2024 GAME ARTICLES
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PERMIAN GETS PAST PESKY PLANO WILDCATS
AUGUST 30th- The Permian Panthers (1-0) earned a hard-fought 13-10 victory over the Plano Wildcats in their season opener at Ratliff Stadium on Friday.
After an hour-long weather delay the visiting Wildcats got on the board first, settling for a 24-yard field goal after a big defensive stand by MOJO. The first quarter would end with Plano on top 3-0.
Permian answered early in the second period with a 29-yard run by Jakob Garcia down to the Plano four-yard line. Junior runningback Gavin Black cashed it in from there on the next play. The extra point try was no good, leaving the Panthers with a 6-3 lead with 11:45 remaining in the first half.
After a series of three-and-outs by both teams, the Wildcats would finally get into the endzone with 1:09 to play in the half. Plano took a 10-6 lead into the break.
The teams traded punts in the third quarter, until Gavin Black took a handoff 53 yards to paydirt for the Panthers. The extra point was good, and Permian had regained the lead at 13-10 as the third quarter ended.
Neither team could get much going offensively in the final stanza, and MOJO was able to run out the clock on their final possession. Final score Permian 13, Plano 10.
Gavin Black led the way for MOJO with 174 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. Jakob Garcia added 44 yards on the ground. Overall, the Panthers gained 267 yards of offense, while the defense limited Plano to 187 total yards. The win gives Permian a 1-0 record and their first over Plano going back to 1977.
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PERMIAN PREVAILS IN SUN CITY SHOOTOUT
SEPTEMBER 6th- The Permian Panthers are 2-0 after a thrilling 56-49 victory over the Eastlake Falcons in El Paso.
The hometown Falcons would get on the scoreboard first with a quick touchdown drive. Eastlake led 7-0 just three minutes into the contest.
MOJO answered immediately as Tyran Williams took the ensuing kickoff to the house from 90 yards. Jaden Stringer's PAT tied the score at 7-7.
Eastlake responded with a 75 yard drive to regain the lead at 14-7 with 6:46 remaining in the first quarter.
The Panthers would drive down the field on their next possession, only to throw an interception in the endzone. However the Falcon's celebration was short-lived when Caleb Cruz returned the favor with an interception on the ensuing play, giving MOJO great field position in Eastlake territory.
A pass from Jakob Garcia to Cayden Hernandez would get MOJO down to the one-yard line. Gavin Black bulled his way over the goal line on the next play to tie the game at 14-14 as the first quarter came to an end.
After a big defensive stand MOJO had a chance to take the lead. But the Falcons would get another interception in the endzone to kill the drive. This time the Falcons were able to march down to the endzone, regaining the lead at 21-14.
On the ensuing Permian possession, quarterback Jakob Garcia took off on a long run that resulted in a 46-yard touchdown as the second quarter was coming to a close. The teams went into the break tied at 21-21.
MOJO took the lead in the second half with a long touchdown run by Gavin Black. Stringer's PAT made the score 28-21 in favor of the Panthers.
Eastlake regained the advantage with back-to back scores in the third period. But the Panthers would respond with a touchdown run by John Paul Uranga. The third quarter ended with the teams tied once again at 35-35.
The Panthers got a big break on the following series when sophomore safety Aiden Medina recovered an Eastlake fumble at the 41-yard line. Garcia connected on a pass to Landon Robles in the endzone a few plays later to put Permian back on top 42-35.
The teams would trade scores for the rest of the final period. A Garcia touchdown pass to Luke Paradeaux gave the Panthers the final advantage with 00:34 remaining in the game. Linebacker Ian Rylee preserved the win with an interception on Eastlake's final effort to tie the game. Final score Permian 56, El Paso Eastlake 49.
Gavin Black led all rushers with 215 yards on 24 carries. Tyran Williams had a huge game with 215 total yards and a touchdown on a kick return. Jakob Garcia completed 12 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Caleb Cruz and Ian Rylee grabbed interceptions for the Panthers. Aiden Medina recovered a fumble.
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PERMIAN SPOILS ABILENE'S COMEBACK EFFORT
SEPTEMBER 6th- The Permian Panthers improved their record to 3-0 on the season with a 42-37 victory over the Abilene Eagles. MOJO thwarted an Abilene comeback attempt after jumping out to a three touchdown lead in the first half.
The Permian offense was impressive from the start, scoring on a 36-yard touchdown pass from Jakob Garcia to Landon Robles. Jaden Stringer's PAT gave MOJO a 7-0 lead just over a minute into the game.
The Eagles answered with a 33-yard touchdown run to TIE the score at 7-7 with 6:35 remaining in the first quarter.
That was the last time the score would be tied, as Gavin Black scored the first of his four touchdowns from 29 yards out. On their next series Black would hit paydirt again from eight yards out, giving MOJO a 21-7 advantage as the second quarter began.
Abilene responded with a 60-yard touchdown on a quarterback keeper. The successful PAT made the score 21-14 in favor of the Panthers.
Not to be outdone, Garcia connected with Tyran Williams on a quick slant pass that Williams turned into a 57-yard touchdown. Stringer's PAT made it 28-14 with 8:37 remaining in the half.
After forcing Abilene to punt on their next series, the Panthers took over on their own four yard line. Misfortune struck on the first snap as the Eagles tackled Garcia in the endzone, giving them a safety. The score was 28-16 with 4:37 remaining in the half.
Undaunted by the miscue, the Panthers made good on their next possession with a six-play, 81-yard scoring drive capped off by Black's one-yard run. The teams went into the break with MOJO on top 35-16.
In the third quarter the Eagles came alive, outscoring the Panthers 14-0 to pull to within five points. But just as it was looking like momentum had shifted to the visitor's side, Black busted up the near sideline on a 75-yard touchdown run. The Panthers were up 42-30 as the fourth period began.
Abilene would hit paydirt again to make it 42-37 with plenty of time remaining to take the lead. After blocking a Permian field goal try the Eagles put together a promising drive on their final possession, marching down to the MOJO 17 yard line. But their final pass on fourth down was broken up by Caleb Cruz, and the Panthers took over on downs. From there MOJO was able to run out the clock to secure the 42-37 victory.
Jakob Garcia was 16-20 for 314 yards and two touchdowns. Tyran Williams caught six passes for 103 yards and a touchdown, with Cayden Hernandez grabbibg four for 114 yards and a score. Gavin Black led MOJO on the ground with 22 totes for 198 yards and four touchdowns. For the defense, Jayson Cranfill led the Panthers with eight tackles. Roman Lueras grabbed an interception.
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MOJO HOLDS OFF REBEL ATTACK
SEPTEMBER 20th- The Permian Panthers overcame a 14-point third quarter deficit to defeat the upstart Tascosa Rebels 50-48 on Friday at Ratliff Stadium.
The start of the contest looked like a carbon copy of last year's 43-6 blowout victory over the Rebels, as Alexx Cruz took the opening kickoff 91 yards to paydirt. Jayden Lopez’s PAT gave MOJO a 7-0 lead just 12 seconds into the game.
Unlike last year's blowout game, Tascosa would not flinch. The normally run-heavy Rebels stunned the Permian defense with a 60-yard pass to a wide-open receiver. The successful PAT tied the game at 7-7 with 10:27 remaining in the first quarter.
MOJO responded with a five-play, 70 yard touchdown drive. Gavin Black scored on a 14-yard run to put Permian back on top 14-7.
Tascosa answered with another touchdown pass from 12 yards, knotting the score at 14-14 with 4:52 remaining in the first quarter.
Quarterback Jakob Garcia would take matters into his own hands on the next Permian possession, scoring on a 22-yard keeper. Lopez’s PAT made the score 21-14.
Tascosa answered with a 49-yard touchdown run as the second quarter began, giving the Rebels a chance to tie the game once again. But the two-point conversion pass would fall incomplete, and the Panthers stayed in front at 21-20.
Permian's next score was set up by a short punt that gave the Panthers excellent field position in Tascosa territory. Black’s six-yard run capped a six-play, 40-yard drive. MOJO led 28-20 midway through the second quarter.
Undaunted, The Rebels would score touchdowns on their next two series- including a successful two-poimt conversion- to take a 35-28 advantage into the locker room.
Tascosa would flip the script on the Panthers to begin the third quarter, returning the kickoff from deep in the endzone for a touchdown to stake a 42-28 second half lead.
MOJO responded with a nine-play, 72-yard scoring drive capped by Black's eight-yard touchdown run. Garcia hooked up with Landon Robles to get the two-point conversion to make the score 42-36 midway through the third period.
On the ensuing Tascosa series, an errant pitch was scooped up by Cameron Mattingly and returned to the nine-yard line. Black crashed over the goal line two plays later for his fourth touchdown of the evening. Caleb Jamison caught a pass for the two-point conversion, giving MOJO a 44-42 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Following an interception by Nata Cardoza, Permian would go on an eight-play, 43-yard scoring drive. Garcia scrambled out of the pocket before hitting John Paul Uranga for a seven-yard touchdown. The extra point kick was blocked, but the Permian advantage was extended to 50-42.
After being stifled for most of the second half, Tascosa finally caught a huge break when Permian muffed a punt return inside the 10-yard line. The Rebels scored on the next play, giving them a chance to tie the game. But the two-point conversion run would come up short, and MOJO stayed in front with 3:59 left in the game. From there the Panthers would run out the clock to preserve the 50-48 win.
Gavin Black led the way for MOJO with 256 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Jakob Garcis passed for 59 yards and a score, and rushed for one score. Alexx Cruz had a 91-yard kick return for a touchdown. Nata Cardoza grabbed an interception on defense. The win gives Permian a 4-0 record.
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SWEET HOMECOMING VS ALABAMA
SEPTEMBER 27th- Permian celebrated their 2024 Homecoming with a 41-6 victory over the Carver Rams from Birmingham, Alabama.
The visiting Rams stunned the Ratliff Stadium partisans on the third play of the game, scoring on a 75 yard catch-and-run pass. The extra point was no good, but the Rams held an early 6-0 lead.
MOJO's offense was slow to get out of the gate, as their first two series ended in a turnover on downs. They would finally get things going with a 10-play, 71-yard drive that ended with Gavin Black's one-yard touchdown run. Jayden Lopez kicked the PAT to give the Panthers a 7-6 lead that they would not relinquish.
After forcing a three-and-out by the Rams, Permian went on a five-play, 61-yard scoring drive highlighted by consecutive long runs by Black. The junior running back would finish the drive with a three-yard touchdown run. The Panthers went into the hlaftime break with a 14-6 lead.
The second half was all MOJO. After a good kickoff return out to the 40-yard line by Caleb Cruz, it only took three plays for the Panthers to reach the endzone again. Black busted loose for a 52-yard gain to get down to the Carver four-yard line. Jakob Garcia found Tyran Williams open in the endzone on the next play. The PAT was good, and just like that Permian had extended their advantage to 21-6.
The MOJO defense made its presence known on the next Rams possession. From the Permian 26-yard line Carver would try a halfback pass to the endzone. But Cameron Mattingly was there for the Panthers, grabbing his first of two interceptions to give Permian possession at the 20-yard line.
From there MOJO embarked on an eight-play, 80-yard drive capped off with a 38-yard touchdown pass from Garcia to Landon Robles. The PAT was no good, but MOJO's lead was now 27-6 midway through the third period.
The teams would trade turnovers on the next Permian possession. Garcia connected with Cayden Hernandez on a long pass, but a Carver defender managed to strip the ball and return it out to the 38-yard line. The MOJO defense returned the favor on the next play, with Mattingly getting his second interception of the evening. From there Black would rumble across the goal line from 10-yards out to increase the Permian lead to 34-6 as the third quarter was coming to a close.
John Paul Uranga ended the second-half onslaught with a 25-yard touchdown run to make the score 41-6 in favor of MOJO. Carver's final series ended with an interception by Izeyah McCoy, and from there Permian ran out the clock to take home the win.
Gavin Black led Permian with 186 yards and three scores on the ground. Jakob Garcia passed for 160 yards and two touchdowns. Landon Robles led the receivers with six catches for 86 yards and a touchdown. Defensively the Panthers got two interceptions by Cameron Mattingly and one by Izeyah McCoy. The win gives MOJO a 5-0 record.
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MOJO RUNS PAST RED HOSSES
OCTOBER 11th- The Permian Panthers scored a 50-26 victory over the Odessa High Bronchos in the Rumble at Ratliff on Friday.
The Panthers took an early lead and never trailed in the game. After forcing a three-and-out and a punt on Odessa's first possession, Permian would score a safety when the ball was snapped over the Broncho punter's head. Then on the ensuing kickoff, Tyran Williams would take the ball to the house from 80 yards. Permian led 9-0 before they ever snapped the ball on offense.
The Bronchos got it together on their next series, scoring on a 22-yard touchdown pass. The successful PAT made the score 9-7 Permian.
MOJO answered with a 62-yard run by Gavin Black down to the three-yard line. Black would rumble into the endzone on the next play, giving the Panthers a 16-7 lead with 5:59 left in the first quarter.
The MOJO defense rose up on the following Odessa possession. Cameron Mattingly got his third interception of the year to set the Panthers up on their own 27-yard line. Black would score on another short touchdown run a few plays later, giving Permian a 22-7 second quarter lead.
The Bronchos responded with two touchdown drives in the second quarter to pull to within two points. They would attempt a two-point conversion to tie the game after the second score, but the Permian defense sacked the quarterback to hold them out of the endzone. MOJO went into the break with a narrow 22-20 lead.
The Panthers took command in the second half. After a short punt by the Bronchos out to the 28-yard line, it only took five plays for the Panthers to hit paydirt. Black got his third touchdown of the game to extend Permian's lead to 29-20 with 5:54 remaining in the third.
The good fortune continued for MOJO when the Bronchos muffed the ensuing kickoff, with Andy McCrary recovering the ball for Permian on the Odessa 22-yard line. From there it only took four plays to cash in the gift with another touchdown run by Black, and Permian's advantage was 36-20 with 4:02 remaining in the third period.
The Bronchos would make the score 36-26 with a touchdown pass as the third quarter came to an end. But that was as close as they would get, as MOJO answered less than a minute later with a 44-yard touchdown pass from Jakob Garcia to Landon Robles. On the next Permian possession Black scored his fifth touchdown of the evening to put a final nail in the coffin. The contest ended with Permian on top 50-26.
Gavin Black led all rushers with 223 yards on 24 carries, and tied the Permian record for rushing touchdowns in a single game with five. John Paul Uranga added 94 rushing yards on 12 carries. Landon Robles hauled in a 44-yard pass for a touchdown. Tyran Williams scored on an 80-yard kickoff return. The victory gives Permian a 1-0 record in District 2-6A (6-0 overall).
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