Odessa’s Defense Succumbs to San Angelo’s Sustained Offensive Attack

SAN ANGELO, TX — Following a narrow victory over the Midland High Bulldogs last week, the San Angelo Central Bobcats (4-2)(1-0) looked to build off of that momentum tonight, Oct. 14, as they hosted the Odessa High Bronchos (3-3)(0-1) at San Angelo Stadium at 7 p.m. Both offenses tore each other’s defenses apart for much of the contest, but the Bobcats’ ability to sustain long drives wore down the Odessa defense and the ‘Cats pulled away in the second half. This game Central put up 300 yards on the ground and won their second district game 57-34.

The Bobcats received the kick and returned the ball to Cental’s 32-yard line. The ‘Cats leaned on the run early, and RB Aiden Barron hammered away at the Bronchos’ defense on six different carries that steadily moved the ball down the field. Tyler Hill added 19 yards on the ground, and the Bobcats found themselves with an early lead after Hill carried the ball 4-yards into the end zone. With 8:21 remaining in the 1st quarter, the Bobcats led 7-0.

Central’s defense came out wanting to match the same energy and forced a punt after allowing only a single first down. Darius Floyd had his hand in a sack on third down to force Odessa High to punt the ball. Odessa High downed the ball at Central’s 2-yard line, and the offense came back onto the field. Hill broke off a 37-yard run to get the ‘Cats out of trouble near their goal line, but the offense stalled. A failed 4th down attempt turned the ball back over to the Bronchos’ offense at Odessa High’s 43-yard line.

QB Jaylien Jones's deep pass to WR Ivan Carreon kickstarted the Bronchos’ offense on their ensuing possession. A short run set up second down and 5-yards to go at the 48-yard line. Carreon beat the defense on second down and caught a 48-yard pass in stride to score Odessa High’s first touchdown. However, Odessa High missed the extra point, and the Bobcats clung to a one-point lead, 7-6.

The Bobcats responded immediately with a two-play drive of their own. Central began the drive at their own 44-yard line. An 8-yard run by Hill on first down set up a deep pass to Jacob English for 36 yards and another touchdown. The ‘Cats took less than a minute off the clock and led 14-6.

Odessa High took advantage of a Bobcats slipping to the turf, and Jones found Carreon deep again for another touchdown. The three-play drive only took 57 seconds off the clock, and the Bronchos pulled within one point, 14-13.

With the ball at the 25-yard line following a touchback, the ‘Cats kept up the intensity on offense. Hill found WR Keevon Rice on two occasions to move the ball into the Bronchos’ territory. Jayveon Robinson then broke free from two different defenders on his way to a 26-yard gain at Odessa High’s 13-yard line. Keevon Rice finished the drive when he came open on a wheel route, and Hill hit him in stride for the touchdown. The ‘Cats continued to churn out points, 21-13.

With the game midway through the second quarter, Odessa High gave back what the Bobcats dished out. Jones continued to hit open receivers down the field and even picked up several first downs with his legs. Another Bronchos’ touchdown kept the score close, 21-20. WR Cedric Fuentes set the Bobcats up with excellent position at midfield. Hill continued churning yards on the ground and pushed the ball to Odessa High’s 37-yard line. RB Tyree Brawley burst through the line, broke a tackle, and then sprinted 37 yards to the house. The Bobcats' ground game steadily pulled ahead, 28-20.

The ‘Cats’ defense finally slowed down the Bronchos’ high-octane offense with 6:22 to go until halftime. The Bronchos made it to midfield, but a timely sack on third down forced a punt. The Bobcats took over at the 20-yard line. The ‘Cats then went on an 8-play 80-yard drive to end the half. A healthy mix between Barron and Hill on the ground pushed the ball into Bronchos’ territory. Hill then found Rice and Gallegos on two short passes to push the ball inside the 20-yard line. A penalty on Odessa High moved the ball to the 5-yard line, and Hill found Rice over the middle for his second receiving touchdown. Hill converted a 2-point conversion, and the Bobcats headed to the locker room up 36-20.

Odessa High received the 2nd half kickoff and began their drive at the 25-yard line. Jones continued to find success through the air, and the Bronchos quickly moved down the field with ease. Inside the ‘Cats’ 20-yard line, the Bronchos ran the ball up the middle for what looked to be a touchdown. However, the Bobcats’ defenders swarmed the ball carrier and stripped the ball out into the end zone. The ‘Cats quickly dove on the loose ball, and the Bronchos turned it over.

Unsportsmanlike conduct on the fumble gave the ‘Cats the ball at Central’s 35-yard line. RB Jayveon Robinson carried the ball for a first down before Hill found WR Tyler Walker 13 yards into Odessa High’s territory at the 39-yard line. Hill then found WR Jayden Gipson falling out of bounds for 15 yards and an additional 21 yards the next play for a touchdown. The ‘Cats took advantage of their takeaway and led 43-20 with 7:13 remaining in the 3rd quarter.

Despite trailing 23 points, the Bronchos never gave up. They ran their offense to great effect, and the ‘Cats had trouble stopping them. Odessa High went on a 10-plus play drive that took more than 4:30 off the clock. Finally, the Bronchos got into the end zone on a 1-yard run and narrowed the advantage to 43-27.

The ‘Cats committed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that destroyed their ensuing possession. Tyler Hill had just run the ball for a short gain when tempers flared on both sides. After some pushing and shoving, the ‘Cats got hit with the penalty and backed up 15 yards to face a 3rd and 22 yards to go. For the first time all evening, the ‘Cats punted the ball away.

Central’s defense stepped up to the plate following the punt. After allowing a single first down, they locked down, refused to bend, and forced a 4th down at midfield. Odessa High had no choice but to go for it at this point in the game. Jones attempted a pass to the outside, but it fell incomplete. The Bobcats took over at the 49-yard line.

The flags continued to fly on the next Bobcats’ offensive possession. First, a called chop block negated a 49-yard bomb to Jacob English. Then, the Bobcats overcame the 15-yard penalty that pushed them back to their 36-yard line. Faced with a 3rd and long, Hill chucked the ball deep to English, who broke open on the back side of the defense. The ball floated on Hill somewhat, and the defense caught up to English. They took his legs out before the ball landed, and the referees called pass interference on the Bronchos. Jayveon Robinson broke away from the defense again one play later. He broke a tackle while running through the line and then sprinted 21 yards to the house. The Bobcats increased their lead to 50-27.

Odessa High managed to score quickly and refused to go away, but Hill scored another rushing touchdown on the proceeding possession with 7:25 remaining in the 4th quarter. Up 57-34 with less than six minutes to go in the 4th quarter, Ben Imler took over for Tyler Hill at quarterback, and the Bobcats ran out the clock. The ‘Cats won handily, 57-34.

The San Angelo Central Bobcats (5-2)(2-0) travel back to Midland next week, Oct. 21, to take on the Midland Legacy Rebels (3-4)(1-1) at Astound Broadband Stadium at 7 p.m.