Commentary: [Identity] Crisis Averted, Setting Central up in Position for District Championship

SAN ANGELO, TX-- When senior quarterback Maverick McIvor suffered a season-ending knee injury in the third quarter against Del Rio, fans immediately put Central’s season in question.

Can they even make the playoffs? Can a sophomore really lead this offense? Where do we go from here?

Given how much McIvor did for Central’s offense, those questions weren’t misplaced and they were likely amplified in a 37-22 loss to Cedar Park the very next week. After all, Central’s offense struggled in Malachi Brown’s first start as a quarterback. It wasn’t what those following the Bobcats were used to.

But you’re not going to be able to replace a player like McIvor, who’s committed to Texas Tech. He’s the type of player who comes around once every blue moon at a high school program.

The Central coaching staff knew that and set about retooling the offense to fit their sophomore receiver-turned-quarterback.

Prior to McIvor going down, Central threw the ball roughly 36 times per game. Since Brown took over, that number has dropped to roughly 25 times per game. In their 32-28 win over Fort Worth Richland, the Bobcats threw the ball 17 times with Brown.

Instead, Central has turned to a methodical, run-oriented team with Brown leading the charge.

The sophomore has rushed the ball 124 times for 993 yards and eight touchdowns since taking the reins for Central.

Head coach Brent Davis and his staff knew they would likely have to turn into a run-oriented offense given Brown’s skill set.

But Brown, who has proven to be incredibly athletic, can’t shoulder the entire load to get the run game going for Central.

Heading into their meeting with Richland on Friday night, head coach Brent Davis said the Bobcats were looking “for a running back to make a difference” because they hadn’t been able to make explosive plays out of the backfield.

Sam Goodloe had easily his best game since transferring to Central. The senior had 97 yards of total offense and two touchdowns on 13 total touches on Friday night.

The win Friday night also gave Central confidence in their ground game. Brown shattered an 18-year school record with 338 rushing yards on 42 carries and led a comeback against one of the better teams in District 3-6A.

Central gets another chance to build confidence in week 9 against Hurst L.D. Bell (1-6, 0-3) on the road.

While Bell is the district’s bottom dweller, they will be looking to spoil Central’s quest for a district championship.

After last night, Central and Euless Trinity remain just a half-game back of first place Haltom. If Central can get the crucial road win in week 9, that would set up a district championship meeting between Central and Haltom at San Angelo Stadium in the regular season finale.

After Central's 70-28 loss to Trinity, it seemed as though a district championship was out of reach. Trinity then lost to Haltom the next week and Central beat Abilene to set the stage for the home stretch of the season.

Haltom faces Richland and Bell in weeks 9 and 10. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Haltom were 5-0 with a share of the district championship clinched heading into that meeting.