Permian, North Mesquite headline 4-5A contests

By Bill Hart
Staff Writer

Mark Elam has been the head football coach at North Mesquite for seven years, long enough to turn the Stallions from laughing stock to No. 1 in the state.

They've gone from 0-10 in 1990 to 11-3 last season and preseason No. 1 this season.

The Stallions have a roster loaded with Division I prospects, led by running back Jason Coffey who rushed for 2,209 yards and scored 31 touchdowns last year as a junior. They also have linebacker Josh Spoerl (6-2, 229) and 15 other returning starters.

But now comes the real test.

Tonight when the Stallions stare across the field at Memorial Stadium, they'll not only be looking at the state's second-ranked team, they'll be staring at a West Texas legend: Mojo.

The game between North Mesquite and Odessa Permian is easily the most anticipated of the season, and one that's been talked about ever since last season. The game was even the topic of a few press box conversations last December when some Metroplex coaches showed up at the Division I state championship game between Permian and Converse Judson.

Elam, the former Abilene High head baseball coach (1980-81), wanted a game with Permian in order to showcase a program he thinks has reached a level with the top teams in the state.

"Of course, we haven't won anything like they have," Elam said. "But I thought it would be a great opportunity for our program to have a showcase game. I coached at Abilene High and San Angelo Central (1979), so I have a little bit of a background with them.

"When I thought about scheduling the game, all the positives outweighed any negatives," he said. "It's great exposure for our program, and it's a good chance to learn about playing in a pressure-packed game. It's a great learning tool because of all the media hype and big-game atmosphere."

Permian has more experience in the big game, and for that reason some of the questions directed towards Elam and the Stallions this week have been along the lines of, "Can you play with Permian?" Kind of strange that the state's No. 1 team is being asked if it can play with the state's second-ranked club.

"I think some people want to think that," Elam said of the edge going to Permian. "But I asked our players earlier in the week why we were ranked No. 1 and they were ranked No. 2. Our seniors are 52-3 since seventh grade, and nobody can mess that up.

"Obviously Permian is coming back from a state championship game, and they have the so-called 'Mojo Mystique'," Elam said, "but we're not concerned with what's gone on in the past. With respect to their program, we're going in worried about how we play."

Maybe the Stallions have an edge against Permian because their players haven't been bombarded with Mojo since they were little. Elam gives credence to that theory.

"I think it helps that we're so far removed from the West Texas atmosphere in that our kids aren't like the kids out there who grow up reading about Permian and hearing about them all the time," Elam said. "This is new for us, and it's new for Permian to come to the Metroplex.

"This game, though, is just like any other game in that it's really about who makes the fewest mistakes and who has the best team," he said. "And maybe if we both stay healthy, we'll have a chance to meet again in the playoffs."

In case you missed it, Midland Lee defensive back John Norman returned another interception for a touchdown in last week's 46-7 win over El Paso Coronado. His 38-yard return in the first quarter gave the Rebels a 12-0 lead over the Thunderbirds.

That gives Norman six touchdowns on interception returns in his last 13 games. Amazing. No wonder every school in the nation is hot on his heels.

His brother, Josh, rushed for 81 yards and three touchdowns in the victory.

Last week's 5-2 mark could have easily been 7-0 if Cooper hadn't failed to score twice inside the 6-yard line against Garland, and if Midland High hadn't gone crazy and scored 34 second-half points in a 34-27 win over Frenship.

Those Midland High guys: Just when you think you have them figured out, they go and do something crazy like win.

Anyway, on to this week's picks:
-- Lubbock Coronado at Odessa High: The Bronchos played well last week in losing a 21-14 decision to Killeen in Randy Quisenberry's debut as the head coach. Coronado beat El Paso Eastwood, 35-0, but Odessa's better than Eastwood. Give the nod to the Bronchos. ... Odessa 24, Coronado 13.

-- San Angelo Central at Killeen Ellison: The Eagles have speed, speed and more speed. The Bobcats don't have the numbers that they've had in the past, and that speed should wear them down. Gary Gaines falls to 0-2 at Central. ... Ellison 34, Central 21.

-- El Paso Franklin at Midland Lee: If this were tennis, Franklin would have a decided advantage. But this is football, and Franklin can't touch Lee in terms of talent level. Advantage Rebels. ... Midland Lee 37, Franklin 3.

-- Midland High at El Paso Bel Air: The Bulldogs scored 34 second-half points last week to rally from an 18-0 deficit to beat Frenship, 34-27. Oh, those Bulldogs. They win tonight and maybe next week, and that might be it. ... Midland High 28, Bel Air 17.

-- Abilene High at Stephenville: The Eagles are feeling pretty good about themselves after opening the season with a win last week. Good, not cocky. They can't be cocky after looking back and seeing what Stephenville's done to them the last few years. Stephenville comes into the game after tying Denton in last week's season opener, and the Yellow Jackets will no doubt be a little fired up tonight. In this same situation last year I picked AHS to upset Stephenville and the Jackets promptly drilled the Eagles, 33-0. I told Stephenville head coach Art Briles after the game that I had learned my lesson. ... Stephenville 23, Abilene High 16.

-- Wichita Falls Rider at Cooper: The Cougars really didn't play that poorly last week at Garland. In fact, they should have won if not for some short-yardage failures on the goal line. The defense was particularly impressive against Garland. Rider is trying to upgrade its schedule, so it will play Cooper tonight and Denison next week. The Raiders might come out of it a decent team ... if they come out of it alive. ... Cooper 36, Rider 10.

--Odessa Permian at North Mesquite: Simply put, regular season games don't get much bigger than this. The Stallions are loaded with 17 returning starters and a slew of Division I prospects. Permian is, well, Permian, and until proven otherwise, that's good enough for me. In a thriller call it ... Permian 21, North Mesquite 20.

-- Last week: 5 right, 2 wrong (.714 percentage). Season: 5 right, 2 wrong (.714 percentage).