1981 - Odessa Permian vs Lewisville Farmers Playoffs (Last Permian game at Barrett Stadium)

1981 Odessa Permian finished the year undefeated but eliminated from the playoffs. Permian moved on into the 1982 season with a 29 game unbeaten. Ranked #5 in the State in the Harris Poll.

This 1981 state playoff game between the undefeated Permian Panthers and the Lewisville Fighting Farmers ended in a 14-14 tie. Despite Permian not being defeated on the scoreboard, Lewisville advanced to the next round of the playoffs based on the first down tiebreaker, having amassed 19 first downs to Permian's 14. (Penetrations, the first tie-breaker, were tied at 3-3). The game, played before an estimated 15,000 fans, was an emotional end to the season for Permian, who were eliminated due to what their coach called a "technicality."

Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring
• First Quarter
o Permian: Dale Carr, 4-yard run. (Bobby Knott kick).
• Second Quarter
-Lewisville: Bren Beal 12 yard run. (Garcia Kick successful).
 Time Left: 6:05
• Third Quarter
o Lewisville: Duwane Murphy, 32-yard run. (Garcia Kick successful).
 Time Left: 8:31
o Permian: Dale Carr, 1-yard run. (Bobby Knott kick).

Scoring Summary
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Permian 7 0 7 0 14
Lewisville 0 7 7 0 14
• P - Dale Carr 4 run (Bobby Knott kick)
• L - Bren Beal 12 yard run. (Garcia Kick successful).
• L - Duwane Murphy 32 run (kick)
• P - Dale Carr 1 yard run (Bobby Knott kick)

Keys to the Game
• Lewisville : Lewisville dominated on the ground, rushing for 290 yards. This rushing attack allowed them to control the ball and, most importantly, rack up 19 first downs. This total won them the tiebreaker and the game. Their defense was also crucial, forcing two interceptions.
• Permian : Permian lost the battle at the line of scrimmage, being out-rushed 290-169. While their defense forced a fumble, the offense's two interceptions (one described as a key missed opportunity) and inability to consistently move the chains resulted in only 14 first downs, sealing their elimination.

Key Plays
• Lewisville's Fumbled Punt: Midway through the 3rd quarter, with Permian trailing 14-7, Lewisville's Donald Hooden fumbled a punt. Permian's Mike Troglin recovered at the Lewisville 41-yard line.
• Permian's Game-Tying Drive: Following Troglin’s fumble recovery, Permian's "workhorse" Dale Carr carried the ball four straight times, eventually punching it in from the 1-yard line to tie the game 14-14.
• Lewisville's Go-Ahead TD: Lewisville's Duwane Murphy broke free for a 32-yard touchdown run with 8:31 left in the 3rd quarter, giving the Farmers their only lead of the game.
• Permian's First Quarter Interception: The article noted that Permian QB "Brown" threw an interception in the first quarter after the team had driven to the Lewisville 13-yard line, costing them a potential score.

Key Themes
• Advancing on a Technicality: The central theme was the frustration and "technicality" of being eliminated from the playoffs via a tiebreaker (first downs) rather than a loss on the field.
• Permian's Tradition: The article heavily emphasizes the "legend" of Permian football, noting they had been to the playoffs 11 times in 23 seasons and that "The tradition is still very much alive."
• Dominance on the Ground: Lewisville's 290 rushing yards proved to be the deciding factor, allowing them to sustain drives, control the clock, and earn the 19 first downs they needed to advance.

Statistical Breakdown
Stat Permian Lewisville
First Downs 14 19
Penetrations 3 3
Rushing Yards 169 290
Passing Yards 25 10
Passes (C-A-I) 2-7-2 1-4-0
Punts-Avg. 3-36.8 2-31.5
Fumbles-Lost 0 1
Penalties-Yards 2-10 4-30

Significant Events
• The Tiebreaker: The game's outcome was decided by the second tiebreaker, first downs (19-14 for Lewisville), after the teams were tied 3-3 on penetrations.
• "The Great Snap Count Controversy": A specific penalty-filled drive in the first half where both teams were flagged for issues related to the quarterback's cadence and defensive shifts, ultimately leading to Lewisville's first touchdown.

Key Quotations
• "Obviously, that's a matter of a technicality." - John Wilkins (Permian Coach), on advancing via first downs.
• "We still haven't been beaten in 29 games, yet they get to go on and we stay home. That's part of the playoffs." - John Wilkins (Permian Coach)
• "We got the pass intercepted when we could have got the field goal." - John Wilkins (Permian Coach)
• "We were trying to snap the ball on the first sound... but with them doing that, you couldn't." - Neal Wilson (Lewisville Coach), on the snap count controversy.
-"All we were saying was, 'Move,' We were shifting into another defense, and they gave us a penalty. So, instead of 'Move" we said '80." John Wilkins
• "I lost control of myself, as well as the team in the first half... But once we stopped that, we played as we were capable of." - Neal Wilson (Lewisville Coach)
• "The tradition is still very much alive. That streak is something to be proud of, and we hope we can continue it." - John Wilkins (Permian Coach)