2025 GAME ARTICLES
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MOJO MISCUES RESULT IN DEFEAT VS PLANO
AUGUST 30th- Permian fell to the Plano Wildcats 27-17 at the Jerry Jones Classic on Saturday at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco.
The game started out on a promising note, as Aaron Navarette caught a 52-yard pass on a halfback option from Cayden Hernandez on the first play from scrimmage. But Navarette fumbled the ball away at the three-yard line.
The MOJO defense rose up to stop Plano on their ensuing drive. The Panthers were able to score on an Iker Munoz field goal early in the second quarter to go on top 3-0.
Plano answered with a 55-yard touchdown pass for a 7-3 lead with 8:56 remaining in the second quarter.
Permian turned the ball over again on the next series, with Plano grabbing a deflected pass for an interception at midfield. But they would eventually give it back when Cameron Mattingly picked off a pass in the endzone, and the first half ended with Plano on top 7-3.
The Wldcats received the second half kick and promptly scored on a long touchdown run. At 9:15 in the third quarter Plano held a 14-3 lead.
Gavin Black got into the endzone on the ensuing Permian possession, with Iniubong John grabbing the two-point conversion pass from Jakob Garcia to make the score 14-11 with 3:22 left in the third.
Less than a minute later Plano answered with a 76-yard burst up the middle for a score. With 2:36 remaining in the third quarter Plano was up 20-11.
Plano scored again in the middle of the final stanza to take a 27-11 lead. Narrette caught a 66-yard touchdown pass from Garcia for Permian with 2:31 left in the game. But the ensuing two-point conversion pass attempt fell incomplete, leaving the Panthers trailing by 10 points.
The Panthers would attempt an onside kick, but Plano was able to recover and from there ran out the clock to secure the 27-17 win.
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MOJO PULLS AWAY IN SECOND HALF VS EASTLAKE
SEPTEMBER 4th- Permian took control in the second half with two fourth-quarter touchdowns to defeat El Paso Eastlake 27-12 at Ratliff Stadium.
Unlike last year's 56-49 shootout in El Paso, this game started out as a defensive struggle. Permian drove down to the Eastlake one-yard line on their opening possession, but the Falcons held MOJO out of the end zone on fourth down.
Permian would return the favor and force the Falcons to punt. The ensuing Permian drive would stall at the Eastlake 28, and the Panthers settled for an Iker Munoz field goal and a 3-0 lead with 4:45 left in the first quarter.
Cameron Mattingly grabbed an interception on the next Eastlake series, and MOJO took advantage with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Jakob Garcia to Cayden Hernandez for a 10-0 lead.
Eastlake finally got things going in the second period with a 13-play, 75-yard scoring drive to cut Permian's lead to 10-7 with 10:41 remaining in the half.
Disaster struck the Panthers right before the break when an errant snap on a punt attempt went over the kicker's head and out of the end zone, resulting in a safety. The teams went into the break with MOJO clinging to a narrow 10-9 lead.
The third quarter looked much like the first, with both teams failing to get into the end zone. Permian did manage to add another field goal by Munoz to increase their advantage to 13-9 as the third quarter was coming to a close.
The Panthers took advantage of an interception by Izeyah McCoy to go on an 88-yard scoring drive as the final period began. Gavin Black ripped off a 41-yard run to get Permian in scoring position. Black then cashed it in a couple of plays later, giving the Panthers a 20-9 lead with 8:25 left in the game.
Eastlake added a late field goal with 3:38 left to pull to within eight-points. But Permian would recover the ensuing onside kick, and Black drove the final nail in the coffin with a 21-yard touchdown run. Time expired with MOJO on top 27-12.
Gavin Black ended the evening with 27 carries for 183 yards and two touchdowns. Jakob Garcia was 24-of-32 passing for 244 yards and a touchdown. Aaron Navarette led Permian receivers with eight catches for 80 yards. Defensively, Cameron Mattingly and Izeyah McCoy had interceptions.
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SEPTEMBER 12th- The Permian Panthers unleashed an impressive aerial attack on offense to grab a 38-21 victory over the Abilene Eagles at Shotwell Stadium.
Early on, the Eagles looked like they would live up to their No. 8 ranking, scoring quickly on a 38-yard touchdown drive. The first quarter ended with Abilene on top 7-0.
The Panthers looked to answer in the second quarter, but a fumble after a long pass play was recovered by the Eagles. The Panther defense would rise up to force a punt, and MOJO was back in business at their own 45-yard line.
This time MOJO would find the end zone. The score was set up by a flea-flicker pass to Aaron Navarette to set the Panthers up at the two-yard line. Gavin Black punched it in for his first touchdown of the evening, and Iker Munoz drilled the PAT through the uprights to tie the game at 7-7.
After another defensive stand by the Black Attack defense, Jakob Garcia got into the end zone on a quarterback keeper from five yards out for a 14-7 Permian lead.
MOJO's good fortune continued on the ensuing Abilene possession when an errant punt snap sailed over the kicker's head, giving the Panthers the ball at the two-yard line. Garcia would hit Cameron Mattingly on a fade route to the corner of the end zone two plays later. MOJO went into the break with a 21-7 lead.
Permian increased their advantage to 24-7 in the third period on a 54-yard field goal by Iker Munoz. The kick was the second-longest in Permian history (behind Russell Wheatley's 62 yarder vs Longview in 1975).
The Eagles fought to get back in the game in the final period with a couple of scores. But Permian would not relinquish control of the game, answering each Abilene touchdown with one of their own.
Alexx Cruz scored on a 25-yard pass from Garcia to go up 31-14. After the Eagles scored again to make it a 10-point contest, a long bomb on third down from Kayden Vickers to Cason Nabarette got the Panthers down to the one-yard line.
From there Black did what he does best, bulling his way into the end zone to give the Panthers the final score of the game. Time would expire with MOJO on top 38-21.
Jakob Garcia threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. Gavin Black added two touchdowns on the ground. Cameron Mattingly and Alexx Cruz caught touchdown passes. The win gives MOJO a 2-1 record.
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PANTHERS FLY PAST THE ABILENE EAGLES
SEPTEMBER 18th- The Permian Panthers got out of Amarillo with a hard-fought 23-21 victory over the Tascosa Rebels on Thursday.
MOJO opened the game strong, driving 78 yards in 10 plays to score on a touchdown pass from Jakob Garcia to Cameron Mattingly. With 7:15 to go in the first quarter Permian had a 7-0 lead.
Tascosa answered with a 75-yard touchdown drive of their own to tie the game at 7-7 at the end of the first period.
The Panthers made the score 10-7 on their following possession. Gavin Black took off on a 44 yard run, but the drive eventually stalled at the Tascosa 28-yard line. MOJO would settle for a 45 yard field goal from Iker Munoz.
The Rebels would answer again with a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to grab the lead at 14-10 with 3:18 remaining before the break.
Permian responded with some trickery on the ensuing possession. After a 34-yard pass from Garcia to Cason Nabarette, the Panthers executed a perfect reverse-pass from Cayden Hernandez to a wide-open Aaron Navarette for a 42-yard touchdown. MOJO went into the break with a 17-14 lead.
After the fireworks of the first half the two teams traded turnovers and big hits in a scoreless third quarter. The Rebels managed to block a Permian field goal attempt to thwart the only serious scoring threat of the period.
In the final frame, the Panthers took advantage of another Tascosa fumble to get into the endzone on a six-play, 55 yard touchdown drive. Garcia dialed up a six-yard touchdown pass to Navarette to increase their lead to 23-14 with 3:11 remaining.
The Rebels would not go quietly, scoring a touchdown with 1:24 left in the contest. But the ensuing onside kick would be recovered by the Panthers, and from there the good guys in Black and White were able to run out the clock. The game ended with the final score Permian 23, Tascosa 21.
Jakob Garcia ended the evening with 138 yards and two touchdowns passing. His leading receiver was Aaron Navarette with 89 yards and two scores. Gavin Black rushed for 103 yards. Cameron Mattingly was a major contributor on both sides of the ball with a 13-yard touchdown reception as well as a fumble recovery on defense.
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PANTHERS LEAVE AMARILLO WITH A WIN
SEPTEMBER 26th- The Permian Panthers celebrated Homecoming with a 36-25 victory over the Cajon High School Cowboys from San Bernadino, California on Friday.
The game did not start well for MOJO as the visiting Cowboys jumped out to an early lead on two quick touchdown passes.
Cajon used a trick play to find the end zone on their first drive, scoring on a 67-yard touchdown pass off a reverse. The Cowboys were unable to complete a two-point conversion try but held a 6-0 lead with barely a minute off the clock.
Permian responded with a short drive capped by a 29-yard field goal by Iker Munoz, making the score 6-3 halfway through the first period.
Cajon answered with a 78-yard touchdown pass. The Panthers blocked the extra point attempt, giving the Cowboys a 12-3 lead entering the second quarter.
Cajon would make it 19-3 on their next possession with a 13-yard touchdown pass with 10:55 remaining in the second quarter.
After the shaky opening period Permian would right the ship, responding with two touchdowns before the end of the first half.
A seven-yard touchdown pass from Jakob Garcia to Iniubong John and a successful two-point conversion cut Permian's deficit to 19-11 with 10:09 remaining.
On Permian's next possession, a 14-yard touchdown pass from Garcia to Aaron Navarrete was followed by another successful Permian two-point conversion. The teams went into the break with the score tied 19-19.
Neither team could get anything going in the third quarter until the Cowboys turned a fumble on a trick play into a 52-yard run down to the Permian 20-yard line. Cajon scored on the next play to take a 25-19 lead with 3:58 to go in the third.
MOJO answered with a five-play, 54-yard drive, capped off by a two-yard touchdown run by Gavin Black. The PAT put Permian ahead 26-25 as the third quarter ended.
Permian put together another scoring drive in the fourth frame as Black found the end zone on a six-yard touchdown run, giving the Panthers a 33-25 lead with 7:20 to go.
Noel Washington grabbed an interception on Cajon's next drive to stymie whatever hope there was for them to tie the game. Munoz would connect on another field goal with under a minute to go to give Permian their final margin of victory. The clock expired with MOJO on top 36-25.
Quarterback Jakob Garcia was 17-of-25 for 229 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Cason Nabarrette led the Panthers with five receptions for 54 yards, while Mark Herrera rushed 10 times for 66 yards. The win gives MOJO a 4-1 record.
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PANTHERS WIN INTERSTATE BATTLE
OCTOBER 10th- MOJO was too much for Odessa High in the Rumble at Ratliff as the Panthers notched a dominating 49-7 win in the District 2-6A opener for both teams.
Permian scored on their first seven possessions of the game, and the defense shut down the Bronchos in the second half. The Panthers were never forced to punt.
Receiving the opening kick, the Permian offense drove down the field on a nine-play, 65-yard drive capped off by Gavin Black's one-yard touchdown run to stake a 7-0 lead with 7:53 remaining in the first quarter.
The Bronchos answered with a nice drive to get down the field to the Permian two-yard line. However, Odessa High was stopped short by Permian's goal line stand and were forced to settle for a field goal attempt.
The kick was wide-left, but a penalty on Permian gave the Bronchos another shot from the one-yard line. The Bronchos elected to go for it. but the runner was stopped short of the end zone and the Panthers took over.
The Permian offense promptly drove down the field on a 17-play, 99-yard scoring drive that took up all of the first quarter and extended into the second. Black scored his second touchdown of the game on a two-yard run with 8:44 left in the second quarter, giving the Panthers a 14-0 lead.
The Bronchos got things going on their next possession, responding with a 55-yard touchdown pass play to put Odessa High on the board with 7:18 remaining.
MOJO didn’t take long to answer, scoring on a 49-yard touchdown pass from Jakob Garcia to Cayden Hernandez. The Panthers held a 21-7 lead with 5:59 to go.
The Bronchos got down to Permian's 10-yard line on the ensuing possession, but consecutive incomplete passes led to a missed field goal attempt.
With 1:42 remaining before the break there was more than enough time for the Panthers to get another touchdown on the board.
Garcia’s 43-yard touchdown pass to Cason Nabarrette gave the Panthers a 28-7 lead after a scoring drive of five plays with :28 seconds remaining in the half.
Permian added to their lead when Hernandez hauled in a 32-yard touchdown pass on Permian’s first offensive possession of the second half, giving the Panthers a 35-7 lead with 8:03 remaining in the third.
MOJO’s next series would produce another touchdown as Kayden Vickers hooked up with Aaron Navarrette from 24 yards, giving the Panthers a 42-7 lead with 2:32 left.
A 12-yard run by Mark Herrera in the fourth quarter was the final score of the contest, extending MOJO's lead with 8:57 to play. Time expired with Permian on top 49-7.
Quarterback Jakob Garcia was 15-of-21 for 265 yards passing and three touchdowns. Gavin Black had 11 carries for 55 yards and two scores. Cayden Hernandez led all receivers with seven catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Caleb Jamison forced a fumble which was recovered by Braden Garcia. The win gives MOJO a 1-0 record in District 2-6A (5-1 overall).
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PANTHERS DOMINATE THE RUMBLE AT RATLIFF
OCTOBER 17th- MOJO improved their record to 2-0 in District 2-6A (6-1 overall) with a 35-27 victory over the San Angelo Central Bobcats on Friday.
Permian’s defense landed the first blow in the game, with Malachi Mendoza intercepting a Central pass and returning it 90 yards for a touchdown. The PAT gave the Panthers an early 7-0 lead.
The Bobcats answered with an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to tie the game at 7-7 with 3:11 remaining in the first quarter.
San Angelo Central took its first lead of the night on their next possession with a touchdown run in the second quarter for a 14-7 lead.
Permian answered two plays later with a touchdown pass of 77-yards from Jakob Garcia to Cason Nabarrette to knot the game back up at 14-14 with 6:45 left.
Central responded with another touchdown pass of 60-yards on their following drive, giving the visitors the lead at 21-14 with 3:28 left until the break.
Garcia’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Cayden Hernandez would tie things up again with 2:35 left before halftime.
Central worked their way into field goal range as the first half was ending but the attempt was no good, keeping the game tied at 21-21 at the break.
Getting possession to start the third quarter, the Panthers retook the lead on a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Cameron Mattingly on a nine-play, 62-yard drive. MOJO was ahead 28-21 with 6:30 left in the third.
Central put together a good drive that eventually stalled at the nine-yard line. The Bobcats were forced to settle for a 19-yard field goal. The third quarter ended with MOJO on top 28-24.
As the final period began, a muffed punt return by the Panthers gave the Bobcats possession at the Permian 34 yard line. But Central couldn't punch it into the endzone and would settle for a 31-yard field goal, cutting the Permian lead to 28-27 with 8:41 left in the contest.
Permian answered with a seven-play, 75-yard drive capped off by Garcia's pass to Nabarrette for an 18-yard touchdown. Permian's lead was 35-27 with 5:40 to go.
Central had one more chance to tie the game, but Mendoza grabbed his second pick of the evening to end the threat. The contest ended with MOJO on top 35-27.
Jakob Garcia ended the game with 319 yards passing and four touchdowns on 18 completions. Cason Nabarette grabbed five receptions for 131 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Gavin Black had 10 carries for 46 yards. Defensively Malachi Mendoza had two interceptions and a score. His 90 yard return for a touchdown was the third-longest in Permian history.
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PANTHERS OUTLAST THE CONCHO CATS
OCTOBER 24th- The Permian Panthers and Midland Legacy Rebels played in another instant classic on Friday. The Panthers came out victorious by a score of 51-48 on a walk-off Iker Munoz field goal as time expired.
In a back-and-forth game with several momentum swings it was the Panthers that would ultimately have the final say in the matter.
Midland Legacy’s defense struck first with an interception returned for a 44-yard touchdown. The PAT gave the Rebels a 7-0 lead just two minutes into the contest.
Permian answered with a six-play, 51-yard drive capped off with a Jakob Garcia pass to Cayden Hernandez for a 10-yard touchdown. The PAT tied the game at 7-7.
Legacy regained the lead on a drive that resulted in a two-yard touchdown run, making the score 14-7 Rebels with 3:20 remaining.
Permian had another response with Garcia hooking up with Hernandez again, this time for a 16-yard touchdown to tie the game at 14-14.
On the ensuing Legacy possession, an interception by Nata Cardoza set up another Permian score. Four plays later Garcia hooked up with Alexx Cruz for a 36-yard touchdown, giving MOJO their first lead of the night at 21-14.
Legacy began the second quarter with a solid drive culminating in a 40-yard field goal by to cut the Panthers’ lead to 21-17 with 8:51 left before the break.
Gavin Black scored his first touchdown of the night on a one-yard run on the following Permian possession. The extra-point was no good, but the Panthers had extended their lead to 27-17 with 6:31 remaining before halftime.
Legacy reduced the deficit to three points with a 94-yard touchdown run with 5:29 left. Soon after, Legacy regained the lead on a 72-yard pass to make the score 31-27.
The Panthers went back in front on a one-yard touchdown run by Black with :11 seconds to go. The two teams went into the locker room with MOJO on top 34-31.
Coming out of the break, MOJO was set to receive the second half kick. But the Rebels executed a successful onside kick to steal possession from the Panthers. However, the Rebels could not capitalize on the possession as the Permian defense stood tall. Legacy wound up turning the ball over on downs.
After a three-and-out by Permian, Legacy hit paydirt on their next drive with a touchdown pass of six yards. The Rebels had a 38-34 lead with 5:13 left in the third.
Permian answered with a touchdown run of 19-yards by Black, and the Panthers retook the lead. The third quarter ended with Permian leading 41-38.
After forcing another Rebels punt, Black would score on a four-yard touchdown run to make the score 48-38 with 10:31 left in the game.
Legacydrove down the field on their ensuing possession but was eventually forced to settle for a field goal, leaving the Rebels trailing 48-41 with 9:30 left in the contest.
The Rebels were able to tie things up on their next drive with a touchdown run of 13-yards. The game was tied once again at 48-48 with three minutes remaining.
The Panthers got the ball back and were able to work the ball down the field. Facing a heavy Rebel blitz, Garcia was able to scramble out of trouble and hook up with a pass to Cruz to get the Panthers to the 20 yard line.
From there Black carried the ball down to the Legacy nine-yard line, setting up the game-winning 26-yard field goal by Munoz as time expired. Permian wins 51-48.
Gavin Black ended the evening with 319 yards (career high) and four touchdowns on 37 carries. Jakob Garcia was 17-of-26 for 228 yards and three touchdowns. Cayden Hernandez caught eight passes for 68 yards and two scores. The win gives Permian a 3-0 record in District 2-6A (7-1 overall).
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PANTHERS TAKE CONTROL OF THE DISTRICT RACE
OCTOBER 31st- The Permian Panthers secured a share of the District 2-6A title with a 38-25 victory over the Frenship Tigers at Peoples Bank Stadium on Friday.
Frenship received the opening kickoff but could not advance past midfield, as their fourth-down pass fell incomplete. MOJO took over and responded with an eight-play, 56-yard scoring drive capped off by a two-yard run by Gavin Black. Permian led 7-0.
The Tigers responded with a seven-play drive of 75 yards ending with a seven-yard touchdown pass. The first period ended with the teams tied at 7-7.
Frenship would take advantage of an interception on the next Permian possession, scoring in three plays to take a 14-7 lead midway through the second quarter.
The Panthers hit paydirt on their next series, as Black busted through the line and raced down the sideline on a 40-yard scamper. The PAT made the score 14-14 with 3:41 remaining until the break.
The Tigers put together a quick drive that resulted in a field goal, and the teams went into the locker room with Frenship on top 17-14.
Tragedy struck the Panthers early in the third period when record-setting quarterback Jakob Garcia was knocked out of the game with an injury. Kayden Vickers entered the game in relief, and on his second snap of the game connected with Cason Nabarrette on a touchdown pass of 72 yards. Permian retook the lead at 21-17.
Iker Munoz hit a 39-yard field goal to increase Permian's advantage to 24-17 as time expired in the third period.
The defense would hold when the Tigers gambled on a fourth down attempt on the following Frenship possession, giving the Panthers good field position. MOJO made the Tigers pay when Black scored his third touchdown of the evening, this time from 11 yards out. MOJO's lead was 31-17 midway through the fourth quarter.
Down two scores and forced to pass on every play, Frenship's comeback plans were foiled when Cameron Mattingly stepped in front of a pass and made a house call from 56 yards out. The Munoz PAT made the score 38-17 Permian late in the fourth.
Frenship would score with a few seconds remaining but it was too little, too late. The clock ran out with MOJO on top 38-25.
Gavin Black led the way for MOJO with 161 yards and three scores on 24 carries. Jakob Garcia and Kayden Vickers combined for 318 passing yards. Cason Nabarrette led Permian with six catches for 142 yards and a score. Cameron Mattingly grabbed an interception and returned it for a touchdown. The win gives MOJO a 4-0 record in District 2-6A (8-1 overall) and a share of the district championship.
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PANTHERS WRAP UP DISTRICT TITLE
