For the third time Permian and El Paso Eastlake will meet in the Bi-District Round of the Class 6A Division I state playoffs. The Panthers will host the Falcons on November 13 at Ratliff Stadium.
The second season has officially arrived on the high-octane Texas gridiron. Fresh off a 31-8 dismantling of San Angelo Central, top-seeded Permian (10-0) completed their first goal – capturing the undefeated District 2-6A crown. El Paso Eastlake (7-3) clinched the fourth seed of District 1-6A, after defeating El Paso Montwood 42-21 in their district finale.
This will mark the third consecutive year that the Panthers and Falcons have crossed paths in the opening round of the state playoffs, and the fifth time in three seasons overall. Mojo holds an unblemished 4-0 record in the series, outscoring the Falcons by a combined margin of 165-89. The Black Cats claimed a 41-21 win in 2024, and last year dished out a 56-7 slaughter.
Permian enters the post-season with a perfect 5-0 mark at home this year, maintaining a ruthless +145 point differential in front of the Ratliff Stadium crowd.
The Black Cats are still maintaining a balanced attack between pass and run. The Falcons bring an explosive but chaotic offensive identity from the Sun City that will test the Panthers’ discipline.
– YARDAGE: The Panthers produce 435 yards of total offense per game, balanced perfectly between 235 yards passing and 200 rushing yards. The Falcons have been engineering 386 total yards per game, tilting toward a 244-yard passing average while still offering a 142-yard rushing threat.
– POINTS: Permian is maintaining a lethal 40.6-point offensive average, while holding opponents to 16 points per game. The Eastlake offense is producing a 33.9-point average, and the defense gives up 33.7 points a game.
Both Permian and Eastlake defeated Midland Lee this season. The Panthers claimed a 42-10 victory, and the Falcons pulled out a 51-48 decision over the Rebels. However, as Mojo handed a 38-24 lashing to Pebble Hills, Eastlake fell prey 45-7 to the Spartans.
To counter the shortcomings in their defense, Eastlake likes to run quick-tempo sets out of the spread when they have the ball. Two-year starting quarterback Julian Williams (6-2, 170) was having no problem slinging the rock until an injury sidelined the senior.
When on the field, he was the nucleus of the offense and the spark that made the Falcons offense go. With a good arm and the ability to extend plays, Williams has completed 100 of 161 pass attempts (62%) for 1,554 yards. He has thrown 19 TD’s with only two interceptions. Complementing his passing, Williams has decent foot speed and has 214 rushing yards from 51 carries with four touchdowns.
In Williams’ absence, Johnny Fajardo (5-9, 150) has taken over under-center. Just a sophomore, he has completed 80 of his 141 passes for 1,162 yards with 12 touchdowns and three picks. Insiders in El Paso indicate that the Panthers will likely see the return of a more experienced Williams.
Other than Williams, Julian Melendez and Brandon Briceno are the main ball carriers. Melendez has 100 carries for 397 yards (44.1 yds/game) with four TDs, while Briceno rushed for 115 yards on 24 carries (23 yds/game) including a touchdown.
Eastlake has a full depth chart of receivers for either QB to target. Leading the corp is Albert Jones (6-0, 170) and Ethan Rivera (5-9, 155). Jones has 39 receptions for 557 yards and Rivera adds 33 catches for 490 yards. They each have seven touchdowns.
Handling dual duties as kick returners and receivers are Diego Diharce (6-0, 170) and Jaiden Trotter (6-0, 160). Diharce has logged 432 yards from 20 catches and six TDs. Trotter has seen 22 receptions for 386 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Christian Wegmann donates 18 catches for 251 yards and three TDs.
The Falcons try to run a smothering 3-4 defense, but size has tended to be a hindrance in several match ups. Eastlake has a pair of linebackers that standout. Zaid Rangel (5-10, 180) and Carlos Gandarilla (6-2, 180) constantly disrupt the linear playing field. Rangel’s resume includes 80 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, and two picks. Gandarilla has 60 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, and a pair of interceptions.
The Panthers will need to secure the trenches from Jose Olivas (5-11 190), Seven Thrower (6-3 190), and Leonidus Silva. Olivas is responsible for 55 tackles and a tackle for loss; Thrower has 4.0 sacks with two hurries; and Silva has 54 tackles, 4.0 tackles for a loss, and 4.0 sacks.
The Falcons have a secondary made up of Hector Alvarez (5-10, 170), Nick Pena (5-9, 155), and Isaiah Evans (5-9, 160). They have good speed and have accounted for eight interceptions. Alvarez has 85 tackles and three interceptions, Pena recorded 42 tackles and five picks this season, and Evans has contributed another 73 tackles.
Sophomore Demien Anchondo handles kicking duties for the Falcons. He has made 37 of his 41 point-after tries. He has only attempted a pair of field goals, and made one of them from 37 yards out.
The “Mojo D” is prepping two completely distinct game films this week. Securing the edges against Fajardo’s horizontal bootleg game requires a vastly different leverage rule than defending Williams’ deep vertical routes.
On the other side of the ball, Eastlake’s defensive front anchors struggle significantly when pulled out of their static alignments. If Mojo can establish perimeter dominance early, it sets up the long ball to dissect the interior. Look for Mojo to aggressively establish inside zone runs with Josh Curry and Cayden Taylor to wear down the lighter El Paso front.
The Falcons have given up 40+ points three separate times this season in losses to Eastwood (42), Pebble Hills (45), and Franklin (37).
Authors: Griz Merrick, T Alan
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