SAN ANGELO, TX — The Central Bobcats football team will have one last chance to prepare for district play when it hosts the Waco Lions at 7 p.m. Friday at San Angelo Stadium.
It’s the third meeting between the programs but the first since 1958. Central won the last meeting 22-15, so Waco’s players will be looking to avenge their great-granddads’ loss.
Both of these teams have found some early success this year after going 1-9 last season.
Waco is off to a 2-2 start, which is a big deal for a program that hasn’t had more than two wins in a season since 2017.
Central is also 2-2 after back-to-back wins following a 10-game losing streak.
The Bobcats’ 33-8 win at home over Belton last week was the team’s most lopsided victory since 2020.
“It was a great night and a great crowd, and it was really good seeing those guys kind of put together a complete game for the first time this season,” Central head coach Mark Smith said. “We really had game control from the beginning. Offense, defense, kicking game, from beginning to end it was a dominant performance all the way around.”
Central’s offense produced 327 yards last week, but it seemed like the Bobcats could have had more if they needed it.
They displayed that on a 20-play, 90-yard drive that chewed up nearly eight minutes.
Central’s defense, however, was the star of the show.
The Bobcats shut out Belton for the first three quarters and held the Tigers to only 140 yards.
“I’m extremely proud of them,” Smith said. “I think the earmark of good teams is that you continue to improve every week, and this team is on that trajectory right now. From the first game to the fourth game, we’ve seen improvement in all three phases, and in particular defensively.”
Central’s defense will look to continue that improvement against a Waco team averaging only 14.8 points per game.
Belton’s defense, however, has allowed only 16 points per game, so they have the potential to keep this game close.
Smith said Waco has a senior-laden lineup, particularly on offense where the Lions have an all-senior offensive line.
They have a senior quarterback, RJ Young (39-of-76 for 494 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs) and a senior running back, Mason Smith (75 carries, 378 yards, 4 TDs).
“That kind of experience is invaluable on a football team,” Smith said. “These guys have had snaps under their belts in varsity games, so we’ll be seeing a veteran team come in here, and I’m sure they’ll be at their best.”
Central will still be without its top playmaker, wide receiver Colton Hill. Smith said Hill is still recovering from an ankle injury that could sideline him a couple more weeks.
Jimmy Edwards has stepped up in a big way in Hill’s absence. Edwards leads Central with 21 catches for 368 yards and six TDs.
After Friday’s game, Central will enjoy its bye week next week before kicking off District 2-6A play Friday, Oct. 11, at defending district champ Midland Legacy.
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