ABILENE, TX — The Central Bobcats snapped their 10-game losing streak with a thrilling 31-27 win Friday against Abilene Cooper at Shotwell Stadium.
Central quarterback Christian English threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Mason Van Sickle with 54 seconds remaining for the go-ahead score.
Defensive back Bryson Sanders then sealed the victory with an interception on Cooper's next play from scrimmage, setting off a celebration on the Bobcats' sideline.
"It feels incredible," Van Sickle said. "I've been on this team for about 380 days without a win. Getting one, we're on top of the world."
Central led 24-7 entering the fourth quarter before Cooper stormed back to take a 27-24 lead with 3:41 left.
The Bobcats shook it off and drove 75 yards for the winning TD, highlighted by a 42-yard scramble by English on a third-and-10.
On a first-and-goal from the 9, the Bobcats came out in a heavy formation, and English found Van Sickle — Central's leader on defense — uncovered in the corner of the end zone.
"Oh my goodness, so we've been drawing that up in practice the last couple of weeks," Van Sickle said. "I play linebacker, so I'm not the best with my hands. Luckily, Squeak got me a good ball and we were able to get it done."
English was sensational, throwing two TDs and running for two scores. He had 134 rushing yards on only seven carries.
His 64-yard TD run with 6:14 left in the third quarter put Central ahead 24-7.
The Bobcats senior QB often puts up big numbers. He was just happy to come home with a win Friday.
"It feels great," English said. "We work hard every week, and when we stop turnovers and stop beating ourselves, this is the outcome we're going to get."
Evan Vaughn kicked a 50-yard field goal on the final play of the first half to give Central an 18-7 lead at halftime.
Abilene Cooper gets ready to snap the ball against San Angelo Central on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene.
Van Sickle said it gave the Bobcats a boost of momentum going into the locker room.
"He's got an absolute cannon for a leg, so I loved to see that kick go through," Van Sickle said.
Central fell behind 7-0 quickly after fumbling on the first play from scrimmage, leading to a 13-yard touchdown run by Cooper's Peyton Ewing just 1:30 into the game.
But the Bobcats rallied back in a big way with the next 18 points.
English scored on a 23-yard TD run, then found tight end Christian Lara for a 21-yard TD pass with 1:19 left in the first quarter for a 15-7 lead.
The Bobcats' defense had its best showing in some time, allowing only seven points through the first three quarters, and even that score came after a fumble set Cooper up on Central's 17-yard line.
"We played really a great three quarters of football, I thought," Central head coach Mark Smith said. "We made this team earn it. We didn't give them anything free or cheap, and I think that was the difference in the game."
Central is now 1-2 with its first win under Smith. The Bobcats will host Belton next week at San Angelo Stadium.
"Just like last week, our guys never gave up. I'm so proud of the way we competed. This team is resilient, and the players deserve all the credit right there," Smith said. "We had a lead and it went away from us, and we never gave up. We fought all the way, and that's a sign of a great team and a connected team. I'm so proud of them for the way they responded."
Cooper fell to 0-3 and will visit Lubbock Coronado next week.
San Angelo Central 31, Abilene Cooper 27
Central 15 3 6 7 — 31
Cooper 7 0 0 20 — 27
First Quarter
AC — Peyton Ewing 13 run (Kyler Wheeler kick), 10:30
C — Christian English 23 run (Evan Vaughn kick), 6:33
C — Christian Lara 21 pass from English (English run), 1:19
Second Quarter
C — Vaughn 50 field goal, :00
Third Quarter
C — English 64 run (kick failed), 6:14
Fourth Quarter
AC — Jaden Carrillo 11 run (Wheeler kick), 11:17
AC — Zaylon Johnson 23 pass from Carrillo (Wheeler kick), 7:47
AC — Johnson 7 pass from Carrillo (kick blocked), 3:41
C — Mason Van Sickle 9 pass from English (Vaughn kick), :54
Evan Vaughn kicked a 50-yard field goal on the final play of the first half to give the Central Bobcats an 18-7 lead over Abilene Cooper at halftime Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene.
Captains for San Angelo Central and Abilene Cooper meet for the coin toss Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene.
The Central Bobcats celebrate after their 31-27 win over Abilene Cooper on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene.
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