Throughout its final drive, the Permian football team was setting up for one big strike.

That decision was a play-action pass in which Steve Steen connected with Justin Hammond for a 23-yard game-winning touchdown.

Permian capped a strong performance to complete the late fourth-quarter rally for a 28-24 victory over Austin Vandegrift in each team’s season opener on Friday at Ratliff Stadium.

“That entire drive was coming down to that one play,” Steen said about the game-winning touchdown throw. “It was a play-action pass where we can get everyone running forward thinking it was a run and then all I have to do is go and let Justin make a play on the ball.”

On the first 10 plays of the final drive, the Panthers amassed 52 yards on the ground.

Hammond knew the linebackers and defensive back would bite on the play-action pass, which left the junior slot back wide open on the sideline with a clear path to the end zone. That game-winning touchdown was Hammond’s lone catch of the contest.

“After the coaches called the play, I told Steve to look at me, because I’m getting it in,” Hammond said. “When (Steen) threw it to me, I just looked the ball in and I saw the end zone and that’s all I needed to see to get it in.”

Despite coming away with a victory in its season opener, Permian (1-0) was far from perfect.

The Panthers gave up three fumbles, which Vandegrift (0-1) proceeded to turn into three touchdowns. Permian committed a total of five fumbles, but recovered two of them.

Permian head coach Blake Feldt said turnovers are unacceptable.

“We have to clean things up and I don’t know a better way to put it than that,” Feldt said. “Our meshes aren’t where they need to be. We put the ball on the ground.

“If you put the ball on the ground one time, that’s one time too many. To be a big-time, great football team which we think we can be, we can’t turn the ball over.”

Though the Panthers committed three turnovers, the Panthers’ defense held strong on multiple occasions when the Vipers didn’t have short field position.

Permian allowed a total of 29 yards on 22 carries. Preston Ellison created havoc for the Vipers throughout the contest with a blocked punt in the first quarter and a tackle against quarterback Justin Moore on 4-and-12 situation in the final seconds of the fourth to help secure the victory.

“Being a captain this year, I try to set an example for how I play,” Ellison said. “I feel like if I’m playing with high intensity then all my other defensive peers are going to play with me at that intensity. That’s what they did and I’m very proud about that.”

However, there’s one defensive area Feldt knows the Panthers have to clean up — coverage in the secondary.
Vandegrift went 13 of 30 for 243 yards and three touchdowns — which included a 59-yard flea flicker from Peyton Ausley to Reese Watson for a go-ahead score in the fourth quarter. Moore finished 12 of 29 for 184 yards and two touchdowns.

“We have do a better job on the edges, but at the same time, I thought we played really good defensively,” Feldt said.
The Panthers jumped out to a 14-0 lead after Steen and junior running back Ed Williams each scored touchdowns from two yards out. Williams lead all rushers with 148 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Steen finished 5 of 9 passing for 77 yards and one score. He also had 16 carries for 55 yards and one touchdown.

Vandegrift would score the next 21 points to take a 21-14 lead after the flea flicker touchdown. Permian tied the game — 21-21 — with a 30-yard touchdown on fourth down from Williams early in the fourth quarter. Alex Stadhaus gave the Vipers a 24-21 advantage after a 28-yard field goal, but the Panthers put together their game-winning 11-play drive for the victory.

“One thing that we showed this crowd tonight is that we are going to fight,” Steen said. “It wasn’t the home opener that you want, but it was a great home opener.

“At the end of the day, we got the win and we are going into the next week 1-0 and that’s all you can ask for.”
The Panthers continue their season hosting El Paso Franklin next Friday at Ratliff Stadium. El Paso Franklin defeated Midland High 48-22 on Friday.

“We have to get better and if you aren’t getting better, you are getting worse,” Feldt said. “We got to continue to improve and we have to continue to work hard. From the first game to the second game, you have to make great strides. We are going to work our tails off to do it.”
