San Angelo Central's Upset Bid Slips Away Against Odessa Permian

SAN ANGELO, TX — The Central Bobcats gave undefeated Odessa Permian its best game of the season Friday, but they fell just short in a 31-29 loss at San Angelo Stadium.

Central quarterback Christian English had an electrifying 74-yard touchdown run with 2:02 remaining, but the ensuing two-point conversion failed, and Permian escaped with the victory.

Central led 23-14 midway through the third quarter before Permian scored the next 17 points to surge ahead.

Permian improved to 7-0 overall and 2-0 in District 2-6A, while Central fell to 3-4, 0-2.

"It's a game that was just a couple of points, and I look back and I see where we left those points on the field," Central head coach Mark Smith said. "But we came back again. ... We had an undefeated team here, and we gave ourselves a chance, so I'm proud of the guys for that."

Permian running back Gavin Black had 30 carries for 228 yards and three TDs to power the Panthers' offense.

Quarterback Jakob Garcia threw for 174 yards and a TD on 11-of-18 passing.

English had 15 carries for 188 yards and a TD to lead Central. He threw for 132 yards and a TD on 9-of-22 passing.

This is the second consecutive week Central has nearly knocked off one of the district's top teams. The Bobcats lost 42-36 to six-time defending district champion Midland Legacy last week.

It's also the third time this year Central has lost by six points or less.

"I don't like losing no matter what. I'm tired of playing people well," Smith said. "I've got a team that'll fight, and they'll do it again next week, but I don't like losing."

Permian jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead with a touchdown on its opening drive, but the Bobcats held the Panthers off the scoreboard after that until the final minutes of the second quarter.

Central defensive back Zayden Norton intercepted a deflected pass in the end zone to stop a Permian drive that had reached the 10-yard line.

A 14-yard TD strike from English to Jimmy Edwards with 57 seconds left in the second quarter gave Central a 16-14 lead at halftime.

The Bobcats scored on the opening drive of the second half — on a 29-yard run by John Paul Nombrano — to take a 23-14 lead with 6:39 left in the third quarter.

San Angelo Stadium was rocking as fans were anticipating the upset win, but Permian responded with scores on its next three drives.

Permian had a chance to put the game away, but Central's defense stood strong to force a 45-yard field goal try that missed with 2:43 remaining.

Two plays later, English scrambled for a 74-yard TD that put the Bobcats in position to get to overtime.

English's two-point pass was just off the mark, however, and went off the fingertips of Edwards in the back of the end zone.

Permian then converted a third-and-8 on the ensuing drive that allowed the Panthers to seal the win.

Permian will host Midland Legacy next week, while Central will travel to play Midland High.

Odessa Permian 31, San Angelo Central 29

Permian   7   7   3   14 — 31

Central   3   13   7   6 — 29

First Quarter

P — Gavin Black 2 run (Iker Munoz kick), 8:56

C — Evan Vaughn 37 field goal, 5:24

Second Quarter

C — Darius Huitt 7 run (Vaughn kick), 6:46

P — Ashton Daly 13 pass from Jakob Garcia (Munoz kick), 2:11

C — Jimmy Edwards 14 pass from Christian English (kick failed), :57

Third Quarter

C — John Paul Nombrano 29 run (Vaughn kick), 6:39

P — Munoz 33 field goal, 2:22

Fourth Quarter

P — Black 13 run (Munoz kick), 9:43

P — Black 5 run (Munoz kick), 4:28

C — English 74 run (pass failed), 2:02