Pieces are Falling into Place: 3 Biggest Takeaways from Central's Scrimmage with Abilene Cooper

SAN ANGELO, TX-- With one week until their season opener, the Central Bobcats held their final tune-up before the 2018 season officially starts.

In a scrimmage with a solid Abilene Cooper squad, the Bobcats were able to truly see where they are before playing Killeen Shoemaker next Friday.

“We’re a little further than I thought we were,” tenth year head coach Brent Davis said. “We’ve just got so many young kids out here playing that have never played at this level. I thought we saw some good things. We’ll find out more after we watch film.”

Overall, Central scored seven times compared to Cooper’s two scores in the more controlled environment of the scrimmage.

During the live half where the teams played 10-minute quarters, both teams began rather shaky, turning the ball over multiple times.

In those two quarters, Central scored two times while Cooper found paydirt just once.

Prior to the quarters, each team possessed the ball for 10 minutes each.

After the scrimmage it is apparent where Central’s strengths are.

Here are the five biggest takeaways from the scrimmage:

Defense will Bend a Lot

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With few returning starters, the questions surround the Bobcat defense once again.

The Cooper offense was able to get deep into Central territory on multiple occasions, but only came away with two scores in the entire scrimmage. One came against Central’s second string offense and the other came against their starters in the live quarters.

The Bobcats were also able to force multiple fumbles and interceptions. Being able to do that against a team like Euless Trinity down the line could be a big factor for Central’s success.

Davis said there were “a lot of lazy plays” due to the defense’s fitness, but assured it would be remedied.

Malik Finley and the defensive line were constantly pressuring Cooper’s quarterback.

“Our front four guys played well,” Davis said. “They got tired, which you expect. Nobody is ever going to play 10 minutes straight...We do that for a reason. We want them to get fatigued and get themselves into shape and, also, to understand what it’s like to play fatigued. So, with all that in consideration, I thought the defense played wonderful.”

Cody Parker made a few big plays in the secondary, including a turnover.

“I thought Cody Parker looked really good,” Davis said. “He made some really good plays for us.”

Central has Reloaded their Skill Positions

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Receivers Tanner Dabbert, Christian Gabaldon, Jackson Timme and Phillip Lupton each proved they will be able to pose a threat to secondaries in 2018.

Davis was impressed with their play in the scrimmage, as well.

“They all played really well,” Davis said. “They caught the ball well, caught some really hard balls, took some shots, got their feet wet, no doubt.”

Gabaldon stood out in Davis’ eyes. In his first year on varsity, Gabaldon will be asked to fill one of the two voids left by Jesse Scott and Henry Teeter’s departure.

The tall receiver made a big splash in Central’s first possession of the scrimmage, catching a deep pass from Maverick McIvor to set the Bobcats up deep inside the redzone.

Also stepping up was sophomore Malachi Brown. The sophomore took snaps as a quarterback with the second string offense as well as snaps as a running back with the first string.

He was able to find holes in the defense and even found the promised land for the Bobcats.

“It’s good because he’s just a sophomore,” Davis said. “He’s somebody we were hoping would come along and he’s come along maybe a little faster than we thought. So, we feel good about him. He had a great scrimmage.”

Solid Running Back Corps Will Open Central’s Offense

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Reagan County transfer Sam Goodloe and Bobby Pena showed how high the potential is for Central’s offense in the scrimmage.

Pena, standing at 5-foot-5 and 172 pounds, is more of a shifty back, able to weave in and out of holes and pick up yards.

Goodloe, standing at 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds, is more of a bruising back who’s not afraid to lower his shoulder and knock defenders over. In fact, that’s how he scored Central’s opening drive.

“We’re hoping [Goodloe] is going to be the back we can hang our hat on, him and Bobby,” Davis said. “Bobby is a tough, solid guy...He’s not flashy, he’s not going to outrun anybody, but he’s solid, he’s always there. He knows what to do and he’s going to do his best.

Davis loves the idea of that 1-2 punch, especially once the Bobcats get their offensive line sured up.

“If we can solve our front and just get guys healthy and get guys on the field and get our starting five put together, I think we’re going to be alright on offense,” Davis said.

The Bobcats will face Killeen Shoemaker at home next Friday to open the season.