Permian is coming to town.

By
October 18, 2005

Odessa Permian had their MOJO back for awhile this season. They went 4-1 before district started. Once the range wars began, things have gone down hill. Week one of 3-5 A play saw the Midland Bulldogs jump all over the Panthers. Week 2 saw the Midland Lee Rebels defeat Permian 16-6.

The question is…..are the Eagles playing the 4-1 pre district Panthers or the 0-2 district Panthers? Of course they are one and the same and that makes them a bit dangerous. Abilene High being 7-0 overall and 2-0 in district and 19-1 over the last couple of seasons and ranked #7 in the state have a HUGE bull’s eye on their back. What a way to salvage anybody’s season by beating a team of Abilene High’s stature!

If you think for a moment that Permian will come into Shotwell feeling like they can’t win this game, you had better think again. They will bring the best they have to offer. Abilene High will have to defeat Permian once they get on the field.

Permian has 2 district losses but they are not a pushover team. They play real good run defense and though it is weaker, the pass defense is not bad. On offense they will run the ball more than they pass, a lot more! They are trying to go back to “old school� Permian football. Remember student body right and student body left? That is what they want to do. That is what they will try to do against the Eagles Friday. We all know that a running game when it works will eat up yardage and just as importantly eat up clock time. If you can keep the ball away from Abilene High you then force Abilene High to make the big play.

Abilene High has plenty of power tools to get the job done as far as making the big plays forced or not. The reason the Eagles want to have an effective running game is time management as well as complementing the passing game. Over the last couple of seasons Abilene High has been a very balanced team and capable of depending on the running game or the passing game more so if the opponent’s defense dictates that.

The Eagles defensive unit has played well all year long. They are stout against the run and a team will need to think twice before it throws against Abilene High. The take away ration by the Eagles is spectacular. The line is very tough and as coach Warren likes to say they all understand “the tempo� of the game. The linebackers do an extremely good job and the defensive backs are super. Trying to single one player our of the defensive “brotherhood� is nigh on impossible.

Offensively, Abilene High has much talent and most folks immediately think of QB Taylor Potts. Why not? Taylor is the team leader on offense and he has countless numbers of go to receivers though most fans and other teams think that Lyle Leong is the one to stop. Good thinking on their part. The unfortunate thing for the defensive coordinators of other teams is when you clamp down on Lyle you may well leave the gate open for the many other receivers that are at Pott’s disposal.You can't let Kortney McDow or Luke Kittley, or Jason Boone, or Chris Hale go free. When one puts so much into stopping the passing game, they have to factor in the running game. Casey Bell and Xavier Beaver, the BB boys, are a handful and there are still others to stop. Remember, Taylor will run the ball too.

I have just described what sounds somewhat impossible, stopping the Eagles. To shut down the Eagles completely will require much help from the Eagles themselves, Turnovers and penalties hurt all teams. So far, Abilene High has held those to a minimal amount. That speaks well of the players and coaches.

Come out Friday night and watch the Eagles play Permian as the Eagles press toward repeating as District 3-5A Champions. See you there!

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