The Permian Panthers begin their 2026 season Friday night in Odessa, welcoming the Amarillo Tascosa Rebels for a 7 p.m. kickoff and the first real test for this year's edition of Mojo.

Months of offseason work have led to this.

The practices are nearly finished. The depth chart has taken shape. The preseason evaluations have been made.

Now Permian gets four quarters under the lights to find out where it stands.

An opportunity to set the tone​

Opening night isn't supposed to produce a finished product.

What Permian will want to see is a team capable of playing disciplined football from the start.

That means protecting the football, avoiding drive-killing penalties and executing assignments when the game begins moving considerably faster than it did during August practices.

For the Panthers' offense, establishing consistency early could be especially important. Long possessions don't just produce scoring opportunities — they allow Permian to control tempo and keep its defense fresh.

On the other side of the ball, the Panthers will want to prevent Tascosa from generating the kind of early momentum that can turn a season opener into a fight.

And if Permian gets an opportunity to take control, finishing drives will matter.

Friday night at Ratliff​

Permian doesn't need an introduction to Ratliff Stadium.

Few venues are more closely associated with West Texas high school football, and Friday night gives the Panthers their first opportunity of 2026 to defend their home turf.

There will be plenty of football played at Ratliff this fall, including games carrying much larger postseason implications.

But opening night has its own energy.

It's the first time the crowd sees the new team. The first time offseason questions begin receiving real answers. And the first opportunity for players who waited behind last year's starters to make Friday night their own.

For some Panthers, Friday will be another game at Ratliff.

For others, it will be the night they've been waiting for.

Mojo's road begins here​

Eventually, the conversation around Permian will turn toward District 2-6A.

It always does.

The Panthers will have Lee, Midland High, Odessa High and San Angelo Central waiting once district play arrives, and those games will ultimately determine Permian's path toward the postseason.

Friday isn't about any of them.

It's about Tascosa.

The non-district schedule gives Permian time to establish its identity, develop depth and correct problems before every possession begins carrying district consequences.

A win Friday would be the ideal first step.

More importantly, the Panthers want to leave Ratliff knowing they're a better football team than the one that entered it.

The offseason is over.

Mojo football is back.

Amarillo Tascosa Rebels at Permian Panthers
Friday, Aug. 28 — 7 p.m.
Ratliff Stadium — Odessa, Texas

First & Crude will have coverage following Friday night's season opener.