THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Permian High School Athletics

Though a majority of the first-team offense and defense never took a snap, it didn’t stop the rest of the Permian football team from putting on a show at the annual Black-White Spring Game. One of those first-teamers to play from start to finish was 6-foot-5 freshman Nakavieon White. The wide receiver finished with five catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns — which included the game-winning score from 23 yards out with 24 seconds left in the contest — as the Black Team picked up a 26-21 victory over the White Team on Thursday at Ratliff Stadium. “We executed well offensively and we played hard on both sides of the ball,” Permian head coach Blake Feldt said. “It was a great scrimmage. It was the best scrimmage we had all spring and I was really proud of the younger guys.” White, who opened spring practice with the first-team offense, received a boost of confidence after he grabbed a 52-yard pass from freshman quarterback Easton Hernandez on a 4th and 14 from the Black Team’s 36-yard line. Hernandez connected with White three plays later for an 18-yard score. The Black Team cut its deficit to 21-13 with 4:58 left in the fourth quarter. “At the beginning of the game, I was a little nervous, but when the game started picking up I got used to it and I just started playing my game,” White said. “I feel like the quarterbacks trust me to get the ball out of the air. Every day in practice, (coaches) tell me to get it at the highest point and that’s what I did today and I caught a couple touchdowns.” The White Team supplied the first touchdown of the second half when freshman running back Mark Samaniego scored on an 18-yard carry to cap an 11-play drive that lasted more than seven minutes. The White Team held a 21-7 lead early in the third quarter, but the Black Team answered with three straight touchdowns. The Black Team’s rally was bookended by the two catches from White. Sandwiched between the two touchdown catches was a 63-yard rushing score from Hernandez. “Those are both young guys and it took them a little while to get going, but they stepped up big time,” Permian first-team quarterback Steve Steen said about Hernandez and White Team sophomore quarterback Christian Rodriguez. “Easton made really good plays at the end and showed a lot of his potential running it and throwing it. Christian was making plays on the ground and through the air. That’s what you need in this offense is someone who can make plays running and throwing the ball.” Permian’s offenses racked up a total of 582 yards — 309 rushing and 273 passing. The Panthers experienced some big-play ability with 10 plays resulting 20 yards or more. “I felt like both teams played really well,” White said. “We just had a good game.” For the two Permian quarterbacks, Hernandez went 9 of 14 for 177 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, while Rodriguez finished 9 of 17 for 96 yards with one score and one interception. Hernandez completed his final five passes and six of seven in the second half. Both quarterbacks showed their ability to run. Hernandez had six carries for 92 yards and one touchdown, while Rodriguez supplied 65 yards and one score on seven carries. Though Hernandez and Rodriguez each found success, the Black and White Teams’ defense kept both in check throughout the contest. Zane Murphy and Christian LaChance of the White Team and the Black Team’s Zacimbricc White each had an interception. The Black Team also collected three sacks. With spring practice concluded, Feldt said it will be important for the players to continue to work throughout the summer in preparation for fall practice, which begins Aug. 14. “We had a phenomenal offseason,” Feldt said. “Most people probably can’t see it from the stands, but we look like a totally different football team than we did a year ago. We are bigger and stronger and we just have a lot better football team. “The work is just starting, even though we put in so much work since our last game in November. If we don’t have a good summer, we are back where we started last year. We have to have a phenomenal summer. Knowing these guys with their commitment and work ethic, I know we will.”

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Permian High School Athletics

FRESHMAN HELPS BLACK TOP WHITE IN SPRING GAME

ROYAL MCGREGOR

Odessa American | 5/18/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Jacob Ford