Camden High Will Face Permian High This Thursday
The Camden football team travels to Odessa to play at Ratliff Stadium on October 1.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Football
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Camden High School will travel to Odessa, Texas, to compete against Permian High School this Thursday at the 18,000-seat Ratliff Stadium. The visiting team, holding a 3-1 record, aims to challenge the undefeated 5-0 Permian squad.
Why it matters
The trip is designed to expose players to a national stage and provide new experiences for a roster where 90 percent have never flown before. With no district funding, the effort relies on private fundraising and player contributions.
The 3,200-mile roundtrip journey includes 40 players and 14 coaches. Each player is contributing $250 toward the $40,000 total travel cost.
The players
Camden High School
This educational institution represents the traveling football team based in New Jersey.
Permian High School
This school is an Odessa-based institution known for its high school football program.
Ratliff Stadium
This facility is a large high school sports venue in Odessa with a capacity of 18,000 spectators.
Texas Tech University
This is a public research university located in Lubbock that the team will visit.
University of Texas - Permian Basin
This is a public university in Odessa that the team will visit during their trip.
The details
The team will travel via airplane on Tuesday and return on Saturday. Beyond the competition, the players are scheduled to visit Texas Tech University and the University of Texas - Permian Basin.
Timeline
September 29, 2026: The team flies to Texas on Tuesday.
October 1, 2026: Camden plays Permian High School on Thursday.
October 3, 2026: The team returns from Texas on Saturday.
Season Trajectory
This cross-country matchup highlights the enduring draw of the Friday Night Lights cultural legacy of Permian High School football as a destination for visiting programs. It serves as a significant non-conference benchmark that tests the team's standing before they return to local play.
Camden will attempt to improve their 3-1 record against a formidable 5-0 opponent in a stadium that holds 18,000 people. Success in this game could significantly bolster the team's reputation as they look ahead to the remainder of their season.
The takeaway
This trip demonstrates the logistical scale and community effort required for high school teams to pursue national exposure. Players and families should prepare for significant travel commitments when participating in these high-profile out-of-state matchups.
Further reading
For more coverage of high school competition, visit the Football section.
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Do you support high school sports teams traveling long distances to play out-of-state opponents?
