SAN ANGELO, TX — Riding a two-game losing streak entering the playoffs, the San Angelo Central Bobcats took an eight hour road trip in a bus out to El Paso to take on the El Paso Eastlake Falcons. Following a fireworks filled performance from both teams and a combined 89 points inside an empty stadium due to the pandemic, the Bobcats take home the Bi-District title, 54-35.
After winning the toss and deferring until the second half, the ‘Cats started on defense Friday night. Eastlake took no time at all to get their high octane offense in gear. Taking less than 1:30 off of the clock, the Falcons moved the ball through the air and on the ground 48 yards down the field. Running back Elijah Uribe snapped off a 15-yard scamper into the end zone to put the Falcons up 7-0.
Beginning their first possession at the Central 30-yard line, QB Malachi Brown and the rest of the Bobcats’ offense showed that they too could play ball. Taking a more systematic approach than the Falcons did on their scoring drive, the Bobcats ground out a multiple first down possession that took a large chunk of time off the clock. Runs by Jalen Leifeste, Samuel Navarette, and Malachi Brown set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Navarette. The Bobcats strike back to tie the game at 7-7.
Beginning their next drive at the Eastlake 24-yard line, the Falcons again moved the ball with ease. The Bobcats seemed as if they were still not over the long bus ride. Driving the ball 86 yards down the field, Elijah Uribe scored from 44-yards out to give the Falcons back the lead, 14-7.
Looking to answer, the Bobcats’ offense came back onto the field to begin their drive at their own 35-yard line. Brown and the rest of the offense moved the ball methodically and efficiently. Posting gains of five to eight yards on most plays, the ‘Cats crossed midfield and into Eastlake territory. With the football at the Falcon 25-yard line, Leifeste took a handoff from Brown and sprinted 25-yards to the house and the Bobcats tied the game at 14-14.
A solid kick and excellent coverage by the ‘Cats pinned the Falcons deep inside their own territory at the 10-yard line. Safety Ty Casey made a great read off of a poor throw that gave the Bobcats their first takeaway of the evening. Casey intercepted a pass from the Eastlake quarterback and gave the ball back to his offense at the Falcon 23-yard line. The offense then turned around and scored almost immediately. Weston Hill snagged a dart from Brown and ran into the endzone for a 25-yard touchdown catch. The Bobcats claim their first lead of the night and lead of the night, 21-14.
Hoping for more of what they accomplished on the previous defensive possession, the ‘Cats defense retook the field. The penalty bug bit the defense multiple times during this drive, aiding the offense on their march downfield. The ‘Cats forced the Falcons into numerous 3rd down situations on the drive, but off-sides and a pass interference penalties put Eastlake back in scoring position. A 20-yard touchdown pass evened the score, 21-21.
Beginning their next drive at the San Angelo Central 39-yard line, the offense did not replicate their previous success. Two incompletions and a near turnover on a quarterback sack forced the Bobcats to punt for the first time. Following the punt, the Bobcat defense locked down and stood firm. Another pass interference call on the Bobcats provided the Falcons good field position near midfield. The ‘Cats did not let the frustration of the penalty keep them down, however, as Casey got his second interception in the contest.
Taking over in Eastlake territory, Brown and the rest of the offense took immediate advantage of the takeaway. Fueled by an explosive catch and run by Leifeste, Brown hooked up with Hill for another touchdown pass. Between these two teams, the back and forth continued to escalate as the Bobcats retook the lead, 28-21.
Offensive penalties finally caught up with the Falcons and helped the ‘Cats defense force their first punt of the night. Although the Falcon offense continued to have success throwing the ball downfield, a false start and a chop block allowed the Bobcats’ secondary to shut down the passing game successfully. A short punt gave the Bobcats back at the Eastlake 40-yard line.
Two short runs and an incompletion put the Bobcats in a precarious situation with time winding down in the first half. Head Coach Brent Davis decided to roll the dice on 4th and five, and the gamble paid off. Malachi Brown ran the ball straight up the gut for 10 yards on a quarterback keeper. Another nice catch and run by Leifeste set the Bobcats up inside the red zone. Navarette punched his second touchdown of the night into the end zone from one yard out, and the ‘Cats extended their lead to 35-21.
The Bobcats’ defense stepped up in a big way on the ensuing drive. With less than two minutes left in the first half, the defensive front of the ‘Cats shut down Eastlake on three straight plays. Following the punt, the Bobcats headed to the locker room at the half up by two scores at the half.
Kicking off the second half on offense at the Central 35-yard line, the Bobcats needed to score to put continued pressure on the Eastlake offense. After a first down on the ground, a WR screen to Tyler Hill took the ball 30-yards down the field to the Eastlake 18-yard line. Another catch by Leifeste drove the ball inside the Falcon 10-yard line. Brown capped off the drive himself on an 8-yard quarterback keeper for another touchdown. San Angelo Central extended their lead again, 42-21.
On the following Eastlake possession, the Falcons’ offense pushed the Bobcats back to the Central 12-yard line. Now playing with a sense of urgency, the ‘Cats defensive line smothered the quarterback for two sacks in a row to put Eastlake into 3rd and forever. Another two quarterback pressures and a failed 4th down conversion gave the Bobcats’ offense the football at the Central 30-yard line.
The ‘Cats pressed their will onto the Eastlake defense during their next possession. Keeping the ball on the ground for the majority of the plays, Central started bleeding the clock. Long runs from Isiah Dale and Malachi Brown pushed the ball into Eastlake territory and down to the Falcon 30-yard line. Catches by Tyler Hill and Isiah Dale set up a 10-yard rushing touchdown by Malachi Brown. Bobcats started to pull away, now up 49-21.
The ‘Cats defense continued to dominate in this second half. Following a personal foul called on the kickoff, the Falcons began their drive at their own 7-yard line. A drop by a Falcons’ receiver later, Monte’Vious Dobbins sacked the Eastlake quarterback in the end zone for a safety. A rare defensive score increased the Bobcats’ lead to 51-21.
After a failed 4th down conversion, the Falcons got the ball back and found success through some trickery. Some hard running from Uribe set up the classic “Hook and Ladder” play where the quarterback throws a pass to a receiver, who then pitches the ball to a running back behind him as he is getting tackled. The play worked to perfection here, and Uribe took the ball the 30-yards to the house. The Falcons were down, but not out, 51-28.
An onside kicked by the Falcons followed. The kickoff was recovered by the Falcons putting the El Paso team into a position to make a comeback. Taking only two plays and 31 yards, the Falcons scored again. A long run by Uribe and a deep pass to an Eastlake receiver put the Falcons in striking distance. Although the gap still loomed, Eastlake pulled closer, 51-35.
Because the Bobcats gave up two touchdowns in a little over a minute, the offense desperately needed an answer. Keeping the ball on the ground, Brown, Leifeste, and Navarrette continued to grind into the Falcon defense, slowly pushing the ball towards the goal line. Faced with a 3rd and long at the Eastlake 38-yard line, Weston Hill made a drive-saving catch at the 23. The Bobcats continued to bleed the clock for all it was worth, and a 25-yard field goal to put them up on a 14-play drive by 54-35.
The Eastlake offense became desperate as time continued to drain away and threw up a prayer on a 4th and long. Another failed 4th down attempt and reliable coverage by the Bobcats’ secondary gave the ‘Cats back the ball. The Bobcats took over and ran the remainder of the time off the clock. A genuine scare by Eastlake ultimately amounted to little as the Bobcats secured the Bi-district title by a score of 54-35.
Analysis
In a game where both offenses are firing on all cylinders, it is the team’s defense that makes the most plays in key situations to break the opposing offense’s momentum to ultimately win the game. That is precisely what the Bobcats’ defense did tonight. Yes, they allowed to many yards and points. What they also did, however, was force multiple takeaways and stopped the Falcons on more than one 4th down attempt. The ‘Cats need to bottle up the big plays they allowed tonight, but other than that, they put their offense in a position to win the ball game.
Offensively, the Bobcats could do no wrong. Not only did the ‘Cats put up 52 points after an eight-hour road trip, but they also did what they failed to do in the two previous weeks. Against both Midland Lee and Odessa Permian, the Bobcats had three or more turnovers. The ‘Cats had zero tonight. By finishing drives all game and not turning the ball over, they were able to sustain drives. The longer the drives lasted, the longer their defense got to rest on the sideline. The defense did not tire as they did in the previous weeks. The defense continued to be a force throughout the game because the offense controlled the time of possession.
Next, in the second round, the San Angelo Central Bobcats take on the V.R. Eaton Eagles in Abilene at Anthony Field at Abilene Christian University. The date and time are still to be determined.
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