Central Bobcats Survive Ugly Slugfest in Midland

MIDLAND, TX — The Central Bobcats traveled to Midland on Friday night to put their 2-game win streak to the test against the Midland Greenwood Rangers. Turnovers and penalties turned a dominant showing into a close game deep in the 2nd half before the Bobcats made the plays they needed to claim victory, 28-21.

"Winning is not a beauty contest," Coach Mark Smith said after the game. "It doesn't always look as pretty as you want it to, but you find a way to get it done. The guys did tonight."

Central won the toss and deferred to the second half. The defense started out hot, forcing a punt on the Greenwood Rangers’ first drive. However, Central could not capitalize. After driving the length of the field, Bobcats’ Micah Smith threw his first of two first-half interceptions.

Later, the Bobcats thought they had a free play on a 4th down and four in Greenwood territory, but it turned into an interception. Greenwood looked to have jumped offsides before the snap, and Smith chunked up a deep pass with that impression. Greenwood picked it off, and since there was no flag, the Rangers took over in Bobcats’ territory.
The Rangers took advantage with a 19-yard touchdown pass a few plays later and led 7-0 early in the 2nd quarter.

Central would go on to score 14 unanswered to end the half. Greenwood had no answer for running back Zey Johnson, who went for over 100 yards in the first two quarters.
Johnson scored from six yards out midway through the 2nd and again from three yards out with 40 seconds remaining in the half.

Greenwood managed a 29-yard field goal attempt with 14 seconds remaining but missed.
Central headed to the locker rooms up 14-7 at the break.

After leading 14-7 at the half, Central went up 21-7 on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Micah Smith to Ellis Johnson on 4th and four.

Then momentum completely swung in Greenwood's favor.

An explosive kick return put Greenwood on the doorstep, and the Rangers' Jackson Audas punched it into the end zone to pull Greenwood back within seven. A 3-and-out from the Bobcats gave the Rangers the ball again, and quarterback Andrick Rodriguez found a Grayson Leatherwood for the 2nd time in the game for a 60-yard score. Greenwood would miss the extra point, but still tied the Bobcats 21-21.

Things went from bad to worse for the Bobcats after another punt. Greenwood drove the field and made it to a 1st-and-goal inside the Bobcats' 5-yard line. It was do-or-die for the defense, and Central delivered.

The defense turned Greenwood back three straight times inside the 2-yard line in a game-defining series to force a field goal. On the field goal, the Bobcats blocked their second kick of the night when the Central faithful needed it most. Blaine Belcher scooped up the blocked kick and returned it 99 yards to the house for what would be the game-winning touchdown.

"I couldn't be prouder," Smith said of his defense in crunch time against their own goal line. "Regardless of the circumstance or situation, they bowed their necks right there and made plays when they had to down on the goal line. And then, when you have a chance to go block the kick, we created a new line of scrimmage and were back in the backfield."

The Bobcats forced another punt and drove down inside the Rangers' 15-yard line as they burned 4th-quarter clock. Penalties doomed that drive, however, and Central settled for a field goal attempt. Unfortunately, the attempt went wide, but at that point, the offense had done its job. 40 seconds remained on the clock.

"Hats off to Greenwood," Smith continued. "They played as well of a game that I have seen them play all year. And you knew that was going to happen when they get in this environment. They played as well as they did and we did not. But, we found a way to win, and that's what it is about."

Central's defense buckled down for one last stand and stifled the Rangers back in Greenwood territory to claim the win, 28-21.

Anyone can say whatever they want about the Bobcats' victory on Friday night. Atrocious penalty calls and turnovers aside, Central did what they had to do to win this ball game. Smith said it best when he said a win doesn't always look as pretty as you want it to, but you find a way to get it done.

Next up, the Bobcats (4-2) enter District 2-6A play at home against the Midland Lee Rebels. Permian trounced Midland Lee on Friday night 42-10 in Odessa, so the Rebels will be looking to bounce back.

Kickoff in that matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. next Friday at San Angelo Stadium.