Abilene High Runs Away With Game Late Against San Angelo Central

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated with San Angelo Central's official stats.

SAN ANGELO, TX — The Central Bobcats held their own against No. 8-ranked Abilene High for much of their season opener at San Angelo Stadium on Friday night.

Then everything fell apart in the fourth quarter.

Central was within a touchdown heading into the final quarter, but Abilene High scored the game's final 17 points to pull away for a 60-36 win.

"Bad ball. That's what I just told the team. We’re about telling the truth, and it wasn’t good. It wasn’t good enough," Central head coach Mark Smith said. "I know we're playing a good team, but we didn't play to our standard tonight, and that's what was disappointing."

Central was playing catch-up the entire game, but it looked like the Bobcats might actually chase Abilene High down when they pulled within 43-36 late in the third quarter, then recovered an onside kick.

Central was unable to capitalize, however, and turned the ball over on downs.

Abilene High was held to a field goal on its ensuing drive, but the Bobcats went three and out, and the Eagles scored a touchdown to put the game away with a 53-36 lead.

Abilene High scored on a 15-yard fumble recovery with less than two minutes remaining, making the final score appear more lopsided than it actually was.

"The team has a good mentality, and it didn't translate into a great performance tonight. But the good part about this is we've got these games in nondistrict to kind of feel ourselves out," Smith said. "This is the first time I've seen these guys when live bullets were flying, and man we didn't respond, the defense especially. We did on offense. I was really happy with some of the drives we sustained and the first downs. Not a lot of big plays, just matriculating the ball down the field.

"It's just hard to do that every single drive, and we were kind of put in that position tonight, and that's not a good formula for winning."

Central is coming off a 1-9 season, while Abilene High went 11-3 last year and reached the state quarterfinals.

Central junior Elijah Allen had a breakout game Friday with 22 carries for 94 yards. Darius Huitt had 14 carries for 52 yards.

Bobcats wide receiver Colton Hill had nine catches for 81 yards. His 17-yard TD with 15 seconds left in the first half pulled Central within 28-22 at halftime.

Jimmy Edwards had six catches for 94 yards and two TDs, including a couple of highlight-reel grabs.

Tight end Casner Stribling had three catches for 65 yards.

Central quarterback Christian English was 22-of-35 passing for 269 yards and three TDs. He also ran for two scores.

Central's defense was led by Jace Wilde Bishop with six tackles. Zayden Norton had an interception, and Tucker Beaty forced a fumble.

Abilene High wide receiver Ryland Bradford, who is committed to UTEP, was dynamic every time he touched the ball. He had five catches for 156 yards and three TDs, along with three carries for 30 yards and a TD.

Eagles quarterback Brayden Henry displayed some blazing speed and had eight carries for 64 yards, along with two catches for 12 yards when he came out of the backfield with sophomore quarterback Tristan Beal in the game.

Henry also showed off his arm with three TD passes, including some pinpoint deep throws.

Central will look to bounce back next week when it travels to Amarillo High. The Bobcats won't return home until Week 4 against Belton.

Abilene High will take on crosstown rival Abilene Cooper next week.