Permian Panthers MOJO Football

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.

NEXT UP- MOJO travels to Midland to take on the Legacy Rebels (2-0, 3-4). Kickoff is scheduled for Friday, October 24th at 7:30 pm at Astound Broadband Stadium.

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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.

The Panthers scored touchdowns on their first seven offensive drives. Meanwhile the Bronchos could only manage one touchdown.

Receiving the opening kick, the Permian offense drove down the field before Black scored on a one-yard carry 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 the 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.

Permian’s next offensive series would produce another touchdown as Garcia hooked up with Aaron Navarrette from 24 yards, giving MOJO 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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