Permian’s annual watermelon feed kicks off 2026 football season
· Yahoo Sports
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) - With the start of the high school football season just days away, the Mojo faithful gathered at Permian High School Wednesday night for a tradition that officially signals the beginning of another football season.
Visit casino-promo.biz for more information.
The annual Watermelon Feed brought together players, coaches, students, families and members of the Odessa community as Permian celebrated the 2026 football team.
The event also featured introductions of the cheer team and trainers, along with performances from the Permian dance team and band. As the name suggests, plenty of watermelon was shared throughout the evening.
For Permian senior running back and captain Cayden Taylor, the event is about more than simply getting ready for football.
“It's great that the whole community's here,” Taylor said. “All the younger people know that they have a community behind them that's supporting them.”
That sense of community is something first-year Permian principal Megan Watts says is important as the school begins a new year.
“We're all about building community, getting our parents, our students, our organizations involved,” Watts said. “We're really proud to be Permian Panthers.”
For Taylor, being part of that tradition also means having the opportunity to lead his teammates into the season.
“Honestly, I'm grateful for every opportunity,” Taylor said. “Being here with all my brothers and lead the team in ways that I never knew I could and having them to support me all the way through.”
Watts said becoming part of Permian also means becoming part of a tradition that stretches well beyond one football season.
“It's amazing to know that I'm part of such a strong tradition here at Permian,” Watts said.
With the Watermelon Feed now in the books, Mojo Nation is officially counting down to kickoff.
Permian opens the 2026 season on August 28 against Amarillo Tascosa at Ratliff Stadium.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin.