Turnovers Kill Central Bobcats in District Opener

SAN ANGELO, TX — The Central Bobcats opened up District 2-6A play at home against the Midland Lee Rebels on Friday night. Despite leading for much of the game, turnovers allowed Lee to climb back in it and take the lead in the second half and win 32-27.

The Bobcats had an opportunity to win the ball game late in the fourth quarter that came up just short. Central's defense forced a field goal with 1:47 remaining in the game to fall behind 32-27, but with time to go and score. Micah Smith connected with Jesse Smith on a deep ball to put the Bobcats at Lee's 25-yard line, but Central never managed to get into the end zone. Faced with a fourth and long, Smith put a ball over the middle at the goal line, but it fell incomplete.

Central's defense came out of the gate on fire on Friday night. Blustering winds aided the Bobcats early after two straight stops. Punts into the wind set up Central with great field position and allowed the Bobcats to take an early 14-0 lead.

Zey Johnson acted as the bell cow on the first two drives. He scored from five yards out before converting a fourth down on the ensuing offensive possession, setting up another touchdown, this time from 11 yards.

Midland Lee responded late in the first quarter after a deep pass from JP Reyes to Jordon Shields set up a 7-yard touchdown from Reyes two plays later. Central led 14-8 heading into the second quarter.

In the second, Central threw two picks that turned into 10 Midland Lee points before the break. Johnson would add another score to lift the Bobcats to 21 points, but Midland Lee scored with 40 seconds remaining in the half to pull back within a field goal.

Both teams headed to the locker room with Central leading 21-18.

Central opened the half with a beautiful 10-plus play drive that took more than seven-and-a-half minutes off the clock, ending with Johnson's fourth rushing touchdown of the ball game. Central led 27-18, with 5:30 to play in the third.

However, this is where it went wrong for the Bobcats.

Midland Lee scored quickly on the ensuing possession; a two-point conversion made it 27-26. Then the Rebels blocked a Bobcats punt. Central's defense forced a field goal, but Midland took the lead, 29-27, with time running out in the third.

Central would then throw interceptions on two straight drives to allow Midland Lee to drain much of the fourth-quarter clock. After the first, the defense stepped up and blocked a field goal attempt from the Rebels, but another interception handed the ball back to Midland Lee's offense.

Central forced another field goal and got the ball back with less than two minutes to play, but did not score. Lee kneeled out the final seconds to claim victory, 32-27.

Central falls to 4-3 overall and 0-1 in district and looks to bounce back next week when the Bobcats hit the road to play Odessa High. Kickoff in that matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Ratliff Stadium.