The Crosstown Showdown now looms on the horizon for Permian and Odessa High as the District 2-6A race continues. The annual rivalry game is set for October 16 at Ratliff Stadium with a 7:00 p.m. start.
This year’s Rumble could very well be more a Murmur at Ratliff. It will be the 68th rivalry meeting with the Panthers owning a 56–10-1 all-time record over the Bronchos.
The two teams enter the contest touting opposite streaks. Permian (7-0, 1-0) is riding a red hot seven-game win streak. Odessa High (2-4, 0-1) is on a four-game skid (FIVE, if you were to include the 37-0 halftime cancellation against San Antonio Johnson). The Black Cats are coming off of a 42-10 disposal of Midland Lee, while the Bronchos lost 47-13 to Midland High. The last win for OHS was back in Week 2 against El Paso Coronado (19-11).
In the 2025 season, Odessa High finished with a 0-5 district record (1-9 overall) which included a 49-7 loss to Permian. The Bronchos took a 50-26 thumping by the Panthers in 2024. It would take overtime back in 2023 to decide city bragging rights when OHS mounted a 49-42 come-from-behind win. It was the first crosstown win by the Litl’ Red Ponies in a decade, which dated back to 2013.
TEAM COMPARISONS:
After seven weeks of football, the Black Cats are maintaining a balanced attack between pass and run. The Bronchos on the other hand are still in search of an identity. They’re not afraid to run the ball, but lean more on aerial haymakers downfield. OHS is currently suffering from a backfield in turmoil.
– POINTS: Permian is maintaining a lethal 39.6-point offensive average, while holding opponents to 19.3 points per game. The OHS offense is mustering a 25.3-point average, and the defense gives up 34.3 points a game.
| POINTS BY QUARTER | |||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| Bronchos | 3 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 25 |
| Panthers | 10 | 13 | 8 | 9 | 40 |
– YARDAGE: The Black Cats produce 427 yards of total offense per game, balanced perfectly between 222 yards passing and 205 rushing yards. The Bronchos have manufactured 231 total yards per game, tilting toward a 124-yard passing mark while preserving a 107-yard rushing threat.
OFFENSIVE ASSETS:
Permian could see junior quarterback Phillip Carrasco (5-10, 170), senior J’Zavian Kelly (5-10, 170), or senior Ashton Hernandez-Verdejo (5-11, 175) under center for the Bronchos. Carrasco picked up varsity experience last year and has decent aerial range. He’s not afraid to tuck the ball and run. Kelly has made intermittent appearances in non-district with limited success throwing the rock. It was Ashton that had the best showing against Midland High last week.
Their primary running back is Ayden Garcia (5-8, 160), who leads the ground game with 73.8 rushing yards a game. He backs that up with 23 receiving yards a game coming out of the backfield.
The Bronchos have a couple of vertical weapons like Sebastian Ortega (5-7, 140) and QB-turned-WR Joe Ortega (5-8, 145). Sebastian averages 33.0 yards a game receiving, while Joe trails closely behind him with 31.5 yards. Both of the Ortegas have the ability to reel off long gains down the seams. Other potential receiving targets are Anthony Martinez (5-10, 170) and Uriel Rivera (5-9, 150).
DEFENSIVE ASSETS:
Senior edge-rusher Ayden Robb (6-0, 205) sets his sights on opponent offensive backfields. The interior defensive workhorses are middle linebackers Devin Padilla (5-10, 185), Rigo Herrera (5-9, 170), and Lionel Green (5-10, 160). Padilla leads the Broncho defense with 39 tackles (9.8/game). Herrera and Green each have 24 tackles (6.0/game), with Green having four tackles for loss.
Junior defensive backs Andrew Rios (5-10, 165) and Adrian Escandon (5-9, 165) are responsible for monitoring the airwaves. Rios averages 7.5 tackles per game, including three tackles for loss. Escandon has recorded four interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and averages 5.8 tackles a game.
GAME NOTES:
Carrasco and Kelly struggle immensely when defenses can generate immediate pressure out of a standard four-man front without blitzing. In the Cooper, Compass Prep, and Midland High games, when edge rushers got home early, their downfield efficiency dropped off a cliff in a hurry.
This is a dream scenario for Permian’s defensive game plan. If the interior front plays with their signature physical dominance, they can easily duplicate what Cooper and Midland did — choking out the run and forcing OHS quarterbacks into hurried throws into the abyss.
PRIORITY RED:
Keep in mind… if for any game on the schedule, there’s The One every year that Odessa High circles at the beginning of the season – MOJO vs. BIG RED. It’s Eastside versus Westside, it’s the cross-town showdown, and it’s city bragging rights on the line… a Broncho hopeful rite of passage.
The days of “that one bad call” or “we got a bad spot” that was to be blamed for a loss have long faded. The most dangerous opponent the Black Cats will face the remainder of district is going to be themselves. Focus and discipline are going to be tested. Again… the most dangerous opponent Mojo will face is themselves. And, focus and discipline will be tested.
As with most of the annual rivalry games between Permian and Odessa High, Ratliff Stadium under the Friday Night Lights is expecting a near capacity crowd of roughly 17,000 fans. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. The Panthers are designated as Home Team.
Authors: T Alan, Gem
TWO CENTS WORTH:
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STADIUM TRAFFIC FLOW:
Traffic going to the game will be controlled starting at 5:30 p.m. At that time, all traffic flow will be “IN ONLY” until just prior to the game starting. Permian will be seated on the west ‘press box’ side of the stadium, and OHS will be seated on the east ‘visitor’ side.
Permian fans need to approach the stadium from the West and enter the stadium at the Northwest Gate and west side of the Main Gate.
Odessa High fans need to approach from the East and will enter the stadium at the East Gate and east side of Main Gate.
*There will be No crossover traffic inside the stadium.
When the game is over, the traffic flow will be “OUT ONLY” until the majority of fans have exited. Parents wanting to drop off and pick up children should expect delays getting in and out of the stadium.
See Before and After maps below:
Click/Tap for larger image
Ratliff Stadium – ECISD Policies & Regulations
