The Permian football team fell back to earth in the form of a 46-44 loss to Wolfforth Frenship last week and are now entering win-or-go-home territory.
The Panthers (4-4 overall, 1-2 in District 2-6A) will play their penultimate regular season game at home with a 7 p.m. contest against San Angelo Central (1-7, 0-3) Friday at Ratliff Stadium.
“Obviously, we’re in a must-win situation,” Permian head coach Jeff Ellison said. “Every week is, but especially now. We’re expecting to have a good week of practice and we’re going to go out and fight on Friday.”
>> FIREWORKS: Both the Panthers and the Tigers were dominant on the offensive side of the ball last Friday as the scoreboard at Ratliff Stadium was kept busy.
Both teams put up a combined total of 923 yards of offense (Permian with 460, Frenship with 463).
Permian running back Juzstyce Lara had another big day, putting up 242 rushinig yards from 30 carries and scoring two touchdowns.
Frenship quarterback Hudson Hutcheson went 22-of-26 for 406 yards passing and had five passing touchdowns.
Wide receiver Leyton Stone had seven receptions for 200 yards for Frenship.
“Going into that game, we knew, and everybody else knew, how explosive Frenship’s offense is,” Ellison said. “They got us on a couple of plays. They had some mistakes later on. Offensively, we played decently. I thought our running game with Juzstyce was good. He had over 200 yards once again. He did an outstanding job. I’m disappointed with the result on Friday, but we’re back to work today.”
>> MORE FIREWORKS: Anyone who’s been following District 2-6A at this point knows just how high-scoring each game promises to be.
The Panthers’ next opponent brings another highly-talented offense to Ratliff Stadium.
It’ll be the second time this season that San Angelo Central will be playing at Ratliff Stadium this season as the Bobcats’ last trip to Odessa resulted in a 71-70 overtime loss to Odessa High Oct. 13.
San Angelo Central was dealt a 66-24 loss to Midland Legacy last week.
The Bobcats’ offense is powered by quarterback Christian English who averages 118.5 rushing yards a game.
“We need to do a great job against their good quarterback,” Ellison said. “Their quarterback is a good thrower and runner. He does well. We have to do a good job, defensively, of keeping those explosive plays to a minimum.”
San Angelo Central at Permian
>> When: 7 p.m. Friday
>> Where: Ratliff Stadium
>> Last season: Permian 43, San Angelo Central 31
>> Records: San Angelo Central (1-7 overall, 0-3 in District 2-6A); Permian 4-4, 1-2
>> Radio: KHKX (FM-99.1)
