The redemption tour for the Permian football team went nearly flawless.

The Panthers’ lone loss during the regular season came against San Angelo Central.

Yet, Permian senior quarterback Steve Steen said the team was able to right a couple wrongs from its 2016 campaign and roll into the 2017 postseason with an 8-1 record and the No. 1 seed in District 2-6A Division I.

“We went out and got the job done week-in and week-out — minus that one little blemish,” Steen said. “Another thing that we had set in our minds was going and beating these teams that we should have beat the year before. To see that come into play, we’ve already seen one goal accomplished and now we have to focus on our other goal (advancing in the playoffs).”

The Panthers claimed the top seed after defeating Midland Lee 42-7. The victor of that regular season finale would host its bi-district playoff contest.

Permian readies for El Paso Coronado (5-5) at 7 p.m. Friday at Ratliff Stadium.

“This is a steady group that doesn’t get too high and they don’t get too low,” Permian head coach Blake Feldt said. “They are just steady, which is outstanding.”

In the final game of the regular season, Permian’s offense piled on 416 total yards on 59 plays and six touchdowns.

That offensive output was spurred by 16 knockdowns, 11 cut blocks and five pancakes from the Panthers’ offensive line. Permian junior right guard Dawson Reynolds believes “The Hogs” are ready for the playoffs.

“We have big goals this year and we have a great team,” he said. “We keep telling each other that we have to take it one game at a time and keep doing what we are doing.”

Like Reynolds stated, one of the most important thoughts for the Panthers going into their first round playoff game is to continue to play another week.

Of the 33 previous times Permian made the playoffs, the team lost in the first round six times. The Panthers hold a 23-0-1 overall record against the Thunderbirds. The lone tie, 14-14, came during the 1975 quarterfinal and Permian advanced on penetrations 3-2.

“They understand the task at hand,” Feldt said. “Our goal is to advance. Our goal is to advance every week no matter who we are playing or where we are playing or when we are playing. Our goal is to advance.

“Everybody is in the playoffs on their own right. Everybody is good and teams get better as we go, but first things first, we have to beat El Paso Coronado. We are glad that we are playing at home, but at the same time, (El Paso Coronado) is first up in round one and we have to advance.”

>> STITCHED IN: Permian’s home black jerseys will receive an addition in the postseason.

Per tradition, members of the varsity roster will have a patch that features their last name stitched across the top back of their jerseys.

Only a select number of Panther starters know how special of an experience it’s to play for the name on the front and back of their jersey.

“Playoffs is a big deal and being a senior now, I’m only guaranteed the next game,” Permian senior outside linebacker Preston Ellison, who started at linebacker as a sophomore during the team’s two playoff games in 2015. “It gives you that extra drive to do better.”

Permian defensive coordinator Vance Washington — who played for the Panthers in 1980, 1981 and 1982 — still has his playoff name patches.

“It’s special and it’s neat to do that,” he said. “The kids deserve it and it’s one of those rewards.”

>> UNDERCARD: The Permian JV Black Team collected a 38-21 victory over Midland Lee. That was only win for Permian’s subvarsity teams. Midland Lee defeated the Panthers’ JV White 21-0. Midland Lee beat Permian Black Freshman Team 20-19, while Midland Lee topped the Panthers’ White Freshman Team 38-36.

That was the final time for Permian’s subvarsity teams to suit out this season. The Panthers have a total of 101 players, with the addition of JV players, on their varsity roster now — they had 73 in the regular-season finale against Midland Lee.
