State Championships

State championships are state-level games between the two best football teams in the state of Texas. State championships are sought each year by every football team across the state, including the Panthers. The Panthers make the playoffs in 1988, but they fall short of winning the title. This proves devastating to the team and to the town of Odessa, even though the Panthers have won several state championships before 1988.

Black Jerseys

Black jerseys are the home game uniform worn by the Permian Panthers. Black jerseys are symbols of status that denote individuals as athletes, especially football players. During practice, the jerseys signify which players are starters. The uniform is an elitist status symbol. When Boobie is sidelined with his injury, he must practice in a white jersey, which humiliates and angers him. It is a physical manifestation of how far he has fallen and how little he...