Odessa Permian Panthers
Head Coach: Jeff Ellison (9th season; 66-29 record)
Last Season: 11-2; 5-0 in district (Lost to Allen in regional semifinals)
Returning Lettermen: 35 (7 returning starters on offense; 6 on defense)
Permian Key Players and Storylines
Permian continues to bat 1.000 when it comes to making the playoffs under head coach Jeff Ellison. The Panthers are now eight-for-eight in that regard, but last year was significant. The Panthers won an area round game and advanced to the third round of playoffs for the first time since 2014.
With 35 lettermen and 13 starters back from that group, expectations are high again.
Offensively, the Panthers do have to replace a 2,000-yard passer and a 1,600-yard rusher, but junior Aaron Navarette is a star in the making at receiver after leading the Panthers with 62 catches for 1,088 yards as a sophomore.
Permian’s coaching staff has full confidence senior Kayden Vickers (963 passing yards and nine touchdowns) is ready to take the starting quarterback role after he set a school record with 383 passing yards in Permian’s bi-district win over Eastlake last year.
Bi district highlights
Stats:
13/17 passing /383 passing yards /4 td’shttps://t.co/sFGoCVELf8 pic.twitter.com/a6Fqb3XIJe— Kayden Vickers (@KaydenVick86567) November 16, 2025
Up front, 6’1”, 290-pound tackle Alexx Dominguez and 6’4”, 310-pound guard Max Sotelo both earned all-district honors as sophomores last season.
Defensively, the Panthers will lean on a trio of playmakers in the secondary in safety Malachi Mendoza (68 tackles, two TFLs), last year’s Defensive Newcomer of the year, and cornerbacks Nata Cardoza (50 tackles) and Izeyah McCoy (70 tackles).
Linebacker Bryson Gonzalez (72 tackles) is expected to be their leading playmaker in the middle of the field alongside Zephaniah DeLeon (67 tackles), while 6’3”, 230-pound defensive end Elijah Marquez (54 tackles, two sacks) is Permian’s best pass rush threat.
Last year’s success combined with a strong junior class coming through the ranks has Permian excited about what is to come in 2026. A second-straight district title will be the expectation along with more playoff victories come November.
Permian 2026 Football Schedule
*- Denotes District 2-6A Contest
8/28 vs. Tascosa 7:00 p.m.
9/4 @ Killeen Harker Heights 7:00 p.m.
9/11 @ Abilene High 7:00 p.m.
9/18 vs. El Paso Pebble Hills 7:00 pm.
9/25 vs. Arizona Compass Prep 7:00 p.m.
10/1 vs. Camden Panthers (N.J.) 7:00
*10/9 @ Midland Lee 7:00 p.m.
*10/16 vs. Odessa 7:00 p.m.
*10/23 @ Midland High 7:00 p.m.
*11/6 vs. San Angelo Central
