Catherine+and+Kara

Permian High School
By Kara Grubb

Permian High School may have only been the third high school built in Odessa but it withholds more legacies and pride then most high school in the whole state of Texas. When Odessa was built over forty years ago no one could have predicted the impact the high school football team would make in the troubled town. Gary Gaines, coach of the Permian High School football team has stated, "Nobody rest a play, men. Don't coast on any play. You're on that field, you give it everything you've got" (Bissinger xxix). The legend of the Permian High School football team spread faster than the construction of the town itself. A Permian High School football player is one of great wit, ability and determination. Nothing will hold them back for achieving the sense of accomplishment they receive and the adrenaline that runs through them when they hear fans screaming "MOJO!" Permian High School has won two national championships, six state championships and have been finalists in many other categories of achievement including region finalists and area finalists. The Permian High School football team excels above the standards because of the tough coaches, dedicated players and supportive fans. There's a reason the town of Odessa comes together every friday night to support their Permian Panthers.

Allen, Kerry. “MoJoLand” __Land of the legend.__ 2007. 

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By: Catherine Stephens

Gary Gaines is best known for being able to pick up athletic teams and inspiring them to have a will to win.He knows what it takes to make a winning team. Gaines led teams to nine playoff appearances in 17 years as a high school coach. In 1988 he took the Permian Panthers to State. Even though they lost in that game, Gaines came through in his credentials. "I said this when I was hired, and I still believe it: we have a great opportunity to win here... No job is easy, and this one is no different." Gaines says this often when people ask him if he thinks his team is going to win. Gaines has been a head coach for 21 seasons. In those 21 seasons he has won 4 high school district championships, made nine playoff appearances, and his Odessa Permian State championship team was ranked as national champion.

Walker, Robert P. "Speaking to the World" __Gary Gaines: Subject of Friday Night Lights__.2004-2009.<[|http://www.apbspeakers.com/resources/speakerpdf/1004213] >