The Permian High School varsity football team will compete in its annual black and white spring game on May 18 at Ratliff stadium.
Following a 9-2 record and playoff appearance last season, the Panthers will look to see who can step up and replace graduating senior starters in a live game scenario.
As the Panthers have rolled into spring practice, head coach Jeff Ellison said a lot of returning players from last season have led the way for the team in terms of performance.
“Some of our guys that played last year have been doing a good job this spring. Juzstyce Lara had a really good season and he’s had a great spring, (and) on our defensive line we have Brian Pry … he’s had a great off-season and he’s looking great,” Ellison said. “We also have some experience in our slots with some of those guys coming back and they’ve had a good spring.”
One of the positions to watch during the Black and White game will be the quarterback position, a spot that was secured by Rodney Hall for two years.
Ellison said there are multiple candidates the Panthers will look at for the starting job.
“We’ve got three guys that we’re looking at this spring. Our senior Isaac Herrera, junior Evan Garrett and our sophomore Jacob Garcia,” Ellison said. “They’re all having a great spring and getting plenty of reps and they’re battling it out.”
Another position on offense to monitor will be the running back position.
Due to the run-heavy nature of Permian’s offense, Ellison said he wants to look at different backs to take the workload off Lara.
While skill positions such as quarterback and running back will be thoroughly examined, Ellison’s primary focus will be on the trenches during the black and white game.
“I’d just like to see our lines, the offensive and defensive lines, really continue to step up and grow and get better,” Ellison said. “That’s where it all starts on both sides of the ball for us.”
