Central's Defense Second Half Shutout Pushes Them One Game Closer to Playoffs

SAN ANGELO, TX -- The Central Bobcats's defense dominated the L.D. Bell Blue Raiders Friday night in San Angelo Stadium. 

The game started with the Bobcats kicking off to the Raiders. They didn't take it and started the ball on their 20-yard line. 

LD Bell nor Central were able to move the ball on the first drive or the first quarter. Every possession in the quarter ended in a punt and the score was 0-0. 

On the first play of the second quarter, Bell's running back Sage Thomas busted open a 20 plus yard run that set them up to score. A few plays later Christian Gadison scored the game's first touchdown on a 3-yard run. They led 7-0 with 9:47 left in the second quarter. 

This score ended the feel out period of the game and both teams began lighting it up. Malachi Brown for the Bobcats lead a 65-yard drive, mostly through the air, that ended with Tanner Dabbert catching the Bobcats first touchdown. This tied the game 7-7 with 7:27 left in the first half. 

The following drive for the Blue Raiders was filled with different players carrying the ball. It ended with Thomas getting his first touchdown and the Raiders taking the lead 14-7 with 3:57 left in the second quarter. 

Brown and the offense went back to the field looking to answer and that they did. They drove the ball with passes to Dabbert and runs with Kris Jackson. Brown ended the drive with a 34-yard running touchdown. They tied it at 14 with a little over a minute in the half to go. 

With the Raider's strict run only offense it seemed that they would not have enough time to drive 50 plus yards. With the help of their fullback looking Quarterback Landry Choate barreling through the Bobcat defense, the Blue Raiders' ran for a 42-yard Touchdown that took the lead before half. 

The score at halftime was 21-14 with the LD Bell Blue Raiders leading the way. 

The entire second half was the best performance by the Bobcats defense of the year. They forced two three and out and converted on one of them by scoring a touchdown. This was a 20-yard pass by Brown to Jalen Leifeste. It tied the game at 21. 

After another three and out for the Blue Raiders, the Bobcats put together a 60-yard drive that ended in a Malachi Brown Touchdown. They lead at the end of the third quarter 28-21. 

To begin the fourth, the Bobcats got their first turnover of the night. The offense was stale after the turnover and went three and out. The next drive, Defensive End Bradey Allen caused another fumble which Central recovered.

After the play was complete, Central's Middle Linebacker went in at tailback and ran for a 68-yard touchdown which increased the lead to 35-21. 

Following the touchdown, LD Bell's Choate fumbled after a team timeout. Central took advantage of this by running in another touchdown with Hartsfield. This touchdown capped off the game and the Bobcats won 42-21. 

Brown went 21 for 30 for 144 yards with one touchdown and an interception. He also ran for 67 yards and two touchdowns. 

Central moves to 5-4 overall, 3-2 in district. They will face Halton on November 8. 

L.D. Bell moves to 3-5, 1-3 in district. They will face Halton Friday.