Bobcats Looking to Build on Strong Performance with Road Trip to Del Rio

SAN ANGELO, TX-- In their 19-7 win over Killeen Shoemaker, Central’s offense found a way to get the job done despite not lighting up the scoreboard.

That was thanks, in large part, to an assist from their defense which allowed one touchdown.

“I thought the defense played really good,” Davis said. “We held a really explosive, talented group [Killeen Shoemaker] to seven points. I know they had a couple of drops that could have turned into something else, but, overall, we really, I thought, played extremely well on defense.”

While the Bobcat offense posted their lowest point total in recent memory, they still managed to put up 408 yards of offense.

Finishing inside the redzone is where the Bobcats need to improve, according to Davis.

“Offensively, we played really good between the 20s,” Davis added. “We didn’t finish our drives real well. It seemed like it was always something we did to ourselves. Either it was a penalty or a busted play that caused us some trouble when we got down into the redzone. We’ve gotta get that fixed.”

The Bobcat’s focus is now on the Del Rio Rams (0-1), who Central is rather familiar with.

“I love playing Del Rio,” Davis said. “It’s always been a really good game. We scrimmaged them several times and played them a couple of times. It’s always been a battle. It’s always good for both of us.”

It’ll be the first road trip for the Bobcats and the first varsity trip for a lot of the younger guys on the team.

Despite having a fairly young squad, Davis is confident in his team and his travel plan.

“All of it matters,” Davis said regarding player development. “Our kids travel good, you know. We expect them to. We have a plan that we follow. Everything is by the minute. So, they don’t have any dead time. We usually travel really well. We have in the past and I don’t expect it to be any different.”

The Bobcats will likely target Jackson Timme a little more after hauling in 12 catches for 180 yards in their week 1 win.

“He played great,” Davis said. “He had 12 catches. Had a couple of drops and could’ve tied a school record. Any time you’re close to that, that’s a big deal around here, especially with the way we throw the ball...He’s a really nice target for Maverick [McIvor]. He’s a speedy inside guy that makes a lot of plays. I thought he carried our offense.”

Leading Central’s defensive surge in week 1 was Daylon Green with 12 tackles.

“He’s a leader,” Davis praised. “He was player of the week for us. No doubt, he’s going to be the kind of guy we expected him to be.”

After the scrimmage with Abilene Cooper, Davis and his staff decided to move Green from his Will linebacker position on the weak side to the Mike linebacker position on the strong side.

“We felt like we needed more production there,” Davis said. “So, we got him there.”

The tenth year head coach also praised Jacob Wieting for his role at Will linebacker, as well as the whole defense.

“We stopped the run extremely well,” Davis said. “I think they had less than like 8 yards rushing on designed runs. All their yardage came on busted plays, bad snaps and those kinds of things. I feel good about it. The sound football we played to stop their offense was excellent.”

While running backs Bobby Pena and Sam Goodloe didn’t break out in the opener, patience is a virtue for Davis.

“It is what it is,” Davis said. “We have a couple of kids who play really hard and they’re going to get their stuff whenever the time comes, whenever the defense gives it to us…I thought with the limited amount that we did rush the ball, [the run game] did really well. It was pretty even. Maverick and our starting running backs had an even amount of yards and carries. That’s how we want it to be.”

Until that time comes, Central will rely on the strong arm of Texas Tech commit Maverick McIvor.

“We’ve got a great quarterback,” Davis said. “We’re going to throw the football. That’s the strength of our team. That’s where...we feel like we’re best when we’re trying to do that and find ways to do that.”

Davis thinks Del Rio is better than they have been in past meetings. Despite a 45-7 loss to San Antonio Warren, Davis won’t overlook the Rams.

“Del Rio is going to be good,” Davis said. “They’ve got a good quarterback. [He] stands in the pocket when you give him time. He can throw the ball well. They have a good running back. They’re bigger than we are. They’ve got more size up front.”

Being undersized isn’t new for the Bobcats. The Bobcats will rely on speed and technique to counteract that mismatch, according to Davis.

“We usually don’t match up well with who we play like last week,” Davis said. “Usually, we’re going to be a little smaller. Hopefully, we’re a little quicker and we have great technique. That’s who we are. That’s what we’ve been in the past.”

In that loss to Warren, Davis feels the game “snowballed” away from Del Rio due to turnovers and mistakes. However, the veteran coach knows a lot can happen from week 1 to week 2.

“Teams always get better before the second game,” Davis said. “Between the first game and the second game, there’s a marked improvement. Sometimes, the most you’ll have all year. So, I expect them to play well.

Central and Del Rio will square off in the border town this Friday at 7:30 p.m.