During the 2016 season, two points separated the Permian football team from second to fifth place in District 2-6A.

The Panthers found themselves on the outside looking in as they were eliminated from playoff contention after they started the District 2-6A schedule with four straight losses — which included back-to-back one-point losses to Midland High and Amarillo Tascosa.

On Nov. 5 2016, the Saturday after its regular season finale against Midland Lee, Permian set its sights on making a postseason run in 2017.

The Panthers concluded the regular season with a 8-1 record, claimed the No. 1 seed in District 2-6A Division I and collected a 50-17 bi-district victory over El Paso Coronado on Friday at Ratliff Stadium. Permian outscored the Thunderbirds 36-7 in the second half and was fueled by junior running back Ed Williams, who posted one of the top playoff rushing performances in program history, with 290 yards and four touchdowns on 24 carries.

“I said this last year, ‘Because of the things that happened last year, that’s going be to our benefit this year,’” Permian head coach Blake Feldt said. “That has come true. We learned from a year ago in the areas that we were deficient last year and cost us from getting those two points. Not only did we improve upon, but we did a great job of it.”

However, that one postseason victory hasn’t left anyone on Permian’s roster satisfied.

The Panthers travel to face Arlington Martin in a area playoff game at 3:30 p.m. Friday at the University of Texas-Arlington’s Maverick Stadium.

“We talked about working hard in the offseason, because great teams have great summers and great offseasons,” 
Permian senior slot back Brother Miller said. “We really trained hard this offseason and we are looking for some great results. We have a great team and we want to accomplish something big here at Permian.”

There have been multiple areas of improvement for the Panthers from the 2016 to 2017 seasons.

Permian finished with two fewer takeaways (18-16) in 2016, but those numbers flipped as the team has nine more turnovers than its opponents (19-10) this season. The Panthers have been called for 244 fewer penalty yards. Permian sophomore Carson Roberts has converted on all of the team’s extra point attempts (57 of 57), which was a problem in 2016 with seven missed PATs.

Permian senior linebacker Preston Ellison said there were moments the team played well in 2016, but those times became more consistent this season.

“We’ve been practicing for over a year for this,” he said. “Knowing that we are here, this is what we’ve been working on. District and preseason are of course games that you want too, but once you get into the playoffs, that’s prime time high school football. It sets a fire under everyone’s butts, because they know that we’ve practicing for so long for this.”
>> THANKSGIVING WEEK PRACTICE: On Thursday, the Panthers have invited former players and fans to join them for its tradition Thanksgiving Day practice at 10 a.m. on John Wilkins Field.

Permian will go through its typical walkthrough and there will be donuts and coffee served in the indoor practice facility.

Vance Washington — Permian’s defensive coordinator and former Panther — said practicing on Thanksgiving Day is a special opportunity.

“That’s fun,” Washington said. “I still remember it from my senior year. There’s tons of people out. It’s kind of like a party with a football practice in it. That’s neat. You always want to play this week.”

>> INJURY REPORT: Senior slot back Keshawn Jones and Williams were sidelined with injuries during Monday’s practice. Jones has a hamstring injury, while Williams suffered a sprained ankle in Friday’s bi-district win.

Feldt expects both players to play against the Warriors.

“Ed sprained his ankle, but he should be OK by Friday,” Feldt said. “Hopefully, Keshawn will be ready by Friday. He was a game-time decision (against El Paso Coronado).”

Williams said after Monday’s practice that his ankle is feeling stronger.

“It’s doing a lot better than it was on Friday,” William said. “It’s doing a lot better.”
