"Friday Night Lights" - Johnson

Game Against Rebels

Nov 17, 1987

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"Never in his entire life had Mike Winchell felt more embarrased." (Bissinger 215). Permian lost to the Rebels in a game that they should have won. This was the 1987 season in which quarterback Mike Winchell was a junior in school. They lost 42 - 21, the most points Permian had given up in twenty-three years. Winchell himself did not play as well as he usually did or should have (215).

Abilene Cooper Game

Sep 10, 1988

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Permian played their first challenging game of the season against Abilene Cooper. The game was still not much of a challege. Due to the talent that the Permian team pocessed. Quarterback Mike Winchell threw nine passes the first half. Five were incomplete passes and "the other four had been for touchdowns" (189).

Midland Game

Nov 24, 1988

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Permian lost to their across town rivals in a game they were suppose to win. Mike Winchell did not perform well at all, along with most of the team. Yet, all the blame was put on Permian coach, Gary Gaines. When he got home he found for sale signs in his yard. When asked about it he said, "Lose two games by two points and they're ready to hang 'im." (226).

Game That Turned the Season Around

Dec 1, 1988

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Permian played the San Angelo Bobcats and beat them after two losses in a row. They managed to do so with a crushing victory of 41-7. Mike Winchell threw for 211 yards, which was a school record. This game completely turned around the season for the good. Odessa citizens still said, "... it wasn't good enough without a trip to the playoffs..." (239).

First Round of Playoffs

Dec 8, 1988

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Permian played a bad game as a team and Winchell threw a horrible game. They somehow beat Amarillo 31-7 but they should have lost. They made it to the playoffs by a coin toss and a lot of luck. Then, they went and played extremely badly. The coach told them, "We're not going to win a state championship playin' like that!" (255)

Winchells Best Game of the Season

Dec 15, 1988

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Permian played the Lamar Vikings in their quarterfinals game. This was an extremely high stakes game compared to most. Winchell had his best passing game of the season. They won 21-7 in a game that no one knew who would win. Towards the end "The crowd of fourteen thousand five hundred, sensing the kill rose to its feet on almost every play." (278).

Day Before Semifinal Game

Dec 21, 1988

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Before the semifinal game the players are in the locker room to get their gear ready. Mike Winchell is sitting down on the bench very excited for the game. He is also a little apprehensive. He had dreamed of this his entire life and now he would be doing it. "... now he was in the field house again, not as some starry-eyed kid but as a football player," (303).

Semifinal Game (Second Half)

Dec 22, 1988

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Toward the end of the semifinal game there were signs that Permian just might lose. The whole team was nervous and in a state of panick. Mike Winchell refused to look at the clock. This was the first glimpse that their 1988 season was coming to and end. In the huddle that the team usually held hands in Winchell said, "Don't touch me." (317).

Semifinal Game (First Half)

Dec 22, 1988

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The first half of the semifinal game forshadowed the rest of it. Winchell was not passing well at all due to the rainy weather. He got sacked for ten plus yard loses multiple times in the half. Winchell basically chocked up and forgot how to play the game. With most of his passes "The ball skittered off his hand, underthrown, overthrown, nowhere near its intended target." (311).

Semifinal Game (Afterwords)

Dec 22, 1988

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After the semifinal game against the Carter Cowboys, Permian was devastated. No one on the team played as good as they could of. This officially ended the season that Permian was suppose to go to state. Mike Winchell could not pass or complete plays well because of the rain. "Reporters came up to him and he answered their questions dutifully, quick to heap the blame on himself..." (325).

Winchell Joins Baylor

Aug 3, 1989

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After high school Mike Winchell joined Baylor as a walk on player. After tryouts he did not make the traveling team. No one else was interested in him because of his size. He was just way to small to play college football. He said, "One day I throw the ball like Roger Staubach, one day like Roger Rabbit." and this summed up his career (339).

Mike Winchell's College Graduation

May 12, 1995

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After trying to play football at Baylor, Winchell transferred to Tarteton State University. Four years later he graduated from college. And with a bachelor's degree in marketing he was able to make a living without football. He planned to move back to Odessa for work. SInce his graduation he got realistic and told himself, "Heck, I'm not going to play in the pros," (350).