San Angelo's Angry Orange Shut Out in the Metroplex

ARLINGTON, TX — Arlington Martin came to the University of Texas at Arlington Maverick Stadium ready to brawl, and they did. Outmatched in talent, the San Angelo Central Bobcats from west Texas were unable to mount much of a fight.

Martin, flush with talent that averaged 223 yards per game this season, Central had to find its way to remain competitive. It looked like an even match for much of the first quarter.

Central got the ball first but was forced to punt after three downs. Then it was Martin’s turn and they had a three-and-out as well. After a second three and out by Central, Martin finally created momentum on their second drive with 6 minutes left in the 1st. Martin drove the ball from their own 30, accented by a dropped pass in the end zone to #8 Ryan Wallace. The drive ended with a 37-yard field goal and it was 3-0 Martin.

Central earned its inaugural first down with 1:30 left in the 1st but then on the next play, Central’s quarterback Malachi Brown fumbled the ball at the Central 46. The next play, Martin’s quarterback Zach Mundell took the football to the house. It was 10-0 Martin and despite the fighting spirit on Central’s part, you could see the momentum begin to quickly swing away from them.

The next Central drive was pivotal in determining how the rest of the game went. Finally able to move the ball against Martin’s capable defense, Central marched from their own 31 to the 42. Then, RB Aston Hartsfield fumbled the ball at the 42 and it was Martin’s ball again.

Martin almost returned the favor when RB #3 Swayne Williams fumbled the ball on their next possession. That is when Central’s two defensive ends #33 Xy’Kerion Paulk and #34 Robert Casler stripped the ball, but Martin recovered it. On this drive after three touchdowns were called back for Martin penalties, Martin scored another field goal. Added to another touchdown earlier, it was 20-0 Martin with 10 minutes left in the half.

The rest of the half was much the same, as any chance of controlling the line of scrimmage from Martin’s QB Mundell, and his arsenal of receivers like #14 Cal Robinson and running backs like #3 Dwayne Williams, slipped quickly from Central’s reach.

At the start of the 3rd quarter, Central fans were looking to see what adjustments Central made in the locker room. Whatever it was, Martin adjusted too. On Martin’s first drive of the second half, Martin’s Mundell rushed the ball into Central’s territory with a 30-yard designed keeper. After the score, Central was looking at 48 unanswered points. By the end of the 3rd quarter, Martin had added another touchdown making it 55-0.

Central could not stop Martin’s ground attack. In all Martin racked up 518 yards total to Central’s 187. The story of the game can be summarized in Martin’s ground game, where they rushed for 348 yards. Coupled with four Central’s turnovers, Central got stuffed and Martin scored 9 touchdowns against them.

Central WR Tanner Dabbert was shutdown this game with just 3 receptions for 20 yards. WR Jalen Leifeste led the Central air raid but only gained 68 yards on 8 receptions. QB Malachi Brown, who usually achieves around 100 yards rushing per game, was stunted to just 19 yards on the ground.

If there was any negative component about Martin’s performance tonight, it was penalties. The Warriors racked up 10 penalties for 100 yards. Central was 1 for 15 yards on penalties.

The final score was 69-0 with Arlington Martin winning and headed to the next round in the playoffs.

Central’s loss ends the 2019 season for the San Angelo Central Bobcats. Arlington Martin will face Odessa Permian at Ratcliff Stadium in Odessa on Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. Odessa defeated El Paso Franklin this evening.