Editor’s Note: Every Monday during the offseason, we’ll bring you our new running series, All-Time Matchup Monday, where we’ll pit two of the greatest teams in Texas high school football history against each other, throw a few theories around on who might come out on top, and then we’ll ask you to settle the debate for us. You can also nominate all-time teams and games. Just tweet @dctf with the hashtag #MatchupMonday with your nominations. 

Week 1: 2000 Midland Lee vs. 1996 Austin Westlake
Fan vote results: 2000 Midland Lee

Week 2: 1970 Austin Reagan vs. 1973 John Tyler
Fan vote results: 1973 John Tyler

Week 3: 2015 Katy vs. 2013 Allen
Fan vote results: 2015 Katy

Week 4: 1983 Daingerfield vs. 1988 Dallas Carter
Fan vote results: 1983 Daingerfield

Week 5: 2008 Lake Travis vs. 2006 Southlake Carroll
Fan vote results: 2008 Lake Travis

Week 6: 2005 Celina vs. 1997 Sealy
Fan vote results: 2005 Celina

WEEK 7 MATCHUP: 1978 HOUSTON STRATFORD vs. 1980 ODESSA PERMIAN

Why Houston Stratford would win

The Craig James-led Spartans deserve a higher place in history. Houston Stratford went 15-0 en route to a Class 4A state championship, the biggest classification in Texas high school football at the time. Stratford perfected the Wishbone offense in 1978, totaling over 7,000 yards of team rushing yards. James, who later went on to SMU and then the NFL, set a Class 4A record with 2,411 yards on the ground. He would become one the most highly coveted recruits in the state, but he wasn’t the only difference maker on the team.

The Spartans offense had three other players, including quarterback Matt Gubrisch, rush for over 700 yards. The 532 points scored by Stratford were the second-most in Class 4A history. The defense wasn’t too shabby, either. Led by Wayne Harpold, who later played for Rice, the Spartans held nine opponents to a touchdown or less. Houston Stratford’s resume in 1978 also included wins over 1975 state champion Port Neches-Grove, 1976 champion San Antonio Churchill and 1977 champion Plano. A 29-13 win over Plano in the state title game sealed a perfect season and a state championship for the Spartans.

Why Odessa Permian would win

It was an unlikely trip to the state title game against Port Arthur Jefferson, and even more unlikely comeback that places the 1980 Odessa Permian team in the lore of all-time great teams. It also doesn’t hurt to win Texas’ first ever Class 5A title. It was Permian’s third state title, even if it wasn’t expected to start the season. The Panthers didn’t return much experience. One of the few returning starters was quarterback Jerry Hix, who had played safety the season before. Head coach John Wilkin’s team was predicted to finish third in a district referred to at the time as “The Little Southwest Conference.”

Instead, Permian went 13-0-2 and captured a Class 5A state title. Permian’s defense was dominant the Panthers shutout their first four opponents, finishing with nine shutouts in 15 games. Permian allowed a total of 65 points in 1980, an average of 4.3 points per game. Permian trailed 19-7 at halftime in the state title game to Port Arthur Jefferson, but the Panthers scored 21 unanswered points in the second half to clinch the title.

It wasn’t a team full of all-state talent or one with big offensive numbers. Permian even had two ties that season – one to end the district schedule against Odessa High and one in the bi-district round of the playoffs against Sherman. Permian advanced to the next round because of more ties.

[poll id="99"]

Craven’s Pick: Houston Stratford
Craig James and a very good defense carries one of the most underrated Texas high school football teams to a victory.

Greg Tepper's Pick: Houston Stratford
As legendary a story as the 1980 Permian Panthers are, there was no stopping the Craig James Wishbone in 1978, and he would lead the Spartans to a win.

Fan vote: Will be announced next Monday.