When the Lion is Hungry, He Eats: Ozona Takes Down Brady to Stay Unbeaten

BRADY, TX— The Ozona Lions went to war with the Brady Bulldogs on Friday and emerged victorious, 46-32.

The senior-heavy pride of Lions, led by running back Christian Villarreal, proved to be too much for the Bulldogs and remain undefeated on the season.

After two convincing wins, one over McCamey and the other over Eldorado, Ozona had its biggest test yet against Brady, and the Bulldogs gave the Lions a fight they’ll remember.

The game kicked off and started with a bang. Brady booted the ball to the Lions and held Ozona to what many thought was a three-and-out. Villarreal, who not only runs the ball, but punts as well, took the snap and instead of kicking it away, took off and ran 64 yards before getting tackled at the 5-yard line. On the second play of the new set of down, Ozona quarterback Michael Preddy dumped a pass over the lines for Andon Glosson for a 3-yard score. With 9:34 left in the opening quarter, the Lions took an 8-0 lead.

Brady answered and drove down the field to the 1-yard line where quarterback Sean Jacoby dove across the goal line for a touchdown. After an interference backed the Bulldogs up on their two-point conversion try, they were denied on the attempt and trailed 8-6 with 5:06 remaining in the first.

The next Bulldog drive, Jacoby scored on a 25-yard run. Then, he found his running back to add two points, giving Brady the lead, 14-8, with just over a minute and a half left in the first quarter. On the ensuing Ozona drive, Bulldog linebacker Johnny Roque broke through the offensive line and tackled Villarreal to end the quarter.

On the same drive and on fourth down, Roque did it again and Brady took over on downs. With 7:53 remaining in the half, Jacoby threw the ball to Alijah Stark, but Ozona’s Leo Blanco stepped in front of the pass for an interception. Blanco’s pick set up Villarreal’s 3-yard TD run. With that, the Ozona Lions reclaimed the lead, 16-14.

Brady took over with 27 seconds left before halftime, and Jacoby found Stark in the back corner of the end zone for a score. Now, Brady led 20-16 with 11 seconds on the clock before the break.

The next Lions possession, everyone believed the game had gone to halftime as Villarreal was seemingly tackled as the buzzer sounded. Brady went to head into the locker room, but the Lions somehow called a timeout. It was very bang-bang, but the refs made the call and gave Ozona one second on the clock.

One second was all the Lions' offense needed to add another score. Preddy took the snap and rolled out to the left side of the field. The receivers on that side cleared out while JP Garza ran towards the sideline. Preddy didn’t hesitate and locked in on Garza who ended up with a wide-open touchdown catch.

Instead of Brady going in up 20-16, the Lions took the lead, 24-20, at the half. It was enough excitement that one would be mistaken to think the game was over.

To add to that excitement, on the opening kickoff of the second half, Brady fumbled the ball after a big hit, and Ozona scooped the ball and scored, extending its lead, 32-20. With just under 7 minutes, the Lions had the ball again. This time, Preddy found Andres Quiroz 8 yards downfield and in the end zone. At this point, the game began getting out of hand.

The Bulldogs would not go down without a fight, and there was still plenty of football left in this game. The next Brady drive was all Jacoby, who had an incredible run to get into the red zone. With 6:04 left in the third quarter, Jacoby found the end zone again to cut the Lions' lead to 40-26.

Under two minutes to go in the third, Villarreal did something he’s known for this season, and that’s break off a huge run. He took the handoff and ran right up the middle for a 41-yard TD. On the two-point conversion, DeMarcus Reed snagged himself an interception. He took off from the goal line but was tackled around midfield. Even after Reed’s impressive pick, the Lions still led by 20 points, 46-26.

Brady was driving to end the third quarter and, in the fourth, Jacoby found Ashton Taylor on a little out route, which he turned into a 12-yard score. Now, Ozona leads 46-32.

An onside kick was coming. Jacoby kicked off and the ball bounced off a Lion, and the Bulldogs recovered. The Lions stopped a potential comeback and won the game, 46-32.

Too many drives in this game were extended by penalties. Be it unsportsmanlike conducts, roughing the passer, or holding calls, both teams had their fair share of yellow laundry thrown at them.

Ozona’s Preddy was very efficient, going 9-10 for 87 yards and 2 TDs. Villarreal did not have the monster game he’s used to having this season — after back-to-back performances of 371 and 373 yards — but still managed to rush for 230 yards on 27 carries, crossed the goal line twice and also had 43 receiving yards.

 JP Garza caught three passes for 27 yards and one TD

Ozona ended up with 271 yards rushing and 92 receiving for the game.

Defensively, Kaleb Ramon and JP Garza led the team in tackles with 18 and 11, respectively. Jay Borrego and Garza each had a sack, and Blanco and Garza each had one interception.

While the Bulldogs came up short in this one, Jacoby had one heck of a game. He led an offense that had 497 total yards with 357 rushing yards and 140 passing. He might not look like it, but Jacoby is a dual threat and is dangerous with his legs. He had 21 carries for 255 yards and three TDs. Taylor took 15 rushing attempts for 111 yards.

Through the air, Jacoby went 7-of-19 for 140 yards, two TDs and two interceptions. He only completed seven passes but had a handful (about four) drops by receivers.

Stark and Taylor each caught two passes for 68 and 41 yards, respectively, and they each had one TD. 

For the Bulldogs defense, Roque had 19 total tackles, and Nasir “The Mountain” Menefield was a problem, making plays on just about every Lions drive. Brody Powell had the Bulldogs' lone sack. Reed had 10 tackles and an interception on a two-point conversion play.

Ozona and Brady both put the Concho Valley on notice. The Lions will eat when they’re hungry, and the Bulldogs will bully opponents.

Next week, the 3-0 Ozona Lions have a home game against the 2-1 Harper Longhorns, and the 2-1 Brady Bulldogs face off against the 2-1 Ballinger Bearcats at Bulldog Stadium.