 yards and a touchdown. Terry threw for 111 yards and a touchdown, and Zack Wheeler completed one pass for 23 yards. Shy Stephens-Deary was the leading receiver with five catches for 59 yards and a score. Defensively Jaydyn Pruitt grabbed an interception. The win gives MOJO an 8-2 record.

LINKS:
MOJO 37, FRANKLIN 26 VIDEO
MOJO 37, FRANKLIN 26 ARTICLE

PERMIAN'S SEASON ENDS IN ABILENE
DECEMBER 18th-  The Permian Panthers saw their 2020 season come to an end with a 38-7 loss to Southlake Carroll in the Area round of the Class 6A Division I playoffs Friday.

The Dragons (9-1) advanced to face Arlington Martin in the Regional quarterfinals at Globe Life Park on December 24th. The Panthers finished the season at 8-3.

Southlake Carroll came out firing on all cylinders and dominated the first half. Meanwhile the Panthers struggled throughout the first half, hampered by penalties.

The Dragons took advantage of their opening possession, taking the ball 68 in four plays and scoring when quarterback Hunter Holden connected with wide receiver RJ Maryland for a 22-yard touchdown and an early 7-0 lead.

The Panthers were forced to punt on their next possession and the Dragons wasted no time in getting to the end zone, with Brady Boyd scoring on a 52-yard reception from Holden, putting Southlake Carroll ahead 14-0 just 4:28 into the game.

Southlake Carroll would settle for a 26-yard field goal on their next possession with 3:29 on the clock, and the Dragons ended the first quarter with a 17-0 lead.

The Dragons continued their hot start in the second quarter with the Holden-to-Boyd connection working again, this time on a 34-yard touchdown pass to give Southlake Carroll a 24-0 lead.

The Panthers defense finally began to reverse the momentum, pinning the Dragons deep in their own territory and forcing a punt. Permian, however, was called for a roughing the punter penalty to keep Southlake Carroll on the field.

MOJO continued to pressure Holden and it paid off with an interception by Joaquin Gonzalez. But the Panthers couldn't capitalize on the short field when Hayden Kidd's field goal attempt went wide left.

The Dragons added another score before the end of the half when a pass to Boyd from 4 yards out increased the lead to 31-0 with 34 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

Allen scored on a 47-yard run on the Dragons’ first possession of the third quarter to increase their lead to 38-0. Permian finally got on the board with a touchdown from Lucas Salazar to avert the shutout. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter, and the game ended with Carroll on top 38-7.

The Panthers finished the 2020 season as 8-3 district champions and a Bi-District victory. With 14 starters returning, as well as reinforcements from the undefeated Junior Varsity Black and Freshman Black teams, the future looks very bright for the Permian Panthers. GO MOJO!

LINKS:
SOUTHLAKE CARROLL 38, MOJO 7 ARTICLE