The Midland Lee Rebels and the Permian Panthers took to the football field Friday night for yet another matchup in the two teams’ historic rivalry that goes back decades.
Permian High and the Panthers were of course the inspiration for Friday Night Lights, and this classic high school rivalry has over the years come to represent all the emotion, passion, and traditions Texans love about football.
Permian topped the Rebels in a 45-28 upset Friday night in Midland.
Whenever these Odessa-Midland teams take the field it’s a heated game from the get go. This classic high school rivalry has over the years come to represent all the emotion, passion, and traditions Texans love about football.
Photographer Guillermo Hernandez-Martinez has been traveling across the state capturing those passions at games in the big cities and small towns alike for a project he’s calling When in Texas.
Lana Straub caught up with him on Friday before the big game.
Here’s a slideshow of some of the images Hernandez-Martinez has captured at stadiums across the state.
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Junior wide receiver for the St. Anthony Yellow Jackets Jordan Torrens (21) and fellow teammates run out of the tunnel prior to the start of the third quarter of their week 5 high school football game against St. Stephen’s Episcopal on September 27, 2014 at Lang Field in San Antonio, Texas. (Guillermo Hernandez-Martinez)
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Pearland defensive back Matt La Chiusa and his teammates stand during the playing of the National Anthem before the Oilers’ opening game of the 2014 Texas high school football season against the Conroe Woodlands College Park Cavaliers played on August 29, 2014 at Woodforest Bank Stadium in Shenandoah, Texas. (Guillermo Hernandez-Martinez)
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A member of Lufkin High School’s “Panther Pride” drill team sits in the empty stands prior to the Panther’s homecoming football game against Whitehouse played on Oct. 3, 2014 at Abe Martin Stadium in Lufkin, Texas. (Guillermo Hernandez-Martinez)
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Katy High School Band members warm up prior to the Tigers’ homecoming game against the Katy Taylor Mustangs played on September 26, 2014 at Jack Rhodes Memorial Stadium in Katy, Texas. (Guillermo Hernandez-Martinez)
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Sabine Cardinals senior quarterback Tanner Sharp scores a rushing touchdown from 11 yards out to put the Cardinals up 6 – 0 over the West Rusk Raiders during their Week 3 matchup played on September 12, 2014 at Bruce Bradshaw Stadium in New London, Texas. (Guillermo Hernandez-Martinez)
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The Whitehouse High School drumline plays for excited fans and cheerleaders following halftime of the Wildcats’ week 6 high school football game against Lufkin High School played on Oct. 3, 2014 at Abe Martin Stadium in Lufkin, Texas. (Guillermo Hernandez-Martinez)
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Katy High School Band members interact with fans behind their section during a timeout in action of the Tigers’ homecoming game against the Katy Taylor Mustangs played on September 26, 2014 at Jack Rhodes Memorial Stadium in Katy, Texas. (Guillermo Hernandez-Martinez)
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Lufkin High School players huddle before the second half of their homecoming game against Whitehouse played on Oct. 3, 2014 at Abe Martin Stadium in Lufkin, Texas. (Guillermo Hernandez-Martinez)
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Odessa Permian Senior wide receiver Taylor Thompson (12), junior defensive lineman Aaron Briswalter (55) and sophomore offensive lineman Jayce Rush (64) celebrate among teammates and cheerleaders after the Panthers defeated their archrival Midland Lee by a score of 45-28 on their game played on Oct. 10, 2014 at Grande Communications Stadium in Midland, Texas. (Guillermo Hernandez-Martinez)
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The De Leon Bearcats are forced to punt as the sun sets on The Puncher Dome during their Week 2 visit to Mason on September 5, 2014 at R. Clinton Schulze Stadium in Mason, Texas. (Guillermo Hernandez-Martinez)
About Travis Bubenik
All Things Considered Host and Big Bend Reporter