San Angelo Central Bobcats Come Back to Defeat Pebble Hills 44-40

EL PASO, TX — The San Angelo Central Bobcats traveled to El Paso to face the Pebble Hills Spartans at Socorro ISD Stadium Friday, Sept. 20, 2019.

The first half, the Central team could not find momentum. The defense wasn’t making good tackles and Pebble Hills quickly built up momentum for themselves, at one time leading the Bobcats 34-16.

Towards the end of the second quarter, however, Central seemed to regain its footing. The team proved they could move the football against the Pebble Hills team during the end of the 2nd quarter, ending the half by closing the deficit. The momentum shift began with a 52-yard run by Central quarterback Malachi Brown down the sideline that sent up a 5-yard pass to Tanner Dabbert, bringing the score to 34-24 after a 2-point conversion with 4:47 left in the half.

This drive was significant because it was a 10-play drive ending in perfect execution and it was the first pin to drop in shifting the momentum of the game towards Central’s favor.

Pebble Hills would answer, adding 6 to their score but missing the extra point. Going into the half, it was Pebble Hills leading 40-24.

Only the Central cheerleaders made the 7-hour bus drive to El Paso and they led the Bobcats out onto the field after halftime. The Bobcats proceeded to shutout the Spartans in the second half.

The shutout started with Pebble Hills kickoff to San Angelo who marched the ball 10 plays to the Pebble Hills 30 yard line. It was 4th and 14 and it looked like Bobcats would need to go for a field goal. They didn’t. Central Coach Brent Davis made the call to go for it.

It was a great decision. Quarterback Malachi Brown found Dabbert at the 5-yard line and a first down with a 25-yard completion. The next play, Brown with a keeper practically walked into the left side of end zone. The two-point conversion was good and the Bobcats closed the gap 32 to 40 with 8:10 left in the 3rd quarter.

Pebble Hills couldn’t get anything going on the next possession. San Angelo Central’s defense had come alive. The Spartans punted and Central had the ball back with 4:38 left in the 3rd quarter at the 50-yard line.

The drive ended in a Bobcats touchdown, this time with a 20-yard reception by #1 Joseph Gathecha. Central went for 2 and failed. It was 40-38 with Pebble Hills leading with 2:23 left in the 3rd quarter.

After the kickoff, Pebble Hills tried to regain the momentum. A power run by Pebble Hills running back Kylar Sanchez broke at least four Central tackles, gaining 16 yards and approaching the Central red zone. A Pebble Hills fumble and Central recovery ended the drive

Central took over and again marched the ball down the field starting at the Central 45. The drive ended with another Central touchdown with Brown running a designed keeper and Dabbert making the critical inside block with 7:50 left in the game. The 2-point conversion was no good, but Central took the lead for the first time in the game, 44-40.

In all, Bobcats put up 379 yards on the offense. Quarterback Malachi Brown was 14 of 16 attempts passing, including 10 straight completions in a row during the second half. Wide receiver Christian Gabaldon had 7 receptions for 60 yards.

This brings the 2019 record to 2-2. Central faces Weatherford for the first district game of the season at home next Friday, Sept. 27.