EL PASO, TX — For the first round of the 2022 UIL Texas High School Football 6A Div II Playoffs, the San Angelo Central Bobcats (5-5) made the long trip out to El Paso Friday night, Nov. 11, to take on the El Paso Eastwood Troopers (8-2) at Trooper Stadium at 7:30 p.m. CST. Both teams ran the spread offense and scored all night liberally. The ‘Cats hung around for much of the game, but the Troopers proved too much to handle in the end. Bobcats lost 61-49.
The game’s first points came after both teams failed to score on their first drive. Trooper RB Max Mancilla broke away from the ‘Cats’ defense for a 30-yard touchdown catch-and-run. The ‘Cats received the following kickoff, and Jacoby Yates showed his speed on the way to a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Yates tied the game, 7-7.
The Troopers proved challenging to stop as they scored on their next three drives. First, QB Evan Macias scored on a 13-yard touchdown run. Then, RB Jake Chenausky scored on a 7-yard touchdown catch. Finally, Mancilla snapped off a 36-yard touchdown run following a ‘Cats fumble. With 11:27 remaining in the 2nd quarter, the ‘Cats trailed 28-7.
The momentum completely shifted as the 2nd quarter wore on. The Bobcats figured out their issues and scored on two straight drives to get back into the game. First, QB Tyler Hill capped off a 75-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown run. Then, Hill launched a pass deep to WR Jacob English for 62 yards and another touchdown following a Troopers’ turnover. With 7:24 to go in the half, the Bobcats were positioned a touchdown away from the lead, 28-21.
Eastwood scored two more times before halftime. First, Mancilla scored his third touchdown on a 74-yard touchdown catch. Then, after the Bobcats’ defense forced a long drive out of the Troopers, Macias scored from 2-yards out.
The Bobcats scored once more before the half. Tyler Hill ripped off a 42-yard touchdown run at the tail end of the 2nd quarter. The ‘Cats had one final opportunity to score before halftime but ran out of time. So the ‘Cats headed to the locker room down 42-28.
The ‘Cats received the second-half kickoff and went to work. Tyree Brawley had several hard carries to move the Bobcats down the field. After nine plays and 74 yards, Brawley finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. Central pulled within seven points again, 42-35.
Eastwood’s offense carried their success from the first half into the 3rd quarter. They scored on two straight possessions, the second after forcing Central to punt. Chenausky broke several tackles on his way to a 40-yard touchdown. Next, Evan Macias scored another 2-yard touchdown run after the Troopers marched down the field on a 10-play 80-yard drive that took more than six minutes off the clock. With 9:58 remaining in the 4th quarter, the Troopers led 55-35. Jacoby Yates made another impact on the game when he blocked the extra point.
Although down by 20 points, the ‘Cats continued to persevere. Tyler Hill scored a 70-yard touchdown run on the first play of the ensuing possession. After stopping the Troopers on 4th down, Jacob English broke a tackle and sprinted 66-yards for another Bobcats’ touchdown. Hope remained with 7:02 remaining in the 4th quarter.
Ultimately, however, the Bobcats ran out of time. They played admirably till the very end. The Troopers added one more touchdown to their total, and the Bobcats' offense ran out of gas. The San Angelo Central Bobcats (5-6) 2022 campaign came to an end in El Paso, 61-49. El Paso Eastwood advances to Round 2 against Metroplex powerhouse Byron Nelson High School next week. The time and location are to be determined.
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