Vandegrift at Odessa Permian
Friday, Sept. 1, 7 p.m.
Ratliff Stadium
1862 E Yukon Rd, Odessa, TX 79765

Vandegrift will start the season with plenty of experience on both sides of the ball, but with a new quarterback and looking for new leaders in key roles.

On the other side of the field, the Permian Panthers return eight offensive and nine defensive starters from last year’s 6-4 campaign that ended with a pair of strong wins over rivals in District 2-6A play. However, those two wins were the only district wins the Panthers managed. None of the 2-6A playoff teams fared well in the postseason, with San Angelo Central as the lone team to reach the third round.

The Panthers’ dual-threat quarterback Steve Steen returns, along with a pair of running backs, Brother Miller and Ed Williams, who combined for 13 touchdowns last season despite Miller missing half the season with a torn ACL.

Then-juniors Justin Florence (22) and Ben Cross (2) celebrated a touchdown during last year’s season opener as Vandegrift played host to the Permian Panthers. This week, the Vipers will open the season on the road in Odessa at the home of the iconic team that inspired books, television series and a big-screen adaptation.

Linebackers Tanner Adams and Preston Ellison are expected to lead the defense, while defensive end O’Ryan Farley returns after recording eight sacks last season.

That combination is one of the reasons the Panthers are predicted to go from missing the postseason in 2016 to winning the district title this year.

The long road trip — 335 miles — will provide plenty of opportunity for the Vipers to prepare for a season-opener that should provide ample opportunity to showcase their abilities on a large stage, with Fox Sports Network’s “Football Day in Texas” broadcast featuring live look-ins periodically throughout the game at Odessa’s Ratliff Stadium.

Vandegrift head coach Drew Sanders noted the team’s excitement for the trip and for the opportunity to play the Panthers again after falling 21-20 in last year’s Week 1 contest.

“It’s always about being mentally prepared for success and going 1-0 each week,” Sanders said. “We proved we could do well against them last year (and) we expect to perform well again.”