Ozona Falls to Anson in Bi-District Round Slugfest

BIG SPRING, TX — The Ozona Lions battled it out with the Anson Tigers in the Bi-District Round of the 2025 Texas High School Playoffs on Friday night in Big Spring. Despite playing solid defense all night, turnovers and penalties stymied the high-octane Ozona offense as the Lions fell to Anson, 35-14.

Ozona's defense had success early as the Lions intercepted Anson on the Tigers' first drive. However, a fumble handed the ball back to the Tigers, who scored shortly after to take the lead, 6-0.

The Lions responded when Christian Villarreal took a handoff 41 yards to the house for an Ozona touchdown. A missed 2-point conversion left the score tied 6-6 in the 1st quarter.

Anson would retake the lead after another Ozona fumble. Villarreal had the ball stripped away as the Lions were looking for the go-ahead touchdown. Anson then took the football over 80 yards for the score. The Tigers led 14-6 in the 2nd quarter.

The Tigers would add to their lead before the half. Another fumble by the Ozona offense set up Anson's Malachi St. John with his second touchdown of the ball game. Ozona trailed 21-6 midway through the 2nd quarter.

Ozona responded shortly after. The Lions' Andres Quiroz caught a touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone to keep Ozona in the ball game. However, a deep pass by the Tigers would extend the lead back to 13 just before the half. Ozona trailed 27-14 headed to the locker room at the break.

The Lions' defense played admirably in the 2nd half. Unfortunately, penalties and another turnover kept the Lions out of the end zone. Time and time again, Ozona would come up with a big play, but a penalty drove the Lions back. Say what you will about Ozona's turnover issues, the penalties were a defining factor throughout the night.

The Tigers deserve credit for their game plan on defense, as Anson kept Ozona out of the end zone in the second half. No matter what Ozona attempted to do, the Tigers seemed ready for it. Anson added a final touchdown before it was all said and done, claiming the victory, 35-14.