This Friday, Permian will visit the unfriendly confines of Midland’s Astound Broadband Stadium for a District 2-6A duel with the Legacy/Lee Rebels. It’s Week 3 of the district’s five-game slate.
Permian (6-1, 2-0) is riding a six-game win streak including last week’s 35-27 win over San Angelo Central. Legacy (3-4, 2-0) defeated Frenship 45-42 this past Friday. The Panthers and Rebels are the only remaining undefeated teams left in district. One will solely sit atop 2-6A… one step closer to claiming the title. The other will fall a game back, with just two left on the schedule.
The Permian-Midland Lee game is a legendary Texas high school football rivalry, historically featuring an intense battle that’s usually not decided until the final possession. Many times the annual event has had a direct influence on the district title and playoff berth placement. Friday night will mark the 65th anniversary of this rivalry.
THE HISTORY:
Both Odessa and Midland built new Class 5A high schools within a couple of years of each other. The Ector County ISD built Permian in northeast Odessa in 1959. The neighbors to the east followed two years later with the opening of Midland Lee in 1961. The Panthers and Rebels played each other in Lee’s inaugural season with Permian winning that meeting 48-14.
The two teams have now played each other 64 times with Permian owning a 39-24-1 advantage. The Panthers lost to the Rebels 49-38 last year, but the Black Cats won 32-31 in 2023. The last three years, the road team came out victors of the contest. Permian will be visitors this Friday.
TEAM COMPARISONS:
Permian has a tendency of starting slow in the first quarter, before exploding on opponents in the second frame. The Black Cats tap into their conditioning and unleash a second power surge in the final stanza. Legacy trends toward having a productive first quarter, with the second period being their best. The Rebels have been dropping off in the second half, particularly in the third quarter.
POINTS: Seven games into the 2025 season, Permian is averaging 32 points a game, while giving up an average of 20. The “Mojo D” is the best defense of all district teams this year. Legacy is averaging 30 points a game, while giving up an average of 42. Other than Odessa High, that’s the most points allowed by any defense in the district.
YARDAGE: Permian has been averaging 407 yards a game in total offense, that breaks down to 259 yards passing and 148 rushing yards. Meanwhile, Legacy has produced an average of 355 yards of total offense per game (238 passing and 117 rushing).
COMMON OPPONENTS:
The Panthers and Rebels have each played 5A power Abilene High in a non-district setting. Permian beat the Eagles 38-21, followed by Legacy beating them 42-28 a week later. San Angelo Central has met both teams in district play. First, the Bobcats lost to the Rebels 58-42 courtesy of a fourth quarter relapse. And then last week the Concho Cats fell prey to the Panthers 35-27.
OFFENSIVE ASSETS:
Legacy relies on quarterback JP Reyes (5-11, 185) to make things go. He has completed 106 passes out of his 189 attempts for 1,648 yards. Reyes averages 275 yards a game and has accounted for 15 touchdowns with five interceptions.
The junior signal caller has three worthy receivers in his arsenal – Caden Ellis (5-10, 160), sophomore Ja’Baylen Anders (6-2, 180), and junior Jermaine Laster (6-4, 175). Ellis has 18 receptions for 400 yards and six TDs. Anders has 22 catches for 393 yards with five touchdowns. Laster has 12 receptions for 262 yards and two TDs in just three games. He’s averaging 87 yards a game. Ellis will also handle kick returns.
While the Rebels throw twice as much as they run, they have a running back that offers a change of pace to keep defenses honest. Junior Hayes Hamm (5-9, 175) has 137 carries for 683 yards and four touchdowns. He also has 101 yards receiving. Hamm has been averaging 114 rushing yards a game.
Senior Nic Moore (5-11, 175) originally served as a running back for the Rebels. He has been spending extensive time in the defensive backfield as the season has progressed. With the anticipated wet weather conditions, Moore and Hamm may see their roles elevated in a more pronounced Legacy ground game.
DEFENSIVE ASSETS:
One thing the Rebel defense is not lacking is varsity experience. It’s a senior laden unit and most of the starters were there last year. Starting up front, Ben Cano (6-3, 210) has a reputation of staying in the face of opponent quarterbacks. He will be joined on the line by Gabriel Henry (6-4, 210). Henry and sophomore linebacker David Ihediwa (5-10, 190) lead the team in hurries and sacks. Ihediwa is a tackling machine and leads the Rebels in tackles with 65.
Legacy has a pair of talented defensive backs in seniors Trey Jefferson (6-1, 185) and Weldon Cooks (5-11, 185). Jefferson has logged 42 tackles with Cooks recording 41 tackles. Jefferson also has two interceptions on his resume. The duo thrive on the coaches calling safety blitzes. They are backed up by Moore in the defensive backfield. He also handles punt returns.
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN:
Look for moderate offensive production by both teams in the first quarter. Expect the haymakers to fly in the second frame. It’s the second quarter that has the potential to influence the night’s outcome more than any other quarter. After the intermission, the third stanza should favor the Panthers.
The Black Cats have had a strong and productive fourth quarter all season. Ball control and clock management in the final 12 minutes will be crucial in securing the victory in this rivalry game. *Untimely penalties and turnovers can greatly alter the outcome this Friday. Wet field conditions could also play a part.
GAME PREDICTION:
This week’s guest picker is Mike Griffis, Sheriff of Ector County. The sheriff is no stranger to Permian Basin football or this rivalry game. He was born and raised in Odessa, and has served the citizens of Odessa for 30 years.
The Sheriff’s take on the game:
“The Mojo vs. Lee rivalry has always been pretty intense, regardless of how each team was doing during the season. Mojo has shown me some great character this year and I am looking forward to a successful playoff run. Mojo will take the Rebels… 28-21! Go Mojo!“
THE MEDIA PICKS:
> Matt Stepp (Texas Football mag.) – Permian by 3.
> Cory McIntyre (KWES9) – Permian 38, Legacy 35
> Ethan Becker (KWES9) – Permian 38, Legacy 37
> Dalton Arredondo (KMID2) – Permian 42, Legacy 38
> Jensen Young (KOSA7) – Permian 45, Legacy 35
> Wyatt Nun (KOSA7) – Permian 34, Legacy 28
< Christopher Hadorn (MRT) – Legacy 35, Permian 34
< Randy Rosetta (HubCity Prep) – Legacy 38, Permian 35
< Jakob Brandenberg (KOSA7) – Legacy 38, Permian 35
< Trey Francis (KMID2) – Legacy 49, Permian 42
> Terry Alan (MojoLand) – Permian 31, Lee 24
= Consensus Pick (8-4) – Permian 37, Legacy 34
| SPORTZ WEATHER WATCH |
| FRIDAY, OCT 24 Thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. Gusty winds and hail are possible. High 73°F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 60%. UPDATED: 10/23/25 4:00 PM |
DISTRICT 2-6A WEEK 3 (10/24/25):
Permian (6-1, 2-0) @ Midland Legacy (3-4, 2-0)
*Don’t forget it’s General Admission seating. Arrive Early! Be Loud!
Midland High (2-5, 1-1) @ San Angelo Central (3-4, 0-2)
Frenship (3-4, 1-1) @ Odessa High (0-7, 0-2)
*All Games 7:30 p.m. Kickoff
