News courtesy of Odessa American Online
AMARILLO Coming off of its worst performance of the season last week, Permian's defense faced another tough task on Friday night against Amarillo Tascosa.
Another week, another spread offense to slow down.
This time the Panthers turned in a very different result.
Playing with a speedy new look on defense, Permian shut down the Rebels, 36-8.
"When we play fast, it's harder for the blockers to stop us and we get to our holes faster," Panthers outside linebacker Romeo Maldonado said. "Speed really helps us."
Faced with the stats from last week's victory over Lubbock Coronado - the Mustangs racked up 398 yards through the air - Permian's coaching staff made some changes to the lineup.
The Panthers inserted backups Richard Murry and Colby Pyron into a base defense that featured six defensive backs.
And Permian (9-0, 8-0) moved speedy outside linebacker Joey Mendez into the spot vacated by injured middle linebacker Jerome Leija.
Rebels quarterback Dalton Brooks only had 90 passing yards.
More importantly, Amarillo Tascosa (2-7, 1-7) only mustered one touchdown.
"It's difficult to hold Tascosa to eight points," Permian head coach Darren Allman said. "In the first half, our defense was fighting a short field, and I thought they hung in there."
Permian's defensive performance gave the offense time to work out some early kinks.
The Panthers' first drive ended with a fumble. The second ended with an interception that Rebels cornerback Kynan Rogers returned 25 yards to the Permian 33-yard line.
"We just had a couple of mental mistakes the first couple of drives," Panthers quarterback Trevor Adams said.
Brooks responded by throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass to Casey Burkhardt to give Amarillo Tascosa an 8-0 lead.
But then Permian's offense came to life.
Sherard Ray broke loose up the left sideline for a 57-yard run on Permian's ensuing drive that got down to the 2-yard line, and Alan Castillejos punched it in on the next play.
Ray struck again on the Panthers' next drive.
With Permian trailing 8-6, Ray ran up the middle, broke a tackle and cut back to the right for a 40-yard touchdown that gave the Panthers the lead.
Ray gained 200 yards on 19 carries and set a Permian record for rushing yards during the regular season.
Ray has 1,580 yards this season.
"With the number of great backs that Permian's had, I know it's a special thing for him to be mentioned among that group," Allman said.
Ray was helped by a passing game that kept the chains moving in the first half and opened up Amarillo Tascosa's defense to the run.
Adams completed 21-of-28 passes for 236 yards and an 11-yard touchdown to Shai Biggerstaff.
He also caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Alan Castillejos early in the second half.
"Those guys know Sherard is going to get the ball a lot," Adams said. "It makes it a lot easier on me when he's having a good game."
Pyron ended the Rebels' next drive by returning an interception 20 yards for a score to seal the deal.
Brooks never found room to operate against the speed of Permian's defense.
"We just want to pick up our intensity against teams," Panthers free safety Linvel Mosby said. "When the other team's getting tired, we're still in it."
And the Panthers are still moving fast.
Permian 36 Amarillo Tascosa 8