Inside the 25: Traditional programs (i.e. Permian, Celina) in at No. 5

Editor's Note: "Inside The 25" counts down the '08 preseason top 25 rankings in all five 11-man classifications, taking a closer look at each team in the rankings, starting from No. 25 and working down to the No. 1 teams in each classification.

CLASS 5A's #5: Odessa Permian
2007 Preseason Ranking/Final Ranking: 18/10
2007 Final Record/Playoff Finish: 12-1/DI regional semifinalists
Why They're Ranked: When someone tells a story or joke that doesn't quite get the desired reaction, it's often followed by a you had to be there. That's kind of how it goes with Permian. For a program with 452 all-time wins, six state championships and 27 overall playoff appearances, the six years prior to the arrival of current head coach Darren Allman were dark times indeed. No playoff appearances; one winning season; five losses in six games to rival Midland Lee. Since Allman arrived in 2005, mighty Mojo has returned to relevance, going from 5-5 to 9-4 to last year's 12-win season. That Allman is having success is not a coincidence; he's the first person to have both played for and served as head coach of Permian. He has told DCTF numerous times the program needed someone "from the inside" to restore the program. It's a healthy Permian program -- the Permian system -- that puts the Panthers this high in the rankings. Only lineman Garrett Porter, an early commitment to UT, has received DI recruiting interest. Permian, though, has never relied on individual talent. Instead, coaches (when successful, of course) maximize the eager players they have, the kids who've dreamed of wearing the black and white. Guys like LB Jerome Leija, the team's leading returning tackler (101 tackles, 5 TFL), RB Sherard Ray (58-408, 5 TDs), and WR Ryan Rumbaugh (44-710, 4 TDs). Most of those players, if they make it to the next level, will play in front of smaller crowds than what they see on Friday nights in Odessa. But all play solid, fundamental football, and with the momentum established since Allman's arrival, Permian has a team to match its mighty reputation.