PREVIEW: Central Bobcats Prepare for Formidable Midland Bulldogs in District Opener

SAN ANGELO- The Central Bobcats are back at it after giving Bobcat fans a heart attack in a wild victory over the Abilene Wylie Bulldogs.

This week, the Cats will take on another Bulldog team in Midland who are 4-1. This is the first district contest for the Cats who will also play Midland Legacy, Odessa, Permian, and Frenship.

San Angelo Central (3-2) vs. Midland Bulldogs (4-1)

The Bobcats are coming off a bye week after a crazy, Hail May play where quarterback Tyler Hill tossed a bomb to Ben Imler who not only caught the ball but understood where he was and got into the endzone with no time left on the clock.

Hill is a catalyst on this Bobcat team, throwing for 950 yards and rushing for another 722 yards, putting up a combined 18 touchdowns in the process. Running backs Javion Robinson, Tyree Brawley, and Aiden Barron have churned out 548 yards and six scores. Imler, Jacob English, Tyler Walker, and Jacob Gallegos have caught 52 passes for 675 yard and six touchdowns.\

(Central’s defensive stats have not been updated to reflect five games.)

The Bobcat defense could use some help as they have given up almost 39 points per game this season and 61 against Wylie. Darius Floyd leads Central in tackles with 54 combined tackles (33 solo and 21 assists) and four tackles for loss. Floyd also has a sack in four games. Evan Arnold follows that up with 24 solo, 12 assists, and two for a loss.

James Burney has been disruptive for the Bobcats with two sacks and five tackles for loss with 13 total tackles. Central has nine sacks combined with seven players getting to the opposing quarterback including Jacoby Yates, Michael Howell, Andrew Gonzalez, Abel Ramirez, Brayden Hymas, Floyd, and Burney.

The Bobcats defense has five interceptions with Luke Gould taking the ball back three times. Tristan Johnson also has an interception and two fumble recoveries.

Specials teams have been making plays as Central has two blocked field goals and one blocked punt in at least four games.

The Midland Bulldogs have only dropped one game this season against the Amarillo Sandies. Midland and Central have a common opponent in El Paso Montwood who they both beat. Central won by a score of 52-49 and the Bulldogs won 56-28.

The Bulldogs also have only given up 103 points all year. That may worry Bobcats fans but the five teams the Bulldogs have a combined record of 7-20. Central’s opponents have a 14-13 record.

That does not mean the Bulldogs will lay down as their rushing attack has produced 1,941 yards and 24 touchdowns. Senior Drayton McCoy and junior Brylee Perez have 486 and 585 yards respectively and 17 touchdowns together. Other ball carries including quarterbacks account for 870 yards and seven scores. No Midland receiver has over 100 yards, but sophomore Stroman Bridges and junior Jacob Urias have one touchdown apiece.

Junior Noah Crumpler comes down from the safety position and leads the Bulldogs in solo tackles with 24. Central will need to also watch junior Adam Alvarado has 35 total tackles and one interception. Senior defensive end JT Taylor leads the Dogs with two sacks and five hurries. Hill could have a difficult time getting the ball to receivers as the Midland team has six total interceptions and nine passes defended.

District starts for every team in this district and the other matchups are:

• Frenship vs. Midland Legacy
• Permian vs. Odessa

The 4-1 Frenship Tigers play the 2-3 Midland Legacy Rebels. The Tigers are on a four-game winning streak and squeezed one out against a New Mexico team the Cleveland Storm. Legacy has been dealt two straight losses to Cibolo Steele in overtime 35-28 and Judson 60-50.

The Permian Panthers are perfect on the season and will look to stay undefeated against the 3-2 Odessa Bronchos. This Mojo team has shown resilience as they were down to Amarillo Tasacosa 12-0 going into the fourth quarter and scored 13 unanswered points to come away with a victory. Then against Harker Heights, the Panthers were down 27-7 at halftime, held the Knights scoreless and then put up 21 points to win 28-27. Odessa is looking to start another winning streak after beating the Clemens Buffaloes 35-14.

Tune into COVER1 for exclusive interviews, score updates, highlights, and coverage of every Bobcat game, plus other games concerning teams in the Concho Valley. Watch COVER1 at around 4:00, 8:00, and 10:00 p.m. on Fridays through football season, only on San Angelo LIVE!