SAN ANGELO, TX — The San Angelo Central Bobcat football team hosted the Allen High School Eagles at San Angelo Stadium on Friday, November 25 at 4 p.m.
The energy inside Bobcat Stadium is absolutely electric, Central High School–wearing their "Angry Orange" jerseys–won the coin toss and deferred to receive in the second half.
The Allen Eagles took the opening kickoff and were able to move the ball efficiently down the field, scoring the first points of the games with 10:51 left in the first quarter, leaving the Bobcats to trail for the first time in 12 games.
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After surrendering the first score of the game, Cal Vincent and the Central Bobcats started their drive at the 25 yard line. Much like the Eagles, the Bobcats planned on moving quickly–lining up fast and getting the ball out to their receivers in space. The drive was capped off by a 30+ yard dash by Cal Vincent, tying the game 7-7.
Allen muffs the punt return after it starts raining, and Central recovers, setting the Bobcats up with their best field position of the game. Their drive was capped off by a one-handed touchdown catch by Adam West in the endzone. Central leads 14-7 after a 5 play, 42 yard drive.
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Allen scores on a 36 yard quarterback scamper with 3:56 left in the first quarter.
The Allen Eagles lead 21-14 with 11:46 left in the 2nd quarter. Allen went 10 plays, 63 yards and took their second lead of the game.
After taking their second lead of the game, the Eagles extend their lead to 14 points on a 44 yard touchdown pass in the rain. This is the largest deficit the Bobcats have faced all year, however there is still plenty of football left to play.
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The Bobcats respond to Allen's long touchdown pass with one of their own, Henry Teeter reeled in a 48 yard touchdown pass to cut the Eagle's lead to 7. Allen still leads, 28-21.
Allen couldn't get anything going on their next drive, so they punt it away back to Central on 4th and 8. The ball will be placed on the 7 yard line, so if Central wants to score again, they'll have to drive 93 yards.
Cal Vincent is out at quarterback, former six-man quarterback Maverick McIvor in for the Bobcats. He loses the football on his first snap, and the Eagles recover with 11 seconds in the first half.
Allen takes advantage of the turnover and kicks a 48 yard field goal, extending their lead to 31-21.
Maverick McIvor starts the second half at quarterback for the injured Vincent, so far neither team has been able to move the ball well. Early in the first half the teams were trading touchdowns, now they're trading punts.
Set up by a long run to San Angelo Central's 30-yard line, the Eagles get another field goal, increasing their lead to 34-21.
Bobcats recover a fumble in the endzone. Gehrig Scott was able to come up with the ball after Allen appeared to be cruising to the endzone. The play will result in a touchback, and Maverick McIvor will have an opportunity to get back into this game.
Gehrig Scott comes up big again, this time on 3rd down, and forces Allen to punt. The Bobcats will take over on the Eagle's 48 yard line, still down 34-21.
Even with a short field, the Bobcats couldn't get anything going. The Eagles took over on downs at their own 7 yard line, but a big run by Sturgis sprung them past the 20 and granted them a fresh set of downs. The play clock is quickly winding down, and time is running out for the Bobcats.
Final Update: The Allen Eagle's record escapes West Texas unscathed and ends San Angelo Central's season 34 to 21.
Post Game:
“We just kept going for it on the 4th down. Just couldn’t get it going,” said Bobcat Coach Brent Davis about the Bobcats’ effort during the second half to get points on the board. At the end of the first half, starting QB Cal Vincent was out with in injury.
Sophomore Maverick McIvor took over as QB near the end of the 2nd quarter. He fumbled on his first drive, setting up an Allen field goal.
Said Coach Davis, “Maverick played unbelievably. He played extremely well.” Davis said that at his experience level, to be suddenly thrown into the lead role in the middle of a semifinal playoff with a team like Allen was a significant challenge.
Central returned to the field after halftime determined to win. The rain drizzled as the temperature dipped below 50 and the wind kept steady at 7 mph out of the southwest. Conditions were miserable and a wet ball forced many fumbles.
Despite this, Central held the Allen Eagles to only 3 points the entire second half.
Central, however, couldn’t gain enough footing to score.
“Had a few shots at the end of the game but couldn’t get it going,” Davis said. “Both teams are wide-open playing football teams. Weather contained us.”
Davis said his best memories of this senior Bobcat class are about their effort and what they’ve done. “This senior class has been with us since the 7th grade. Just guys you love to go play on a Friday night,” Davis said. “They set a new level of where we need to go with this program in the future.”
Central earned 17 first downs compared to Allen’s 26.
Central rushed for 139 total yards while Allen had 335. Vincent and McIvor were able to gain more yards passing, 261 to 135.
The 2016 San Angelo Central Bobcats are 12-1 for the season.
Allen will face the winner of Saturday's 1:30 p.m. semifinal game in D-FW, either Duncanville or Arlington Bowie, Dec. 3
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