The second season opened with absolute fireworks as Mojo improves to 11-0 and claims their third consecutive Bi-District Championship. Permian wasted no time seizing total control of the game, exploding for 28 unanswered points in the first quarter alone. After the Black Cat defense forced a three-and-out on the opening possession, Cayden Taylor capped an efficient scoring drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge and off the Panthers went.
On the very next series, Eastlake coughed up a fumble recovered by Zephaniah DeLeon at the Falcon 28, setting up a 20-yard touchdown sprint by Dae Dae McDowell just 52 seconds later. After a muffed punt, Josh Curry added a 15-yard scoring run two plays later. Malachi Mendoza blew the roof off Ratliff Stadium at the 5:00 mark with an electric 48-yard punt return for another Black Cat touchdown.
Eastlake sophomore quarterback Johnny Fajardo fought valiantly to keep the Falcons afloat, connecting with Nick Pena on a 20-yard fourth-down touchdown pass early in the second frame, though Izeyah McCoy intercepted the ensuing two-point conversion attempt and returned it the length of the field for two defensive points.
Permian’s aerial attack then took over before the break, as McDowell hauled in touchdown strikes of 38 and 41 yards around a 24-yard scoring catch by Jace Thompson to give Mojo a commanding 51-14 halftime cushion.
With the outcome firmly decided, Alex Aguilera took over at quarterback in the third quarter and immediately orchestrated a 4-play, 51-yard march capped by a 2-yard Mark Herrera touchdown run. Victor Zapata stepped under center in the fourth stanza to salt away the final minutes on the ground, grinding out four consecutive first downs to seal the 58-22 victory.
Permian racked up 391 yards in total offense while limiting Eastlake to 222. Vickers finished 9-of-11 for 233 yards and three touchdowns. McDowell finished the night with 168 yards from seven catches and two touchdowns. He also contributed another TD rushing on the 20-yarder.
With the Bi-District Championship secured, Permian (11-0) will face Keller (8-3) in the Area Round of the Class 6A state playoffs. Kickoff is tentatively slated for Ratliff Stadium at 7:00 p.m. Our weekly preview will post on Monday.
Authors: Terry Alan, Gem Callahan
| BY QUARTER | |||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| Eastlake | 00 | 14 | 00 | 08 | 22 |
| Permian | 28 | 23 | 07 | 00 | 58 |
SCORING SUMMARY
First Quarter
PER – C Taylor 1 run (Munoz kick), 8:24
PER – D McDowell 20 run (Munoz kick), 7:32
PER – J Curry 15 run (Munoz kick), 6:09
PER – M Mendoza 48 punt return (Munoz kick), 5:00
Second Quarter
EPE – Pena 20 pass from Fajardo, 10:06
PER – McCoy 2pt conversion return, 10:06
PER – McDowell 38 pass from Vickers (Munoz kick), 9:00
EPE – Jones 21 pass from Fajardo (2pt conv), 4:17
PER – J Thompson 24 pass from Vickers (Munoz kick), 3:08
PER – McDowell 41 pass Vickers (Munoz kick), 1:27
Third Quarter
PER – Herrera 2 run (Munoz kick), 8:12
Fourth Quarter
EPE – Rivera 13 pass from Fajardo (Fajardo run), 8:45
| SPORTZ GAME STATS | ||
| EPE | PER | |
| First Downs | 12 | 17 |
| Total Yards | 222 | 391 |
| Rushing | 35 | 151 |
| Passing | 187 | 244 |
| C-A-I | 16-27-0 | 10-12-0 |
| Fumbles | 2-1 | 0-0 |
| Penalties | 2-11 | 3-35 |
Sportz Stats compiled by Terry Alan
