4th Quarter Comeback Falls Short for the Central Bobcats

SAN ANGELO, TX — Special teams miscues and turnovers put the Central Bobcats behind the ball against the Midland High Bulldogs on Friday night.

The Bobcats fell to Midland High 43-40.

A failed punt that led to a fumble returned for a touchdown and a blocked extra point handed the Bulldogs nine free points in the first quarter as the Bobcats fell behind early. Two second-half interceptions sunk the Bobcats deeper into a hole, and even a heculean 4th quarter effot was not enough to give Central a win.

"Too many mistakes to overcome," Coach Mark Smith said after the game. "We played from behind most of the game, and when you do, it's hard to find a rhythm. That's just kinda how it was tonight. The weather, the wet ball, bad snaps and not handling that early on, this ends up being the outcome of the game."

Midland High struck first in the first quarter. A long touchdown pass from the Bulldogs' Holt Howard put Midland High on the board, 7-0.

Central had their first miscue on the following drive. After failing to convert on 4th down, rain caused a bad snap to the punter, who mishandled it and put it on the turf. The Bulldogs descended and scooped up the loose football and returned it for a touchdown. Midland High led 14-0 midway through the 1st.

Central finally clawed its way onto the board early in the 2nd quarter. Micah Smith scambled out of pressure and made a dive for the pylon for the Bobcats' first score. However, the extra point was then blocked. The Bulldogs scooped it up and returned it 90 yards to the house for two points. Midland High led 16-6 early in the 2nd quarter.

Howard continued to be a problem on the ground, breaking multiple big runs that led to two more Bulldog touchdowns before the break.

Central continued to fight, scoring with five minutes to play in the half on a 26-yard Zey Johnson touchdown run. Finally, Central executed an excellent 2-minute drill to put up one more touchdown before the half. Smith connected with Gavin Johnson on a 24-yard touchdown with six seconds to play.

Central headed to the locker room, down 30-20 at the half.

Midland High would extend its lead to 37-20 before Central mounted a furious comeback. Zey Johnson scored his second touchdown of the evening after a 45-yard run put Central inside the five. Johnson reversed the field to score, pulling Central back within ten points.

Central's defense played much better in the 2nd half. The Bobcats allowed a single touchdown and two field goals in the final two quarters. On offense, two interceptions put Central in a situation where the clock became the enemy.

Down 43-27, Central finally put its foot on the gas pedal. A long touchdown from Micah Smith to Jesse Smith pulled Central back to ten points before a 65-yard bomb to Gavin Johnson left the score at 43-40 with just over a minute to play.

Unfortunately for the Bobcats, Midland High recovered the subsequent onside kick and ran out the rest of the clock.

Central just ran out of time and fell on Friday night 43-40.

Despite the loss, these Bobcats showed fight on a night that San Angelo ISD honored the 1966 Central State Championship team. Members from that state title team came out on the field after the 1st quarter despite the rain to loud applause from San Angelo Stadium.

In addition, Midland Lee thumped Odessa High 51-13 to secure Central's playoff spot, but now the Bobcats face the tall order of beating Odessa Permian for a better playoff seed.

The Bobcats play their season finale on the road at Ratliff Stadium against Mojo next Friday. Kickoff in that matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m.