Central Bobcats Face Permian in Season Finale
San Angelo's Central High visits Odessa Permian on Friday in the regular-season finale with playoff seeding at stake.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Football
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The Central Bobcats play the Odessa Permian Panthers Friday, November 6, at 7 p.m. at Ratliff Stadium in the regular-season finale. Central is already locked into the runner-up seed in the 6A-Div II playoff bracket after a 43-40 loss to Midland High last weekend.
Why it matters
A win would help Central keep its rivalry with Permian healthy after recent close defeats in 2025 and last season. The matchup pits Central against a Permian team that is 9-0 this season.
Permian quarterback Kayden Vickers has completed 68 percent of his passes for 1,887 yards with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. Permian running back Cayden Taylor leads the team with 721 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, while Central's Zey Johnson has 1,634 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.
The players
Mark Smith
Mark Smith is the head football coach of the Central Bobcats, who addressed the team's preparation for the Permian game at his weekly press conference.
Kayden Vickers
Kayden Vickers is Odessa Permian's starting quarterback, whose passing numbers this season have been central to the Panthers' 9-0 start.
Cayden Taylor
Cayden Taylor is a Permian running back and the team's leading rusher this season with 721 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Zey Johnson
Zey Johnson is a Central running back whose 1,634 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns make him the Bobcats' primary offensive threat.
The details
Central lost to Midland High 43-40 last weekend after a Midland touchdown on a fumble return following a bad punt snap in the first quarter and a successful 2-point conversion off a blocked PAT in the second quarter. Central lost 31-29 to Permian in 2025 after a failed 2-point conversion on the final play, and lost 35-27 at Ratliff Stadium last season.
Timeline
2025: Central lost 31-29 to Permian after a failed 2-point conversion on the final play.
Last season: Central lost 35-27 to Permian at Ratliff Stadium.
Last weekend: Central lost 43-40 to Midland High in San Angelo.
Tuesday: Head coach Mark Smith held his weekly press conference at San Angelo Stadium.
Friday, November 6, 7 p.m.: Central plays Permian in the regular-season finale at Ratliff Stadium.
Season Trajectory
The rivalry has produced consecutive decisive results, with Permian winning 35-27 at Ratliff Stadium last season and 31-29 in 2025 after a failed Central 2-point try on the final play. This regular-season finale gives Central a chance to close the gap against a Permian team that has yet to lose this season.
A Central win would give the Bobcats the rivalry edge over Permian after two straight close losses, and Zey Johnson's workload of 26.1 carries per game makes him a key player to track for fantasy and playoff planning. Fans planning to attend should note the 7 p.m. kickoff at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa.
The takeaway
Central's ability to finish strong in a rivalry game matters as much as its seeding, and this Friday's result will shape how the Bobcats enter the playoffs. Readers following the Bobcats should watch the final score closely.
What happens next
The Central Bobcats' playoff bracket placement will be determined after this Friday's regular-season finale.
Further reading
Follow more local coverage in San Angelo Football for the latest on Central Bobcats games.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Angelo LIVE!.
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