The Pepettes are the cheerleaders for all Permian High sports teams. These cheerleaders are female senior students dedicated to supporting the Permian Panthers’ football team.

The Watermelon Feed is an annual event in Odessa where each Permian Panther is introduced to the townspeople. The former and current Permian players are treated as local celebrities at this event.

The Texas State Championship is the pinnacle of Texas high school football. Due to the Permian Panthers’ reputation as an excellent team and their history as winners of the state championship, many townspeople in Odessa feel that any good coach should be able to lead the team to the championship game. Friday Night Lights recounts how the team of 1988 makes it to the semifinals of the Texas State Championship, where they lose against the Carter Cowboys.