THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Permian High School Athletics

The Permian Panthers may not have a game to prepare for this week, but there’s still plenty of work to do before the District 2-6A opener. Permian and Odessa High will meet on Oct. 12 in the first week of district play, and the Panthers aren’t wasting any time getting ready for the crosstown game. “We started getting ready (Monday) with watching film and doing some things,” Permian interim coach Jeff Ellison said. “This is an open week. It’s not an off week. “We’ve already addressed the team as far as we’re going to use the opportunity to get better this week. We’ve adjusted some of our scheduling a little bit, but for the most part we’re going to keep everything the same. We’ve got a big game coming up, so we’ve got to get ready for it.” However, the open date does allow the Panthers to cut back on the amount of contact work for most of this week, Ellison said. “We’re going to do some things we’ve done in the past, little tweaks here and there,” he said. “We’ll make some adjustments to our regular routine. “I think we’ve got a good plan for this week, but it’s the overall mindset of getting healed up. There’s nothing big, but you’ve got to take that time because after this, district and then continuing on.” After two seasons of being in a seven-team district alignment, with each school having a separate open date through the course of the district schedule, Permian’s membership in six-team district allows the Panthers to have the same schedule as their district opponents. All six teams in District 2-6A are open this week after playing five games. “Everybody’s in the same boat with that,” Ellison said. “I think, for us, where it’s placed is ideal. It’s fine. Wherever it’s at, you’ve got to take advantage of it.” >> PROGRESSING RIGHT ALONG: Through five games, Permian is averaging 448.0 total yards per game (311.6 rushing, 136.4 passing) and 43.4 points per game. Opponents average 273.6 total yards (125.4 rushing, 148.2 passing) and 19.4 points per game. Ellison said the Panthers have made steady improvement over the first five weeks, but said there’s still a long way to go. “I don’t know as far as the pace or expectations of when everything comes together, but as a coach, you want it sooner rather than later, always,” he said. “But if you sit back and look back on our progression, we have progressed. “In Week 9, Week 10, there will still be some areas we need to get better in.” Ellison said one of the most significant factors was the development of first-year starters at several positions. “I think our defense has come a long way,” he said. “We’ve talked in the past about key spots and new players for us. They’ve done a great on their progression. “We continue to get better up front and our skill, offensively, are more a threat with our passing game as of late. That’s an improvement for us, but, again, we need to continue to get better at that.” >> DEFENSIVE LEADERS: Linebacker Tanner Adams led Permian with 10 total tackles against Los Fresnos, his third 10-tackle game in five weeks, with a sack and a tackle for loss. Outside linebacker Cameron Martinez had eight tackles with one tackle for loss and two pass breakups. Outside linebacker Teo Banks had six tackles. >> DOMINATING UP FRONT: Starting defensive linemen Matt Jones, Jake Parchman and Ke’Shawn Wright combined for seven total tackles against Los Fresnos, five of them for loss. The Panthers finished with 14 tackles for loss in holding Los Fresnos to 58 total yards (41 rushing). >> CONTROLLING THE AIRWAYS: Of Los Fresnos’ 17 pass attempts, the Panthers got a hand on eight. Safety Chase Stell had two interceptions, cornerback Rakeeb Adelemi had an interception and a pass breakup, and cornerback Christian Tschauner and Martinez each had two pass breakups. Los Fresnos finished with four completions, the longest being a screen pass for 13 yards, for 17 yards.

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Permian High School Athletics

BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR PERMIAN DURING OFF WEEK

SAM WALLER

Odessa American | 10/2/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: Jacob Ford