The Central Bobcats are Bi-District Champions

ODESSA, TX — Just two years since the Central Bobcats finished a disappointing season 1-9 overall, the 'Cats are Bi-District Champions. The Bobcats (8-3) battled it out with a tough El Paso Pebble Hills (7-4) team all night, but made the plays Central needed to make to capture the Bobcats' first championship trophy since 2020, 24-14.

"What an amazing group of guys," Head Coach Mark Smith said after the game. "We completely flipped the script on the last two years. This is an amazing group of players who have just bought in completely. I reminded them that this time is going to be defined by winning championships. We had a championship on the line tonight, and we won it."

Central's defense played well throughout the first half. El Paso Pebble Hills popped a few big runs here and there, but overall, the Bobcats kept the Spartans in check through two quarters. Defensive Tackle Brian Sandoval has the lone takeaway in this ball game. Central's big man intercepted a screen pass at the end of the 1st quarter to set up the first touchdown.

The Bobcats' lone score of the first half happened early in the 2nd quarter. Elijah Allen ripped off a 32-yard run deep into Spartan territory to Pebble Hill's 8-yard line. Two plays later, Micah Smith found Jimmy Edwards on a post route for the 10-yard score.

The 'Cats had one final opportunity to score before the half. The Bobcats converted two 4th down attempts and drained the final seven minutes off the clock to set up a 36-yard field goal attempt. Unfortunately, the kick went wide right and the 'Cats headed to the locker room with a 7-0 advantage. 

In the second half, the 'Cats defense stepped up again to give their offense more chances to put the ball into the end zone. After both teams were forced to punt, Central's defense came up with another takeaway. Pebble Hill's quarterback tucked the ball to run, but was met at the line by a swarm of Bobcats, and coughed up the football. Austin Luckey dove on the loose ball to set the 'Cats up in Spartan territory. Central extended its lead after Caleb Holbert nailed a 36-yard field goal to put the Bobcats up 10-0.

Pebble Hills finally found some success following the field goal. Two big scrambles and a deep pass set the Spartans up in plus territory before driving inside the 10-yard line. Central held on to force a 3rd and goal, but Pebble Hills would then score to cut Central's lead to 10-7.

Central lost the momentum, but Jimmy Edwards ripped it back for the Bobcats. Faced with a 3rd and long, Micah Smith scrambled away from pressure before he found Jimmy Edwards near the sideline. Initially covered, Smith found some open space to make the catch. He then sprinted 73 yards to the house, completely changing the game. Central went back up by 10 points near the end of the 3rd quarter.

Hear from Edwards after the game below: