It didn't take long for Mojo to make its intentions clear Friday night.
Permian opened the 2026 season with a convincing 38-7 victory over Amarillo Tascosa at Ratliff Stadium, turning what began as a back-and-forth opening into a one-sided night in Odessa.
Tascosa managed an early answer to Permian's first touchdown.
After that, it was all Mojo.
A little trickery gets Mojo started
Permian didn't wait long to reach into the playbook.
Kayden Vickers took a reverse and passed the football to Aaron Navarrette, who then found Dae Dae McDowell for the Panthers' first touchdown of the 2026 season.
Yes, you read that correctly.
A reverse. A pass. Another pass. Touchdown.
Tascosa responded with a touchdown on its first possession, drawing even and briefly suggesting the season opener might turn into a fight.
Permian had other plans.
The Panthers shut the Rebels out for the remainder of the night and steadily pulled away.
Panthers take control
Once Permian settled in, Tascosa struggled to find answers on either side of the football.
The Panthers continued adding points while their defense slammed the door on the Rebels' offense.
Mark Herrera, Landen Thompson and Cayden Taylor were among the Panthers finding the end zone as Permian transformed the early 7-7 game into a rout.
By the time it was over, the scoreboard at Ratliff Stadium read: PERMIAN 38 TASCOSA 7
For a Permian team entering 2026 with expectations of defending its District 2-6A championship and making another November run, it was about as convincing an opening statement as the Panthers could have wanted.
Picking up where Mojo left off
Permian entered this season needing to replace some significant production from the team that made a playoff run in 2025.
But the program also returned a promising junior class and entered the fall with expectations of competing for a second consecutive district championship.
Friday night provided the first evidence that this year's Panthers intend to remain in that conversation. The offense produced 38 points. The defense surrendered only one touchdown.
And after Tascosa answered Permian's opening score, the Panthers outscored the Rebels 31-0 the rest of the way.
That's how you start a season at Ratliff.
Mojo hits the road
Permian leaves Week 1 at 1-0 overall and 0-0 in District 2-6A, with district play still ahead.
The Panthers won't have the comfort of Ratliff Stadium next week.
Permian travels to Killeen Harker Heights on Friday, Sept. 4, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
One game into 2026, Mojo is undefeated.
And after allowing Tascosa to score once Friday night, Permian spent the rest of the evening making sure it stayed that way.
Permian opened the 2026 season with a convincing 38-7 victory over Amarillo Tascosa at Ratliff Stadium, turning what began as a back-and-forth opening into a one-sided night in Odessa.
Tascosa managed an early answer to Permian's first touchdown.
After that, it was all Mojo.
A little trickery gets Mojo started
Permian didn't wait long to reach into the playbook.
Kayden Vickers took a reverse and passed the football to Aaron Navarrette, who then found Dae Dae McDowell for the Panthers' first touchdown of the 2026 season.
Yes, you read that correctly.
A reverse. A pass. Another pass. Touchdown.
Tascosa responded with a touchdown on its first possession, drawing even and briefly suggesting the season opener might turn into a fight.
Permian had other plans.
The Panthers shut the Rebels out for the remainder of the night and steadily pulled away.
Panthers take control
Once Permian settled in, Tascosa struggled to find answers on either side of the football.
The Panthers continued adding points while their defense slammed the door on the Rebels' offense.
Mark Herrera, Landen Thompson and Cayden Taylor were among the Panthers finding the end zone as Permian transformed the early 7-7 game into a rout.
By the time it was over, the scoreboard at Ratliff Stadium read: PERMIAN 38 TASCOSA 7
For a Permian team entering 2026 with expectations of defending its District 2-6A championship and making another November run, it was about as convincing an opening statement as the Panthers could have wanted.
Picking up where Mojo left off
Permian entered this season needing to replace some significant production from the team that made a playoff run in 2025.
But the program also returned a promising junior class and entered the fall with expectations of competing for a second consecutive district championship.
Friday night provided the first evidence that this year's Panthers intend to remain in that conversation. The offense produced 38 points. The defense surrendered only one touchdown.
And after Tascosa answered Permian's opening score, the Panthers outscored the Rebels 31-0 the rest of the way.
That's how you start a season at Ratliff.
Mojo hits the road
Permian leaves Week 1 at 1-0 overall and 0-0 in District 2-6A, with district play still ahead.
The Panthers won't have the comfort of Ratliff Stadium next week.
Permian travels to Killeen Harker Heights on Friday, Sept. 4, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
One game into 2026, Mojo is undefeated.
And after allowing Tascosa to score once Friday night, Permian spent the rest of the evening making sure it stayed that way.
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