How does Bissinger describe the differences between East and West Odessa? What kind of divisions did you see in your own hometown in high school?

Permian students hail largely from the east part of Odessa, and Odessa High students from the west. With every game comes some sort of clash of values. Whether imagined or factual, these opposing values give the fans the illusion that more is at stake than just a football game. Odessa has not beat Permian in twenty-three years. They have come close to beating Permian many times but always seem to come up short. There was a time when Odessa High was the only white school in town. Those were the glory days when the whole region would come together for the common dream; Odessa High had realized that dream when they won the state championship in 1946. Permian had stood squarely in the way of any football success for Odessa High since 1964, the year Permian was created. Many of Odessa’s old supporters blame the influx of Hispanics and basic desegregation on Odessa High’s poor performance against Permian. In addition to desegregation, Permian is accused of poaching high performing talent from Odessa.