BOYS HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER: Panthers bracing for another elimination game

Mar. 18—The Permian boys soccer team may be playing in the first round of the playoffs this week but in reality, it might feel more like a second-round game.

That's because the Panthers were in an elimination game just last week in the regular season finale.

Permian, which clinched a spot in the UIL Class 6A Division I state playoffs with a 2-1 win against Midland High on Tuesday last week, will face El Paso Pebble Hills in the bi-district round at 6:30 p.m. Friday in El Paso.

"I think anytime that you qualify for the playoffs, it's a testament to how hard the kids worked and how much work they've put into the season," Permian head coach Luis Carmona said. "Not everyone has a chance to go into the playoffs. I'm proud of the way the guys responded. At times, we faced adversity in the season but the guys never gave up. At times, we felt like things were going against us. But we kept working. It came down to the last game."

The Panthers (10-8-5) were the last team from District 2-6A to clinch a spot in the playoffs, knocking off Midland High 2-1 last week in what was already an elimination game with both teams fighting for a postseason spot.

"In that last game, we went in with the mentality that we had to win," Carmona said. "We were already in playoff mode. Going into Midland and getting the victory says a lot. I'm proud of the way they qualified for the playoffs."

Going forward, of course, every game will be an elimination contest and Carmona says his team expects the pressure and the stress to still be there even with the Panthers already familiar with this situation.

"I think there's always going to be the stress and the pressure, but we've been in that playoff atmosphere and we understand that it's not just another game," Carmona said. "The stakes are a little bit higher. It could be our last game of the season and we're not ready for our season to end. We've been drilling to these guys that we can only worry about ourselves and play our game and if we go into this game focused, we'll be fine."

If there's one thing the Panthers have been battling, it's the injury bug.

Carmona is hopeful that the time off from part of last week will help his players get healthy for Friday's contest.

"The number one thing we have to do is get healthy," Carmona said. "We've had some banged up kids. We gave them a couple of days off for spring break, but we're still not quite one hundred percent. Hopefully by Friday, we'll be ready to go."

Even more challenging is facing a Pebble Hills team that comes in 17-3 and having won the District 1-6A title.

"They're a pretty physical team," Carmona said. "They move the ball quick. They're very well organized. We have to come in with our best game and be focused. They have a striker that's pretty physical and they'll take advantage of any opportunity. Their midfielders are talented and their defenders are good. They're a well-coached team, but we have full faith in ourselves and we think we can get the job done."

The Panthers also know that getting a win on the road will be tricky but they're hoping to not let the atmosphere intimidate them.

"The atmosphere in El Paso is different," Carmona said. "It can be intimidating, but we tell the players that this is what they live for. This is what they play for. It shouldn't be any extra stress. I think the atmosphere that they bring is different from what we get here but that can be a good or bad thing. We'll find out. It depends on the team. Hopefully, we'll respond."

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BOYS HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER: Panthers bracing for another elimination game

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