EL PASO In the blink of an eye, Keatyn Armstrong gave the Permian’s defense a much-needed boost of confidence.

Prior to his first career interception, El Paso Eastwood quarterback Chris Castaneda carved up Permian’s secondary for 12 straight completions — which included three first-half touchdowns — and helped the Troopers hold a 20-14 lead at halftime.

Two plays after Armstrong returned the interception 44 yards to the El Paso Eastwood 41-yard line, Brother Miller scored the go-ahead touchdown and Permian finished the contest with a 49-27 victory in a nondistrict game on Friday at Trooper Stadium.

“At halftime, we just seemed bummed out,” Armstrong said. “We were only down by six points, but coming out of halftime and get that pick was a real game changer for the offense and defense.”

Permian head coach Blake Feldt said Armstrong’s interception helped turned the tide in the Panthers’ favor.

In the final two quarters, Permian (3-0) collected four turnovers — two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. The Panthers also limited El Paso Eastwood (1-2) to one touchdown in the final 24 minutes.

“That was huge play for our football team when Keatyn made that interception,” Feldt said. “We were behind at that point in time and we make that interception and then score in the next couple of plays. That series of events is what kind of changed of the course of the football game.”

Though the Troopers ended with 91 more yards than Permian, the turnovers assisted the team into short field position. El Paso Eastwood posted 503 yards of total offense, while Permian had 412. The Panthers had four of their seven scoring drives last less than five plays.

Permian’s Ed Williams rushed for a season-high 206 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries. A sore spot in the first two weeks of the season for the Panthers was fumbles, but during Friday’s victory, they finished with zero turnovers.

“The big part of it is that we weren’t putting the ball on the ground,” said Williams, who scored 9- and 28-yard touchdowns in the fourth quarter. “When we don’t (put the ball on the ground), we just keep moving and score. We showed that tonight.”

Miller ended with a rushing, and receiving, touchdown, while Justin Hammond and Steve Steen carried for scores. 

Zach Jaquez grabbed his first career touchdown catch from six yards out. Hammond had 83 yards on eight carries, while Steen had nine carries for 74 yards.

In the first half, El Paso Eastwood wasted little time giving the homecoming crowd a quick roar from the stands. 

Robert Minjarez caught a bubble screen that he turned into a 75-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage.

Castaneda finished 10 of 10 for 172 yards and three touchdowns in the first half. Pete Cadena grabbed two of the first half touchdowns, for 2 and 37 yards, respectively. Castaneda completed 19-of-25 passes for 313 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Noah Rios caught the team’s final touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Seth Ochoa, who is committed to play baseball at Texas Tech, received a handful of series at quarterback. He finished 4 of 12 for 59 yards.

“I thought both of the quarterbacks for Eastwood were excellent,” Feldt said. “Their running back did a good job. 

Their offensive line did a good job. I really impressed with the way Eastwood played on the offensive side of the ball.”
The Panthers have an open week after Bishop Timon-St. Jude canceled in mid-July.

Armstrong said the open week will be important as the team has two weeks to prepare for its District 2-6A opener Wolfforth Frenship (0-3) at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29 at Ratliff Stadium.

“Going into practice this next week, we can’t take it lightly,” Armstrong said. “We have to go out there. We have to grind and get ready for Frenship.”
