BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — Facing an Odessa Permian squad that returns 18 starters after a third-round playoff appearance last season, McAllen High coach Kevin Brewer knows his team will learn what it takes to play at a high level.
When McHi opened the season with a 35-7 loss to Permian in 2014, the biggest of many lessons for the Bulldogs was the intensity they had to reach to hang with one of the state’s elite. If nothing else, McAllen expects to get a refresher course in those teachings when the team takes on Permian at 1 p.m. today at D.W. Rutledge Stadium in Converse.
“It gives us a good mental preparation for the rest of the teams and the rest of our schedule,” offensive lineman Elijah Dames said. “It helps our guys stay concentrated, knowing that’s the standard, and we have to be at that standard if we want to stay on top.”
Brewer said he referred to a different lesson from last season’s loss every week the rest of the season.
Both the lows of quickly falling behind 28-0 in the first half and the highs of playing to a 7-7 tie in the second half — albeit against most of Permian’s second-string players — were valuable tools.
“It does make us a better team. We come together,” defensive back Ruben Gutierrez said. “We know how to play tougher now because of them.”
Brewer said he’ll always prefer that sort of test to easing into the season against a beatable opponent. He’d rather give a relatively inexperienced roster with just seven returning starters a trial by fire, as he called it, than a warm-up game.
“When you play somebody early that you know is not up to your level, and let’s say it’s an easy win, you get a false sense of security going forward,” Brewer said. “And then when you play better teams, you really haven’t tested yourself.”
McHi’s defense only has two starters back, but Brewer has consistently lauded the group for its overall athleticism. That asset will be tested more than any other against Permian’s spread attack, led by running back Brandon Bailey, who racked up 1,621 yards and 21 total touchdowns last season. The Panthers will look to get the ball to the perimeter with sweeps or quick passes.
“They’re putting five premium, premium athletes out there in space,” Brewer said. “How are we handling that? So yeah, I love it.”
The Permian defense figures to bring heavy pressure, forcing new McHi starting quarterback Caleb Youngblood into quick decisions — something Brewer is looking forward to seeing.
New running back Joshua McGowen will also be tested right off the bat. What better way for the Overhills (Spring Lake, North Carolina) transfer to be initiated into Texas high school football than against the team that inspired Friday Night Lights?
“It’ll be a good measuring stick for him personally,” Brewer said.
For Brewer, one of the key focuses in today’s opener is starting strong. Coming out slow put the Bulldogs in an insurmountable hole last season.
“We want to go up there and play a clean game, our game, our style of football, and do what we like to do,” Brewer said. “Whether we win or lose, if we go up there and do that against them, I’ll be happy.”