Throughout his five years at the helm of the Permian football program, Blake Feldt has had plenty of quality performances.

Ranging from 70-point victories to come-from-behind wins.

Yet, none compare to Friday’s accomplishment against Amarillo Tascosa.

The Panthers’ offense and defense worked in tandem en route to a 49-7 victory over the Rebels in a District 2-6A contest during homecoming at Ratliff Stadium.

“Since I’ve been at Permian High School and we’ve had some good football teams and we’ve had some really good football players, this is as close to as good as a football game that you can play,” Feldt said. “We were outstanding offensively. We were outstanding defensively. We were outstanding in special teams. We were physical.”

Permian (6-0 overall, 3-0 District 2-6A) posted 468 yards of total offense, which included 303 yards on the ground and 165 yards through the air.

The Panthers kept Amarillo Tascosa (5-2, 2-2) under the century mark in the first and second halves as the team combined for 179 yards. The Rebels totaled 170 rushing yards and nine passing.

“We had a lot of things going our way,” said Permian senior quarterback Steve Steen, who rushed for three scores and passed for two more. He finished with 300 yards of total offense — 165 passing and 135 rushing. “We just kind of found a rhythm on offense early and we didn’t look back.

“Offensively, we found a rhythm that we haven’t hit before this season.”

Permian stifled the Rebels from the start.

The Panthers’ defense forced Amarillo Tascosa to four three-and-outs which included the opening drive. Permian turned around and scored on its first three possessions of the first half. Ed Williams scored from one yard out, while Brother Miller caught and 18-yard acrobat touchdown over a defensive back and Steen posted the longest carry of the game (48 yards) for the final score of the first half.

Permian held a 21-0 lead at halftime and that offensive firepower continued in the final two quarters.

On the first play of the second half, Steen tossed a short bubble screen pass to Miller that the senior slot back turned into 64 yards. Steen scored from nine yards three plays later.

Miller’s final catch was a 56-yard touchdown that he stiff armed after the grab.

“Coaches were telling us at halftime that we needed to match the first half,” said Miller, who finished with a season-high 138 receiving yards and two touchdowns on three catches. “We tried to come out and execute the offense.”
Keshawn Jones scored his first career high school touchdown on a seven-yard run to close out the scoring in the third quarter. Steen rushed for his third score and the Panthers’ final touchdown of the contest at the 10-minute mark of the fourth. Christian Tschauner set up the Panthers near midfield after his second interception of the season.

Tschauner knew it was going to be a physical game from start to finish. He was proud of Permian’s ability to close down running lanes and limited the opposition to one completion on seven attempts.

“There was no weak link tonight,” Tschauner said. “Everyone was doing their job. Everyone was everywhere, making tackles and doing their assignments.”

Amarillo Tascosa scored the final touchdown of the contest as Treveal Bridges ran it into the end zone from nine yards out. Bridges lead the Rebels with four carries for 77 yards. Connor McAnaul added 18 carries for 63 yards. Nashon Ray caught the only pass from McAnaul for nine yards in the first quarter.

Permian’s Justin Hammond had 76 yards on nine carries, while Williams had 62 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries.

The Panthers continue their season traveling to San Angelo Central at 7:30 p.m. Friday at San Angelo Stadium. Feldt knows it will taking another strong performance to beat the undefeated Bobcats.

“To be a big-time great football team that wins championships and does great things, you have to continue to improve and get better,” Feldt said. “We are going to do everything our power to do that. This was as close to our maximum potential that we’ve been all year, but we can be better.”
