Austin Vandegrift Humbles the San Angelo Central Bobcats

SAN ANGELO, TX — Off to a red hot 2-0 start to their 2021 campaign, the San Angelo Central Bobcats hosted the 6A Austin Vandegrift Vipers, ranked 21 in the state, at San Angelo Stadium on Sept. 10, at 7 p.m.

A formidable opponent on paper and unfortunately an even more formidable opponent on the field proved too much for the Bobcats tonight as mental mistakes in the special teams and an inability to keep the Vandegrift offense off the field led to a lopsided 45-13 defeat.

After deferring until the second half, the Central defense started the night on the field. They showed some early promise, getting back-to-back plays for a loss. Soon, however, the Viper offense deemed too potent, and raced down the field through the air. Vandegrift took the ball 75 yards in 2:30 for the score, 7-0.

The ‘Cats’ first offensive possession lacked the fire of last week as they had several passes go awry early. After only one first down, the Bobcats tried to punt the ball away, but the mishandling of the snap gave the Vipers the ball on the Central 3-yard line. With the ball so close, it took only three plays for Viper QB Brayden Buchanan to find a wide open receiver in the endzone for another touchdown. The ‘Cats fell behind more, 14-0.

QB1 Tyler Hill and the rest of the Bobcat offense finally settled down on their second drive of the night. Hill connected on several passes to RB Samuel Navarette, WR Trevor Scott, and WR Cayden Box and pushed the ball into Viper territory. A nice 14-yard scamper by Hill took the Bobcats inside the 10-yard line, but the ‘Cats could go no further. Faced with a 4th and four at the 4-yard line, Central settled for a field goal and their first points, 14-3.

The Bobcat defense continued to struggle on the following Vandegrift possession. First, on special teams, a 70-yard kick return set the Vipers up inside the Bobcat redzone. A wide open receiver in the middle of the Bobcat zone pushed the ball inside the 5-yard line. The ‘Cats finally stiffened with their backs against the wall and did not let the Vipers into the endzone. An outstanding defensive play by CB Kayden Hameister forced a 4th down and a Vandegrift field goal. The Vipers extended their lead 17-3.

The ‘Cats offense did not manage the same success as their previous drive and punted after another 3-and-out. With the ball at the Viper 38 yard line, the ‘Cats desperately needed a stop that did not end with points. The defense delivered. CB Jacoby Yates almost had an interception but managed a deflection on 3rd down. The Bobcats finally forced the Vipers to punt the ball away.

Midway through the 2nd quarter, Central’s 4th possession began at the ‘Cats 5-yard line. Some tough running by Tyler Hill and several particularly punishing carries by Navarette pushed the Bobcats out of the shadow of their own endzone. Although the ‘Cats did manage several first downs, ultimately, the drive stalled near midfield, and the Bobcats switched the field with a punt.

Following the punt, the defensive front of the Bobcats continued their strong showing in the running game. The secondary, however, continued to struggle. Several missed tackles in the open field and receivers left utterly alone led to another quick trip to the endzone by Vandegrift. The Vipers extended their lead again as the 1st half came to a close, 24-3.

After receiving the second half kickoff, the ‘Cats came back out onto the field with a sense of urgency at the 25-yard line. The offense as whole looked much more efficient than during the first half, and drove the ball 60 yards down the field in just over five minutes. However, this drive did not result in points. A failed 4th down throw by Hill turned the ball over on downs at the Viper 15-yard line.

The ‘Cats defense did their job after that. A quick three-and-out gave the offense possession of the football at the Central 40 yard line. On the first play of the ensuing drive, RB Samuel Navarrette finally burst out of the back field with an explosive 47-yard run to the Vandegrift 13 yard line. A nice catch by Jadyn Gipson took the ball to the 2 yard line, and two plays later, Navarrette capped off the impressive drive with a 1-yard touchdown. The Bobcats clawed their way a little bit closer, 24-10.

When the momentum of the game finally seemed to be going the Bobcats way, the Vipers shut that down with back to back to back touchdown drives that put the game out of reach of the ‘Cats. A 63-yard touchdown run by the Vipers, followed by a three-and-out by the Bobcats made the game 31-10. A deep ball and another open Viper receiver extended Vandegrift’s lead, 38-10. Finally, a tip drill interception by the Viper defense on a pass from Tyler Hill led to another 50+ yard touchdown pass three plays later. At the start of the 4th quarter, the Bobcats let the game get out of hand, 45-10.

However, the ‘Cats showed fight until the very end. Faced with an insurmountable lead, the offense still proved that they could move the ball. Samuel Navarrette in particular showed his grit. Moving the ball with bruising carries, four or five yards at a time, the Bobcats steadily marched down the field. Jacob English snagged a dart from Tyler Hill to put the ‘Cats in a goal to go situation at the 10-yard line. The Bobcats goal line struggle ended when the Bobcats were forced to settle for a field goal with four minutes to go in the 4th quarter, 45-13.

As time remaining in the game dwindled away, Austin Vandegrift’s and Central’s backups came into the game to run out the clock. The difference in talent showed tonight and the ‘Cats lost decicively to a better team, 45-13.

San Angelo Central faces another tough opponent next week, Friday Sept. 10, when they travel up to Canyon to take on the Amarillo Tascosa Rebels at West Texas A&M’s Buffalo Stadium.

We will publish analysis of Friday’s loss Saturday evening. You can watch halftime and post-game analysis here.