2023 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.
LINKS:
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
DOWN IS UP AT CROSSTOWN SHOWDOWN
OCTOBER 6th- The Permian Panthers dropped their District 2-6A opener on Friday, losing to Odessa High 49-42 in overtime.
On the second play, Odessa hit paydirt on a slant pass that turned into an 80-yard touchdown. Less than a minute into the game Odessa took an early 7-0 lead.
Permian took over and quickly faced a fourth down and two. Rather than punt, the Panthers elected to go for it. The decision paid off as Juzstyce Lara converted with an 18-yard carry to get past midfield and continue the drive.
Jacob Garcia would connect with Isaiah Welton two plays later to get Permian into scoring position. Welton would score a few plays later on an 8-yard reception. Jacob Franco's PAT tied the game at 7-7 with 5:02 left in the quarter.
After the MOJO defense forced a turnover on downs, Permian once again decided to roll the dice facing fourth and four at the OHS 44. The call paid off again as Murphy hauled in a 44-yard touchdown pass from Isaac Herrera, and the Panthers took a 14-7 lead with three seconds remaining in the first quarter.
The Bronchos would fumble the ball on the ensuing kickoff return, giving the Panthers great field position at the OHS 27 yard line to begin the second quarter.
MOJO made Odessa pay as Lara found the end zone on a 27-yard touchdown run, and just like that the Panthers had a 21-7 lead with 11:47 left in the second quarter.
OHS received the kick and quickly worked the ball into Permian territory, scoring on a three-yard touchdown run to bring the Bronchos to a 21-14 score with 9:41 left.
The Panthers had another quick answer as Lara busted loose on a long run. Garcia hooked up with Luke Paradeaux for a 12-yard touchdown pass to make the score 28-14 Permian with 9:11 remaining before the half.
Odessa responded on the next drive with a 23-yard touchdown pass as the Bronchos again chipped away at the deficit, to trail 28-21 midway through the second quarter.
The Bronchos would threaten again as the first half was winding down. After getting down to the Permian seven yard line with two seconds left on the clock, the Bronchos decided to go for the touchdown. However, the Permian defense held them out of the endzone, and the Panthers ended the first half with a 28-21 lead.
Receiving the second half kick, MOJO had a chance to get back to a two touchdown lead, as Ben Saldivar busted loose for an apparent touchdown run. But the Broncho defender punched the ball out as Saldivar crossed the goal line, sending the ball out of the back of the endzone for a touchback.
Early in the fourth period and facing fourth and 26, the Panthers kept the offense on the field once agian. And once again the decision paid off as Garcia found Gage Murphy wide open on a 32-yard touchdown pass, and MOJO took a 35-21 lead.
Odessa responded with a controversial 69-yard score. On the play it appeared the Broncho receiver was clearly down, but he sprung up off the turf and continued to run to the endzone. After a brief conference the officials awarded the touchdown. The Bronchos missed the PAT, making the score 35-27 with 10:32 remaining.
The Panthers decided to go for it on fourth down once again but this time the Bronchos finally held, and the team turned the ball over on their own 30 with 8:13 remaining.
The Bronchos capitalized, scoring on 10-yard pass. Odessa High would then convert the two-point conversion to tie the game with 6:46 left.
Permian had an answer as Lara busted loose for a 52-yard touchdown run, putting the Panthers back in front 42-35, with 4:18 remaining.
With time winding down, Odessa drove the ball down to the Permian nine yard line. The Bronchos would score with nine seconds to go to tie the game at 42-42 and send the contest into overtime.
Permian began overtime with possession but fumbled on their first play. The Bronchos took over and drove the ball into the end zone with an eight-yard run. Final score Odessa 49, Permian 42. With the loss Permian is 0-1 in District 2-6A (3-3 overall).
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OCTOBER 13th- MOJO's Black Cats stunned the Legacy Rebels on Friday the 13th, scoring a late touchdown and two-point conversion to win 32-31 in Midland.
Permian got off to a good start on their opening drive with a three-yard touchdown run from Juzstyce Lara. The extra point try was blocked, but Permian had a 6-0 lead with 9:09 remaining in the first period.
Legacy's answer came through the air on a 39 yard scoring strike. Their PAT was good, giving the Rebels a 7-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Rebels would hit paydirt again halfway through the second quarter with another touchdown pass, this one from 22 yards out. A 35 yard field goal with 2:34 remaining before the break would extend Legacy's lead to 17-6 as the teams went into halftime.
After a relatively quiet first half, MOJO would come alive in the second. Parker Haynes scooped up a loose Rebel's fumble and took it the house from 54 yards. The two-point attempt was no good, but Permian was back in the game at 17-12.
Legacy answered with a 10-yard scoring pass to increase their advantage to 24-12 with 4:50 remaining in the third period.
The Panthers responded with another long drive that was capped by Lara's four-yard touchdown run. The third quarter ended with Permian down 24-18.
MOJO Magic ruled the final period. After the Black Attack defense held the Rebels to a turnover on downs, the Panthers tied the game at 24-24 with an eight-yard touchdown pass from Jakob Garcia to Isaiah Welton.
The Rebels answered with a five-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by an eight-yard touchdown run, making the score 31-24 Legacy with 9:05 remaining in the contest.
From there MOJO would play bully ball, feeding the rock to the workhorse Lara on one punishing run after another. The senior running back capped the 19-play, 89-yard drive on a one-yard touchdown plunge with only 10 seconds remaining, leaving the Panthers down by one point and setting up the heart-stopping finish.
Choosing to go for two points and the win, Coach Ellison and crew would dial up the perfect play. Garcia rolled to his right before wheeling around and throwing back to his left to a wide-open Gage Murphy in the endzone. The successful two-point play made the score Permian 32, Legacy 31.
After the ensuing kickoff the Rebels had a chance for one more play. But their Hail Mary pass downfield would fall incomplete, and the MOJO faithful went wild as the clock wound down to zero. Final score Permian 32, Midland Legacy 31.
Juzstyce Lara ended the evening with 153 yards and three scores on 23 carries. Jakob Garcia completed eight passes for 143 yards and a touchdown. For the defense, Parker Haynes scored on a 54-yard fumble return. The win gives the Panthers a 1-1 record in District 2-6A (4-3 overall).
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MOJO MAGIC PREVAILS IN MIDLAND
OCTOBER 20th- The Permian Panthers fell to 1-2 in the District 2-6A standings after a 46-44 loss to the Frenship Tigers at Ratliff Stadium on Friday.
The Tigers received the opening kick and wasted no time getting on the board with two first quarter touchdowns and a 14-0 lead.
Permian got off the mat with a 13 play, 99-yard drive in the second quarter, highlighted by a 51-yard run by Juzstyce Lara. The senior captain capped the drive with a short touchdown run three plays later to make the score 14-7 Frenship.
The Tigers struck back quickly, scoring on a 70 yard pass on the first snap of the drive. The PAT made the score Frenship 21, Permian 7 with 1:32 remaining in the half.
MOJO would answer right back when Isaac Herrera took an option pitch to the house from 64 yards out to pull the Panthers to within seven points at 21-14.
Frenship went right back to work, scoring on another long touchdown pass to make the score 28-14 with :44 seconds remaining in the half.
But Permian wasn't finished, as Cayden Hernadez took a pitch from Jakob Garcia before passing to Gavin Black in the endzone. The successful two-point conversion made the score Frenship 28, Permian 22 going into the break.
The Panthers would receive the second half kick and put together a 69 yard scoring drive capped by Garcia's pass to Isaiah Welton. Jacob Franco's PAT gave MOJO their first lead of the game at 29-28.
The MOJO defense finally got a stop on the ensuing Frenship possession. But the opportunity would be wasted when Permian fumbled the punt return, giving Frenship new life on the 27 yard line. The Tigers took advantage with a touchdown two plays later, retaking the lead at 35-29 midway through the third quarter.
The Panthers put together a 10-play, 70-yard drive with Lara getting the touchdown from 25 yards out. MOJO was back on top 36-35 as the third quarter came to an end.
Frenship would retake the lead early in the fourth period on a 26 yard touchdown pass. A two-point conversion gave the Tigers a 43-36 lead.
Juzstyce Lara got his third touchdown of the game Permian's ensuing possession, busting through the middle of the Frenship defense and rambling into the endzone from 21 yards out. Garcia passed to Jordan Strange for the two-point conversion, and MOJO was back on top 44-43 with 5:14 remaining in the game.
The Tigers drove down into scoring position before the Permian defense stiffened, forcing a Frenship field goal attempt. The kick sailed through uprights, giving Frenship a 46-44 lead with a little over two minutes remaining.
The Panthers had one more chance to get into scoring position. But the drive would eventually stall, and a final fourth-down pass attempt would fall incomplete. Final score Frenship 46, Permian 44.
Juzstyce Lara ended the game with 223 yards and three touchdowns on 36 carries. Lara now has 1,148 yards on the season. Isaac Herrera added 83 yards and a score on three carries. Jakob Garcia completed seven passes for 60 yards and a touchdown. The loss drops Permian to 1-2 in District 2-6A (4-4 overall)
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MOJO FALLS ON LATE FIELD GOAL VS FRENSHIP
OCTOBER 27th- The Permian Panthers stayed in the District 2-6A playoff race with a dominating 42-14 victory over San Angelo Central at Ratliff Stadium on Friday.
Permian would receive the opening kickoff and immediately go to work. On the second play of the game, Juzstyce Lara busted up the middle of the Bobcat defense and raced down the field for a 51 yard touchdown. Jacob Franco's PAT gave Permian a 7-0 lead with just 55 seconds gone off the clock.
After holding Central to a turnover on downs, the Panthers struck again quickly. Noah Adams grabbed a screen pass from Jakob Franco and took it to the house from 77 yards. In only five plays on offense MOJO was up 14-0.
Permian's good fortune continued on the ensuing kickoff. A fumbled fair catch was recovered by the Panthers, giving MOJO possession of the ball in Bobcat territory. Lara had his second big run of the game to get the ball inside the Central five-yard line. The senior then capped the drive two plays later with a one-yard touchdown run. Midway through the first period found MOJO on top 21-0.
Central’s offense finally got things going as the first quarter came to an end. The Bobcats used their quick passing game to move the ball down the field to the Permian 10-yard line. Three plays later, the Bobcats faced a fourth and goal at Permian's three-yard line. But a bad snap resulted in a seven-yard loss, and the Panthers forced the turnover on downs as time expired in the 1st quarter.
The Panthers would take the momentum from the first quarter into the second. Jakob Garcia hit a wide-open Benjamin Saldivar in stride for a 59-yard touchdown. Permian was in command 28-0 early in 2nd period.
Central would finally find the end zone on the ensuing possession. The Bobcats drove the ball 75 yards down the field, scoring on a 15-yard touchdown pass. The Bobcats found the endzone again on their next possession, scoring on a 32-yard touchdown pass. The teams went into the break with MOJO holding a 28-14 lead.
The Bobcats received the second half kick, but the momentum they had gained at the end of the second quarter was firmly back on the Black side. After forcing a quick three-and-out the Panthers would go on one of their patented time-consuming drives. Lara scored his third touchdown of the contest to cap an 11-play, 75 yard drive, giving MOJO a 35-14 third-quarter advantage.
Lara got his fourth score of the night early in the final period, capping a 65-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. The game ended with a 42-14 victory for MOJO.
Juzstyce Lara ended the contest with 151 yards and four touchdowns on 22 carries. QB Jakob Garcia completed nine passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns. Noah Adams was the leading receiver with two catches for 83 yards and a score. On defense, Felix Armendariz and Jayson Cranfill recovered fumbles. The win gives MOJO a 2-2 record in District 2-6A (5-4 overall).
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MOJO'S BLACK CATS BASH THE BOBCATS
NOVEMBER 3rd- The Permian Panthers punched their ticket to the 6A state playoffs with a 21-14 victory over the Midland Bulldogs at Astound Broadband Stadium.
The Panthers took control of the game early, opening the game with a 13-play, 69-yard drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown run by Juzstyce Lara. Jacob Franco's PAT gave Permian a 7-0 first quarter lead.
On the ensuing kickoff the Bulldogs got 47-yard kickoff return to set them up at the Permian 33-yard line. But the MOJO defense rose up to stifle the drive at the 21, forcing a 38-yard field goal attempt by the Bulldogs. However the snap was bobbled, forcing the holder to pick up the ball and try to run for a first down. The Panthers stopped him after only a one-yard gain to force a turnover on downs.
MOJO took advantage of the stop as Lara busted up the middle of the Midland defense for a 60-yard gain. Three plays later, Jakob Garcia found Luke Paradeux for a 10-yard touchdown pass. Permian held a 14-0 lead as time expired in the first quarter.
The Black Attack defense would continue to put the clamps on the Bulldogs potent rushing attack in the second quarter. MOJO took their 14-0 lead into halftime.
The Bulldogs received the second-half kick and immediately got a spark to start the third quarter, scoring on a 50-yard touchdown pass. The successful PAT made the score 14-7 Permian with 9:30 remaining in the third.
The Panthers drove down the field on the ensuing drive, getting down to the one-yard line. But the Bulldog defense came up with an impressive goal-line stand, forcing a turnover on downs.
Just when it appeared the Bulldogs had grabbed the momentum in the game Permian grabbed it right back, forcing a fumble at the 37-yard line.
MOJO capitalized on the gift when they drove down the field, capping off the drive with a 1-yard TD run by Lara to make the score 21-14 in Permian's favor.
The Bulldogs did not go quietly, cutting the lead to 21-14 on a six-yard touchdown run with 4:37 to play.
Midland would get one more chance to tie the game after forcing Permian to punt, but the MOJO defense rose up one more time. Bryan Pry busted through the Bulldog's line to sack the quarterback on third down. A fourth down pass by the Bulldogs was broken up by Caleb Cruz, and the celebration began.
From there the Panthers simply had to kneel in Victory formation as the game clock struck zero. Final score Permian 21, Midland 14.
Juzstyce Lara once again led Permian with 164 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Jakob Garcia completed nine passes for 135 yards and a touchdown pass to Luke Paradeaux. Defensively, the Panthers held the high-powered Midland rushing attack to 122 yards in the game.
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MOJO BEATS MIDLAND TO MOVE ON TO THE PLAYOFFS
MOJO CONQUERS THE PEBBLE HILLS SPARTANS
NOVEMBER 10th- The Permian Panthers advanced past the bi-district round of the Class 6A Division I playoffs with a 26-13 win over El Paso Pebble Hills on Friday.
Permian took control of the game early. Ben Saldivar got things going on the opening kick, returning the ball to the Spartans 38 yard line. Juzstyce Lara scored from one yard out a few plays later to give MOJO a 7-0 lead with 8:13 left in the openng period.
Disaster struck the Spartans on their first offensive play when Brandon Garcia picked off a pass giving MOJO possession at the Pebble Hills 48. However the drive would eventually stall, and the Panthers were forced to punt.
Back-to-back penalties against the Panther defense aided the Pebble Hills offense, giving them the ball just outside of the end zone with first down. The Spartans scored on a 16-yard touchdown reception to tie the score at 7-7.
Another great kick return by Saldivar set up the Panthers at the Pebble Hills 48-yard line. MOJO scored a few plays later on a seven-yard pass from Jakob Garcia to Isaiah Welton. With 11:56 left in the second quarter Permian was back on top 14-7.
The Pebble Hills offense would try to answer on their next possession, but a fourth down conversion attempt was stopped by the Permian defense. The Panthers would take over at the Spartans’ 40 yard line.
Permian extended their lead on a four-yard touchdown run by Lara. The PAT was no good, but MOJO's lead was extended to 20-7 going into halftime.
Pebble Hills would receive the kick to begin the second half, but the Black Attack defense continued to frustrate the Spartans. On third and long Sebastion Sanchez and Bryan Pry teamed up to sack the quarterback and force a punt.
Permian took over at their own 28-yard line and proceeded to go on time-consuming 72 yard scoring drive that consumed most of the third quarter clock. A one-yard run by Uriel Montoya capped the drive with 1:42 remaining in the third period. A two-point conversion attempt failed, but MOJO was in command by a score of 26-7.
The Spartans finally put together a scoring drive early in the fourth quarter, scoring on a four-yard touchdown run. Their extra point was no good, and Permian remained in the lead at 26-13 with 7:48 left in the game.
Pebble Hills would recover the ensuing kickoff, giving them possession on the Permian 44 yard line. But as they had done all night the MOJO defense rose up to stymie the Spartans' drive, forcing a turn over on downs at the Permian 21 yard line. From there the Panthers were able to run the ball and drain the clock to bring home the win. Final score Permian 26, Pebble Hills 13.
Juzstyce Lara led the way for the Panthers with 221 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Jakob Garcia completed four passes for 25 yards and a score. Isaiah Welton was the recipient of the touchdown pass. Defensively, Braden Garcia grabbed two interceptions, and Caleb Jamison added a pick as well. Overall, the MOJO defense held Pebble Hills to 174 total yards.
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NOVEMBER 17th- Permian saw their season end in the Area round of the playoffs with s 63-10 loss to the state-ranked North Crowley Panthers.
Coming into the game undefeated at 11-0, North Crowley showed why they are ranked 6th in the Associated Press 6A poll, scoring early and often when they had the ball.
North Crowley got on the board first with a 27 yard touchdown pass. With 5:31 to go in the first quarter North Crowley had a 7-0 lead.
Permian would answer with a long drive down to the North Crowley four-yard line before settling for a Jacob Franco field goal, making it 7-3 in the second period.
North Crowley added touchdown runs of 16 and two yards to go into the halftime break with a 21-3 advantage.
North Crowley would explode for 28 points in the third quarter to put the game out of reach. Permian finally found the endzone when Isaac Herrera connectd with Gage Murphy on a 47 yard halfback pass. The third quarter ended with North Crowley on top by a score of 49-10.
North Crowley would add insult to injury with two more scores in the final frame. The game ended with North Crowley advancing to the third round of the Class 6A Divison I playoffs with a 63-10 victory.
Permian ends the 2023 season as 7-5 Area finalists. Looking ahead to next season the Panthers return 15 underclassmen that started or received signifcant playing time.
NEXT UP- The Panthers will hold their 2023 Football Banquet on January 27th, 2024 at the MCM Grande Fun Dome. More details TBA.
MOJO'S PLAYOFF RUN ENDS IN THE AREA ROUND
