San Angelo Central Tops Odessa High for First District Win

SAN ANGELO, TX — The Central Bobcats had to wait an extra day, but they put an end to their district losing streak with a 23-13 win Saturday over Odessa High at San Angelo Stadium.

Lightning forced the game's postponement Friday night with Odessa High leading 7-0 with 4:45 remaining in the first quarter.

The teams returned to the field Saturday afternoon in front of a much-smaller crowd and without their marching bands.

Central recovered from its slow start and took a 14-7 lead into halftime, then held on through an eventful second half for its first district win since 2022.

"We didn't play our best football, but we won," Central head coach Mark Smith said. "I'm so proud of the guys, the seniors, the investment they made in this program. Their last game on this field, and they get to walk off a winner. I couldn't be prouder of the guys."

When Central took a 21-7 lead on Christian English's 1-yard touchdown run with 4:55 left in the third quarter, it appeared it might be smooth sailing to a Bobcats' victory.

Instead, the game took a quick turn with one crazy play after another.

Odessa High used a trick play to spring Xavier Perales free for a 75-yard touchdown catch from Santi Medrano to get within 21-13.

Central blocked the extra point, however, and Kasen Rodgers returned it the distance — trucking an Odessa High player along the way — for a 23-13 lead.

Odessa High then recovered an onside kick, and the Bronchos drove as far as the 8-yard line, but the Bobcats defense made an important stand.

Two plays later, English hit Jimmy Edwards for a pass that turned into a 75-yard reception, but Edwards somehow fumbled the ball as he was stepping out of bounds, and Odessa High was given another chance to stay in the game.

The Bronchos threatened as they reached Central's 20, but the Bobcats defense stood strong again.

"They came out and just kept making stops," Smith said of the defense. "The first drive last night, (the Bronchos) go down the field and score. But other than that, we played excellent football. That trick play got us on a touchdown here, but we had what it takes to come back with a strong effort on a PAT field goal block after a disappointing play.

"That block extended the lead to 10 points, so it was a big play in the game."

Central's Gabriel Rodriguez intercepted a pass on Odessa High's final drive to seal the win.

Smith said he was pleased with how his players handled the weather delay.

"Obviously, it had a more positive impact on us being home. We were able to go home and get more sleep and regroup and come back and get ready," Smith said. "The mindset of the players when they got in the building today was wonderful. They were ready to go perform and ready to go play."

Central running back Elijah Allen had 18 carries for 127 yards in what may have been his best performance of the season, though he also lost a fumble.

Edwards finished with three catches for 111 yards, including a 32-yard TD catch in which he shook a defender after a short grab then raced down the sideline to give Central a 14-7 lead.

English was 6-of-11 passing for 158 yards and a TD with an INT. He had nine carries for 54 yards and two TDs.

Medrano, who moved from wide receiver to QB two weeks after the starter was injured, was 20-of-36 passing for 290 yards and a TD with one INT. He also had 14 carries for 50 yards.

Benjamin Matthews had four catches for 83 yards, Aramis Rodriguez had seven catches for 82 yards, and Perales had two catches for 81 yards and a TD. 

Jaihan Perez had 14 carries for 65 yards.

The Bobcats improved to 4-5 overall and 1-3 in District 2-6A, while Odessa High fell to 2-6, 0-4.

Central, which has been eliminated from playoff contention, will close out its season next week at district leader Frenship. Odessa High will host Midland Legacy.

San Angelo Central 23, Odessa High 13

Odessa   7   0   6   0 — 13

Central   0   14   9   0 — 23

First Quarter

O — Dominick Taylor 2 run (Pedro Munoz kick), 5:10

Second Quarter

C — Christian English 7 run (Evan Vaughn kick), 4:15

C — Jimmy Edwards 32 pass from English (Vaughn kick), 1:43

Third Quarter

C — English 1 run (Vaughn kick), 4:55

O — Xavier Perales 75 pass from Santi Medrano (kick blocked), 4:40

C — Kasen Rodgers blocked extra point return, 4:40