Joel A. says: Better defense and victories; it's not a coincidence

To find the turning point in the Permian season, to find the night that turned the Panthers into a playoff team, we have to take a look back.

Back before Permian won four straight.

Before Colby Pyron’s field goal against Midland Lee, before the Panthers dropped the Rumble at Ratliff, before the bye week even began.

To the night that Heath Herrington rolled up 253 rushing yards to lead Amarillo High’s roaring comeback at Dick Bivins Stadium.

Right after that game, the defense looked shell-shocked.

But the Panthers’ defense began its transformation that night.

Leading into the Rumble at Ratliff against Odessa High, the Permian coaching staff made the decision to move 5-foot-8, 165-pound backup safety Carson Brown into the starting lineup at outside linebacker.

Brown responded with 14 tackles against Odessa High.

Trying to get more speed on the field, the Panthers moved backup cornerback Ruben Johnson, a 5-10, 168-pound senior to the other outside linebacker spot.

Couple those two personnel moves with a defensive line that started to play faster, more relentless football, and the Permian defense transformed.

From a unit that let Herrington become the most prolific back in District 2-5A into a team that stops the run first and allows its experienced secondary to take care of the pass.

Just take a look at the numbers.

Throwing the Odessa High loss into the first five games, Permian was giving up 327.2 yards per game, including 200.2 yards per game on the ground.

And that took control of the game out of the Panthers’ hands.

Beating the Panthers up on the ground put points on the board, but it also kept the Panthers’ quick-strike offense off of the field and left the defense gasping for breath in between series.

Now, take a look at the four-game winning streak Permian has put together to clinch a playoff berth.

 Through those four games against Midland Lee, Lubbock High, Lubbock Coronado and Amarillo Tascosa, Permian has allowed just 74.8 rushing yards per game, limited opponents to a paltry 2.7 yards-per-carry and only given up four rushing touchdowns.

Forcing opponents to throw the ball almost exclusively to make up for the lack of production, the Panthers have been able to tee off on opposing quarterbacks to the tune of 15 sacks in four games.

And the Panthers’ experienced secondary — Brennan Welch, Thomas Munoz, Richard Murry and Colby Pyron all saw significant playing time last season — hasn’t wilted under the increased pressure.

Even though Permian has given up some yards, the Panthers have only allowed opponents to pick up 5.7 yards-per-attempt through the air. In the spread, 8.0 yards-per-attempt is the benchmark for a successful passing game.

Put that combination together, and the Panthers have only allowed 13.5 points-per-game during the streak.

That’s the defense Permian is bringing to Ratliff tonight, to face arguably the most diversely-talented offense the Panthers have tried to stop since the OHS game.

But Midland High better be ready.

Because this isn’t the same defense that Heath Herrington shredded.

Not even close.