Vandegrift Vipers senior wide receiver Peyton Ausley (6) leaps to bring in a would-be touchdown pass as Permian Panthers cornerback Christian Tschauner (5) breaks it up in the corner of the end zone during a high school football game between the Permian Panthers and the Vandegrift Vipers at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas, on Friday, September 1, 2017.
Vipers’ 2nd-half rally falls short against Permian
By SCOTT W. COLEMAN
Four Points News
Despite a tough loss on the road to Odessa’s famed Permian Panthers, there was no time for players to hang their heads on Friday night.
Vandegrift head coach Drew Sanders stood on the turf of Ratliff Stadium Friday night, after Permian regained the lead for the final time to win 28-24, and told his team to keep their heads high.
“You were that close,” Sanders said, reminding the Vipers that they’d fell into a two-touchdown hole in the first half. “That’s a really good team. You were that close to winning.”
The Vandegrift Vipers cheerleaders on the sidelines during a high school football game between the Permian Panthers and the Vandegrift Vipers at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas, on Friday, September 1, 2017.
The Vandegrift Vipers take the field before a high school football game between the Permian Panthers and the Vandegrift Vipers at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas, on Friday, September 1, 2017.
Vandegrift Vipers junior wide receiver Reese Watson (81) runs free to score a touchdown on a double-pass play from Peyton Ausley during a high school football game between the Permian Panthers and the Vandegrift Vipers at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas, on Friday, September 1, 2017.
The Vandegrift Vipers cheerleaders on the sidelines during a high school football game between the Permian Panthers and the Vandegrift Vipers at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas, on Friday, September 1, 2017.
With a new starting quarterback and several new players on the offensive line, Vandegrift got off to a slow start. But, the defense kept the Vipers in the game, forcing three turnovers and holding the Panthers triple-option attack mostly in check.
Quarterback Justin Moore got the Vipers on the board late in the second quarter with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Justin Florence. The Vipers struck twice in the third quarter, including a 59-yard double-pass play from Peyton Ausley to Reese Watson that gave Vandegrift its first lead of the game.
Permian running back Ed Williams responded early in the fourth, running 30 yards for a touchdown to even the score at 21-21 before Alex Stradhaus kicked a 28-yard field goal midway through the final quarter to lift Vandegrift to a 24-21 lead. Permian quarterback Steve Steen tossed the game-winning 23-yard touchdown with just 1:22 remaining on the clock. Vandegrift wasn’t able to recover.
“It’s fun to fight back,” Sanders said. “To be able to fight back from 14 points down and take the lead… I know we lost at the end, but it says a lot about the character of these guys.”
Sanders had nothing but praise for his new quarterback, as well as for a defense that he said stood their ground for most of the game against.
“We broke down (on) some (plays), but it’s just the first game,” Sanders said. “Unfortunately, when you play good people, you just can’t overcome as many mistakes as we made tonight.”
Vandegrift returns to action on Friday, hosting Cedar Park for the team’s home opener at Monroe Stadium. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.
Vandegrift Vipers senior defensive lineman Zach Hildebrand (55) erupts in celebration on the sideline following a Vandegrift touchdown during a high school football game between the Permian Panthers and the Vandegrift Vipers at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas, on Friday, September 1, 2017.
Vandegrift Vipers fans who made the long trip to Odessa watch the action from the stands during a high school football game between the Permian Panthers and the Vandegrift Vipers at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas, on Friday, September 1, 2017.
Vandegrift Vipers fans who made the long trip to Odessa watch the action from the stands during a high school football game between the Permian Panthers and the Vandegrift Vipers at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas, on Friday, September 1, 2017.
The Vandegrift Vipers cheerleaders on the sidelines during a high school football game between the Permian Panthers and the Vandegrift Vipers at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas, on Friday, September 1, 2017.
Vandegrift Vipers junior wide receiver Reese Watson (81) leaps for a would-be touchdown pass as Permian Panthers Seth Higdon (21) defends the play in the end zone during a high school football game between the Permian Panthers and the Vandegrift Vipers at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas, on Friday, September 1, 2017.
Vandegrift Vipers head coach Drew Sanders talks to the team following the high school football game between the Permian Panthers and the Vandegrift Vipers at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas, on Friday, September 1, 2017.
Permian Panthers running back Branden Smith (15) picks up a fumble in the backfield as Vandegrift Vipers senior defensive lineman Osorachukwu Ifesinachukwu (9) and Alex Stadhaus (88) look on during a high school football game between the Permian Panthers and the Vandegrift Vipers at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas, on Friday, September 1, 2017.
Vandegrift Vipers senior quarterback Justin Moore (12) prepares to take a snap during a high school football game between the Permian Panthers and the Vandegrift Vipers at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas, on Friday, September 1, 2017.
Vandegrift Vipers senior defensive lineman Osorachukwu Ifesinachukwu (9) wrestles down Permian Panthers quarterback Steve Steen (25) in the backfield during a high school football game between the Permian Panthers and the Vandegrift Vipers at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas, on Friday, September 1, 2017.
Vandegrift Vipers fans who made the long trip to Odessa watch the action from the stands during a high school football game between the Permian Panthers and the Vandegrift Vipers at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas, on Friday, September 1, 2017.
The Vandegrift Vipers defense celebrates recovering a fumble for a turnover during a high school football game between the Permian Panthers and the Vandegrift Vipers at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas, on Friday, September 1, 2017.
A group of Vandegrift Vipers defenders tackle Permian Panthers receiver Justin Hammond (4) during a high school football game between the Permian Panthers and the Vandegrift Vipers at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas, on Friday, September 1, 2017.
The Vandegrift Vipers cheerleaders on the sidelines during a high school football game between the Permian Panthers and the Vandegrift Vipers at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas, on Friday, September 1, 2017.
The Vandegrift sideline erupts in celebration following a Vandegrift touchdown during a high school football game between the Permian Panthers and the Vandegrift Vipers at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas, on Friday, September 1, 2017.