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Friday, October 17, 1997

Judson, Permian just not bullies they once were

By OLIN BUCHANAN / Austin American-Statesman

AUSTIN -- The landscape is changing.

Perhaps from waves of new contenders or the erosion of old powers, but whatever the reason there are indications that when the high school football playoffs begin next month they will do so with a significantly different look.

An apparent shift in power is threatening to change the playoff landscape in ways not seen since ... well, longer than most care to remember.

That's because Converse Judson and Odessa Permian -- historically among the state's most successful football programs -- are in serious jeopardy of missing the playoffs altogether.

That's hard to believe considering Judson opened the season ranked No. 2 in Class 5A by the Associated Press and Permian was a playoff team a year ago.

"I think what we're seeing is a lot of the districts across the state are catching up," said Craig Way, the host of Fox Southwest's "High School Extra."

"There's more interest in schools and communities, especially places like in 4-5A, where there's just one or two high schools in town. A lot of kids in the programs are seeing it done in one place and asking, ÔWhy can't it happen here?'

"I think they've raised the level of competitiveness from other schools as well as the leveling off of some of the top programs."

That explains Permian, which except for University Interscholastic League suspensions in 1990 and '93, has missed the playoffs just three times since 1976.

But after last week's 48-42 triple overtime loss to San Angelo Central, Permian is 1-2 in District 4-5A and has yet to face Abilene Cooper (5-1) or Abilene High (5-1).

However, Judson wasn't expected to level off.

Last year the Rockets reached the Class 5A Division I final and had 23 lettermen, including eight starters, coming back.

Judson hasn't missed the playoffs since 1981 and has reached at least the state semifinals every year since the UIL divided Class 5A into two divisions in 1990. It is still a factor in the District 26-5A race only because it survived San Antonio Roosevelt 7-6 last week.

Judson is 1-2 in district play and has yet to face unbeaten San Antonio Madison or San Antonio MacArthur.

"It's hard to explain a program like Judson because they have some talented kids," Way said. "I think that's more of a case of their district being a tough district. You look at New Braunfels and see their (participation) numbers up. Madison has been solid the last couple of years and MacArthur is solid. The interest in the program for the kids is up and that's part of it."

One more loss for either Judson or Permian would probably eliminate them as playoff contenders.

Permian's traditional playoff spot would probably be occupied by Abilene High, which hasn't reached the postseason since 1959.

Judson's spot would probably be taken by New Braunfels, a former Class 4A power trying to make its first venture into the 5A playoffs.

Times are changing.

Not to mention the playoff landscape.

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Distributed by The Associated Press