SAN ANGELO, TX — Seeking to remain hot after two dominating wins in as many weeks, the San Angelo Central Bobcats took on the Odessa High Bronchos tonight, Oct. 30th, at San Angelo Stadium. The Bobcats, who are 2-0 in conference play, continued their winning ways in an overwhelming fashion. The ‘Cats’ defensive front proved to be way too much for the Bronchos, sacking the Odessa High quarterback more than five times. Central quarterback Malachi Brown and the rest of the offense continued to play at an impressive level, and the Bobcats put up 38 points on homecoming night to win, 38-7.
The ‘Cats’ defense kicked off this game with a bang, stopping the Odessa High offense cold, sacking QB Jadrian Cervantes on third down. Following the punt, however, the Central offense did not open up the game efficiently. Penalties and a near turnover forced the Bobcats to punt the ball right back to the Bronchos. The poor showing on the offensive side of the ball could not deter the Central defense, though. Forcing the Bronchos backward on three straight negative plays, Odessa punted again.
After penalties caused the Central offense to go nowhere on their second drive, the defense retook the field. Another set of three negative plays later, including a third-down sack by DE Ceasar Saldana and DE Monte’Vious Dobbins, the Bronchos punted the ball away. Kyson Snelson received the punt and proceeded to pull off an electrifying return back inside the Odessa High 20-yard line at the Bronchos’ 19.
With a short field and all of the game’s momentum, the Bobcats required only one play to score the contest’s opening points. QB Malachi Brown connected with WR Weston Hill on a slant pattern. Hill then took the ball 19 yards into the endzone for a touchdown. With the first quarter waning, Bobcats took the lead, 7-0.
The Bobcats committed their first mental mistake of the night in the final seconds of the 1st quarter. Backed up deep in their own territory facing a 4th and long, a kick catch interference infraction by the Bobcats set the Bronchos up inside Central territory at the 29-yard line. This mistake ended up turning into a costly one. The Bronchos took three plays for QB Cervantes to cap off the short drive on a 12-yard quarterback keeper. Odessa struck back and evened the score, 7-7.
On the ensuing drive, the Bobcats struggled to run the ball against a talented Odessa High defensive line. Minimal gains forced the ‘Cats into unfavorable downs and distances. Converting first downs when a team is behind the sticks is always difficult, but Brown proved up to the task. He connected with WR Tripp Noble on a long 3rd and 15 to push the ball past midfield. Brown then connected with Noble again on a perfectly thrown, 40-yard touchdown pass to put the Bobcats back on top, 14-7.
The Central defense continued to dominate Odessa High following the Bobcat touchdown. Facing a 3rd and long, deep in their own territory, Cervantez scrambled away from heavy Bobcat pressure and threw an errant pass across his body into traffic. Bobcat safety Andrew Lara picked off Cervantes off of a deflection, giving the ball back to the offense at the Bobcat 45-yard line.
The ‘Cats’ capitalized quickly off of the takeaway. Taking only five plays and moving the ball more than 50 yards down the field, WR Seth Levesque hauled in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Brown. Central extended their lead again, 21-7.
The Central Offense took advantage of two more opportunities to score at the end of the first half. Following another stop by the defense, Brown and the rest of the offense marched the ball 79 yards down the field to give the Bobcats a three-touchdown lead. Brown connected with Leifeste on a 50-yard catch and run to the endzone. Following the successful point after, the Bobcats began to pull away, 28-7.
Next, with 48 seconds remaining in the first half, the ‘Cats managed to move the ball down to the Odessa High 2-yard line. Although they did not manage to push the ball into the end zone, the Bobcats did kick a 17-yard field goal and further extend their lead. The ‘Cats finished the first half in a dominating fashion, 31-7.
The second half began with the Bobcats starting with the ball on offense. With the ball at the Central 30-yard line, the passing game continued to operate smoothly. Brown connected with Weston Hill, Leifeste, Noble, and Levesque on the way to another score. On a 4th and 12 at the Odessa High 20-yard line, Brown threaded the needle to Levesque for another Bobcat touchdown. Midway through the 3rd quarter, the Bobcats put the game out of reach, up 38-7.
The Central defense continued to play well in the second half. They did give up a monster, 50+ yard run to Cervantes but ultimately held at the goal line. Odessa High missed a short field goal, and the Bobcats took over on offense. Central then went on a march that chewed six minutes off the clock before finally being stopped at the Odessa High 36-yard line on a failed 4th down conversion.
Entering the 4th quarter, the second team came in on both sides of the ball. Odessa High never threatened to score again, and the Bobcats won their third game in a row, 38-7.
Analysis
The Central Bobcats controlled the entire game tonight on defense. Although the offense managed to put up some massive numbers, the defense set up their success. Not only did the defense manage to force two takeaways, one which led to a touchdown and the other to seal the game, Odessa High could not pass the ball.
Why?
The defensive front of the Bobcats got after the Broncho quarterback all night, racking up more than five sacks.
Head Coach Brent Davis noted, “Odessa is bigger than we are up front and I thought we handled them well. I thought we tackled really well. Defense played lights out.” Coach Davis also complimented his young secondary and said, “Early in the year we had a lot of new guys in there...seeing them getting to play six games now, I think they are growing up and getting better.”
The secondary continues to improve every single week as they did not give up a single big play tonight. If the talented offense can continue to lean on this defense for most of the game, the Bobcats could very well finish this season undefeated in district.
Offensively, the Bobcats put on another show tonight. QB Malachi Brown continues to be accurate with the football, does not turn the ball over, and looks incredibly comfortable. The ‘Cats did struggle running the ball for most of the night, but in the end, it did not matter. Behind the arm of Brown and the talented skill position player that Central possesses, the passing game is hard to stop. Tonight proved no different as Brown tied a school record with five touchdown passes. He spread the ball around to a slew of different receivers and this offense continues to operate at a high level.
“Malachi played excellent. He threw for five touchdowns and spread it around really well to our receivers. On the offensive line, we also had to put some young kids in there and I thought they performed pretty well,” Coach Davis said after the game.
The Bobcats continue their pursuit of the Little Southwest Conference title next week when they take on the Midland High Bulldogs, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m., at Grande Stadium, in Midland.
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