Bobcats Fall to Abilene Cooper in Offensive Thriller

1st Quarter

Abilene Cooper received the opening kickoff, and the Bobcats’ defense came out onto the field and looked to stop the Cougars before they could build any momentum. Initially, that plan worked. The ‘Cats forced a 3rd and 17 before Cooper’s quarterback escaped the pocket to scramble for 20 yards. The ‘Cats then forced a 4th down attempt later in the drive. Abilene Cooper set an excellent block on the edge to spring the Cougars for a 21-yard touchdown. The Cougars struck first, 7-0.

Junior Quarterback Christian English led the Bobcats’ offense out onto the field and immediately went to work. Central’s two talented running backs, Jayvion Robinson and Tyree Brawlee went to work behind the ‘Cats big offensive line and ground their way down the field. English was accurate early, as he completed passes to Carmelo Amigleo and Alex Linsdey on the opening possession. Central ran into trouble near the Cooper’s 10-yard line. Faced with a 4th and 3 yards to go, Coach Crane rolled the dice, and the ‘Cats converted on an English keeper. Jayvion Robinson scored a few plays later to tie the game at 7-7.

Central’s defense stepped up on Cooper’s next possession. Central forced a 3rd and long situation which forced the Cougars to pass deep. Safety Mason Van Sickle stepped in front of a deep pass to pick the ball off for the ‘Cats. The offense thanked the defense with a quick touchdown drive that Robinson capped off with a tough, 4-yard touchdown run and his second of the night. The ‘Cats took the lead entering the 2nd quarter, 14-7.

2nd Quarter

Explosive plays continued to bite the ‘Cats in the first half. Cooper responded to Central’s touchdown with a 1-play 75-yard touchdown as soon as they began the drive. Central blocked the proceeding extra point to keep the lead. However, the Cougars still had no answer for the Bobcats on offense as English led another touchdown drive. Brawlee caught a well-designed screen pass in Cougar territory and walked into the end zone.

The offensive duel continued with an answering touchdown for Cooper. On the ensuing kickoff, the ‘Cats mishandled the ball when fielding the kick. An opportunistic Cougar jumped on the ball, and Abilene took advantage of Central’s first mistake in the contest. Cooper scored another touchdown to retake the lead.

The ‘Cats had just under two minutes to make something happen. English orchestrated a 7-play drive to set up a chip-shot field goal as time expired. Central had a chance at a touchdown but just missed English at the pylon on a trick play. Central headed to the locker room at the half, down 27-24.

3rd Quarter

The Bobcats received the 2nd half kickoff and immediately went back to work. After Amigleo converted a 3rd and 5 at to the ‘Cats 36-yard line, Colton Hill finally broke one off. English hit HIll over the middle at midfield, and then Hill outran everyone on Cooper’s defense for a 64-yard touchdown. It only took a minute and 25 seconds for the ‘Cats to retake the lead, 31-27.

The rest of the 3rd quarter devolved into a sprint for points as both teams traded touchdowns back and forth. Central would score off methodical 5-10 play drives to combat what the Cougars did on offense. However, the ‘Cats' defense could not figure out Abilene Cooper in the second half. On two straight possessions, the Bobcats gave up explosive plays that turned into 75 and 60+ yard touchdowns.

4th Quarter

The Cougars took a 9-point lead entering the 4th quarter. Central’s defense made one more stop to give the Bobcats an opportunity to come back, but the Bobcats' luck on 4th down finally ran out. On two straight possessions, the ‘Cats pushed the ball inside the Cougars’ territory only to turn the ball over on downs with throws over the middle. The Bobcats ultimately fell in the end 53-45.

Central’s Head Coach, Kevin Crane, gave his thoughts on the tough loss in an interview with Ryan Chadwick after the game. Check it out below:

The Bobcats hit the road next Friday, September 15, when they travel to face off with the Belton Tigers. Central defeated Belton last season 35-12 in San Angelo. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m