Trinity v Permian: The LiveBlog (First Half)

The weather is nice, but the winds are whipping (30-40mph). Here's hoping it doesn't come down to a field goal into the wind. The live webcast is here in case you're interested. Pregame show underway. Haka about to begin.

Pregame: Radio guys are saying that Trinity kicker was missing some kicks into the wind during pregame. Like extra-point distance. Not good.

Extraneous: The DMN blog covering North Texas games is here. Of interest, two items. Riley Dodge is done at Southlake. Injured and back on the field with arm in a sling. They lead in the 2nd quarter, 14-9. Also, Dallas Skyline already in the hole 10-0 at the half against Round Rock. Is there any hope for the great Houston poliblogger showdown if Skyline and Trinity advance? Stay tuned.

Data: 15,000 seat stadium the game is played in ... SOLD. OUT.

Kickoff coming up. Trinity receiving.

Kickoff: Samir Baker runs back the kickoff to the Permian 8 ... 73 yard opening return. Coach Lineweaver calls a timeout on the second play of the game. Huh?

» Trinity Drive #1: We settle for a field goal on that first drive. 3-0 good guys. Permian's defense is supposed to be their strong point and from the description of their tackles, it's easier to visualize the challenge our O-line has on hand. Samir Baker's a small, speedy type ... it'll be interesting to see what he can do with them.

» Permian Drive #1: Impressive drive by Mojo. Trinity gets a few nice sacks, but otherwise, Permian moves it steadily and with a diverse mix of plays. End result? A missed field goal. Kicked into with the wind, but also had a Trojan hand on it. Still up 3-0. Good news!

» Permian Drive #2: End up in FG position on 4th & goal, short yardage to go. But opt to (successfully) go for it. Ya gotta respect that.

Permian converts it to 6. Bad guys up 7-3 in the First Quarter.

» Trinity Drive #3: Dropped pass that woulda been a TD ... into the wind, no less. Bold playcalling on both sides. It doesn't strike me that Trinity's offense has found it's rhythm yet, though. In any event, the second quarter is upon us. Wind now at our back.

Matt Wixon has some more on the special teams woes in the first Q. The DMN has a story on how Permian is hoping the game puts Permian back where it once was in sports lore. OK, so the team from a few hundred miles away gets a "redemption" story. Remind me again where ours was in the paper?

Denarius McGhee on the QB sneak ... 53 yards worth. There's yer big gainer. 10-7 good guys early in the second.

» Permian Drive #3: 20-something punt into the wind. Nice bit of momentum we've got on both sides of the ball right now. But then again, that wind does seem to be playing a big role, too.

» Trinity Drive #4: Some big plays going on this time: A tipped pass that falls into our hands for a first down, another big catch that lands us inside the Permian 20. Samir Baker is just racking up some nice 3-5 yard runs, it seems. Nothing big, but they add up. With the passing game clicking, the mix gets a much better result. Third and goal from the two gets us a TD dive from our jumbo center. 17-7. This clearly isn't the same matchup we saw earlier in the year between these two teams. Under five to go in the half.

» Permian Drive #4: Fourth & Eight at the Trojan 42. Permian goes for it. Not a lot of other options and time is dwindling in the half. Minute-plus to go, with about half the field to cover. Even a quick 3 would be nice. A TD would be even better.

» Trinity Drive #5: Well, we got it close ... but settle for a FG at the end of the half. 20-7 good guys.