SAN ANGELO, TX — Fireworks on offense and tough sledding on defense led to a close game that ended in defeat as the Bobcats fell to their rivals, the Permian Panthers, 43-31.
The San Angelo Central Bobcats (5-3)(2-1) hosted the Odessa Permian Panthers (7-1)(2-1) in a game with significant district 2-6A implications tonight, Oct. 28, at San Angelo Stadium, at 7 p.m. Before tonight’s game began, there was a four-way tie for first place in the district with its top berth playoff: Central, Permian, Legacy and Frenship. After tonight’s loss, Central is out of the hunt for first place but will likely still earn a spot in the playoffs.
The Bobcats received the opening kickoff but started with their backs against the wall at their own 10-yard line. QB Tyler Hill quickly found Jacob English on the boundary for a nice gain. English broke a tackle and then sprinted up the field for 91 yards and a touchdown. The quick drive gave the Bobcats an early lead, 7-0.
Odessa Permian answered the score immediately with a score of their own. They returned the kickoff 80 yards to the Bobcats’ 10-yard line. Then three plays later, the Panthers forced their way into the end zone for a touchdown. The ‘Cats went three-and-out on their ensuing offensive possession and gave the ball right back to the Panthers. Another short drive led to an additional touchdown, and Odessa Permian took the lead midway through the 1st quarter, 14-7.
The ‘Cats started moving the ball again following the score. Aiden Barron carried the ball twice to move the ball to midfield, and Tyler Walker made a nice catch to push the ball into the Panthers’ territory. Unfortunately, Hill got hit in the backfield while he threw the ball. Permian intercepted the ball, and the ‘Cats turned the ball over at the Panthers’ 20-yard line.
Central’s defense finally came to play on the following possession. Three straight plays, the final play being a tackle for loss by Jacob Saldivar, forced Permian to punt for the first time. Jacoby Yates returned the ball 24 yards to Odessa Permian’s 48-yard line. Hill then hit Keevon Rice for a gain of 19-yards. The offense fizzled then, but Chase Miller hit a 35-yard field goal to narrow Permian’s advantage to 14-10.
Odessa Permian’s offensive consistency returned entering the 2nd quarter. The Panthers ran the ball to near perfection as they steadily pushed the football into the Bobcats’ territory. Permian QB Rodney Hall hit his WR for a massive gain on 3rd down to set the Panthers up with a 1st and goal. The ‘Cats forced 3rd and goal at the 1-yard line but the goal line stand failed to stop Permian from scoring. The Panthers increased their lead 21-10.
Central QB Tyler Hill showed spectacular speed following a fair catch on the kickoff by Jacoby Yates. Hill called his own number and found a seam right up the middle. He outran three different would-be tacklers on his way to a 75-yard touchdown run. Following the extra point, the ‘Cats remained behind 21-17.
Central’s defense continued to struggle, and Permian scored another touchdown. The Panthers drove 67 yards and took four and a half minutes off the clock before extending their lead. With 5:12 remaining in the 2nd quarter, the Bobcats trailed 28-17.
Now with the football at Central’s 33-yard line, Tyler Hill continued to find success on the ground. He carried the ball to the 45-yard line before hitting WR Tyler Walker in stride for five yards. Permian jumped offsides to give the Bobcats a first down on the next play. The penalty set up a 45-yard long ball to Tyler Walker for a touchdown. The Bobcats still trailed but kept pace with the Panthers 28-24 with 4:00 remaining in the 2nd quarter.
The ‘Cats’ defense came up with a huge stop with 1:40 to go until the half. Aided by two penalties against the Panthers, the ‘Cats knocked down the 3rd down pass by the Odessa Permian and forced a punt. With the ball at the 27-yard line, Hill hit Jayden Gipson for 23 yards to midfield. On the next play, Hill heaved up a perfect deep ball 45 yards down the field to Jacob English, who walked into the end zone. The touchdown gave the ‘Cats their second lead of the contest, and Central headed into the locker room up 31-28.
Odessa Permian received the 2nd half kickoff and set up shop at their own 30-yard line. The Panthers continued their first-half success on the ground and met little resistance during a 70-yard touchdown drive to kickoff the second half. The Panthers converted a 2-point conversion and led 36-31 with 6:08 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
The Bobcats needed to respond as they began their drive at Central’s 27-yard line. Hill kicked things off with a 9-yard run on 1st down. The Panthers followed that up with a tackle for a loss back to the 33-yard line. An incomplete pass on 3rd forced the Bobcats to punt.
Tyler Hill launched a 64-yard punt to pin the Panthers back at their 1-yard line. Despite this, the Panthers drove the ball successfully against the ‘Cats defense anyway. Taking the remainder of the 3rd quarter and into the 4th, the Panthers drove 99-yards for another score. With 9:31 remaining in the 4th quarter, the Bobcats fell behind by double digits, 43-31.
LIVE! COVER1 Postgame Show - Bobcats Lose to Permian
The ‘Cats continued to fight but ultimately failed to convert on 4th down at the Panthers’ 21-yard line. Odessa Permian attempted to run out the clock, but tempers flared on both sides, and the teams had to be separated. At one point, the benches on each side emptied and a brawl would have broken out but officials and coaches successfully quelled the commotion. The teams got back on the field with a few seconds on the clock and the Panthers ran it out. The Bobcats lost a close game at home 43-31.
The San Angelo Central Bobcats (5-4)(2-2) travel up to Lubbock next week, Nov. 4, to take on the Frenship Tigers (7-2)(3-1) at Peoples Bank Stadium at 7 p.m.
Tonight was little Bobcats night where middle school football players and junior high spirit orgs welcomed the Bobcats onto the field on October 28, 2022. The game was against the Permian Panthers.
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