THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Permian High School Athletics

Despite being limited to 14 points in the first three quarters, Permian head coach Blake Feldt wasn’t worried about the offensive struggles. The fifth-year head coach knows if the offense goes through adversity, it will pay off in the long run. Permian scored 21 points in the fourth quarter en route to a 35-9 victory over Midland High in a District 2-6A contest on Friday at Grande Communications Stadium. “Anytime that happens to us, that’s a huge plus for us,” Feldt said about the offense struggling. “It helps us be ready for some things in the future. Anytime that we see some things that gives us some problems, that’s a great thing for us.” On the first two offensive possessions, the Panthers (5-0 overall, 2-0 District 2-6A) committed fumbles. The first set up Midland High at its own 31-yard line and the second came at the Bulldogs’ 3. Permian’s defense didn’t allow Midland High (1-6, 1-2) to score on either turnover. Permian quarterback Steve Steen, who committed the second of two fumbles, tipped his hat to Midland High for putting together a solid game plan. The Panthers finished with 158 yards of total offense in the first half. Steen had more passing yards (84) than the team had rushing yards (74). “You have to give a lot of credit to Midland High and their game plan,” Steen said. “It was a good game plan that was kind of messing with our rhythm. We couldn’t really get anything going. We had a couple opportunities where we were driving and then we kind of caught that turnover bug again. “It was a collection of our mistakes and a really good game plan from Midland High.” After the first three quarters, the Panthers held a 14-3 lead. Steen threw a pair of touchdown strikes to Justin Hammond for 31 and six yards. Steen ended 6-of-10 passing for 108 yards and two scores. The Panthers finally got their offense rolling in the fourth quarter when the team piled up 154 of its 312 rushing yards. Permian’s Brother Miller, Ed Williams and Steen all found the end zone in the final 12 minutes of the contest. Steen posted a game-high 164 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries. “We got to look at some of the defenses that they were running and then in the second half, we were kind of able to come out and scheme against what they had coming at us,” Steen said. “All in all, we got to look at some new things. “It’s a reminder that we have to keep working every day.” On the flipside, the Panthers showed their strength against the run again. Midland ended with 23 carries for 66 yards — an average of 2.9 yards per carry. The Panthers have allowed a total of 341 rushing yards in five games — 68.2 yards per game. “They’re tough,” Midland High head coach Tim Anuszkiewicz said about Permian’s defense. “They are way good against the run. We’re not the only team that’s had a hard time running the football against them. We knew they were going to load the box.” Suddin Sapien — the quarterback for the Bulldogs — went 13-of-28 passing for 175 yards, which included a 29-yard touchdown pass to Tim Gates in the fourth quarter. Sapien also finished with 12 carries for 58 yards. Permian’s secondary collected a pair of interceptions against Sapien. With the quality of its run defense, Permian knows the secondary is going to be tested. The Bulldogs averaged 6.3 yards per attempt through the air. “We are always thinking in our heads in the third and fourth quarter when they are down and it’s 3-and-10 or whatever it is, we are thinking pass,” said Permian senior safety Ben Vore, who along with Rakeeb Adeyemi each had interceptions in the fourth quarter. “We are looking to get turnovers.” Permian continues its season hosting Amarillo Tascosa for homecoming at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 20 at Ratliff Stadium. The Rebels have won back-to-back games against the Panthers — the first in the 2015 Class 6A area playoff round and the second was during the 2016 District 2-6A schedule. Feldt knows Amarillo Tascosa and its triple option pose a tough challenge. “The last two times that we play it went down to the wire,” Feldt said. “I expect this one to be the same.”

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Permian High School Athletics

PERMIAN SCORES THREE FOURTH-QUARTER TOUCHDOWNS EN ROUTE TO VICTORY OVER MIDLAND HIGH

ROYAL MCGREGOR

Arkansas Online | 10/14/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Permian Athletics