Bobcats Fall on the Wrong Side of Momentum Against Midland High

1st Quarter

The Bobcats won the toss and deferred to the 2nd half. Midland High received the first kickoff, and on a brilliant kick by the ‘Cats, Midland High began their first possession at their own 9-yard line. This wouldn’t stop the Bulldogs on offense as they would go on a march that covered 91 yards and took more than 9:30 off the 1st quarter clock. Central forced several 3rd downs on the possession, but Midland High was too good on the ground. The Bulldogs scored from three yards out on their opening possession to take the lead with 2:27 seconds left in the 1st quarter, 7-0.

The Bobcats received the kick and began their first drive at Central’s 28-yard line. The ‘Cats would only run two plays before the end of the 1st quarter.

2nd Quarter

The ‘Cats continued their first possession with two more big-time 3rd down conversions. Carmelo Amigleo caught a pass from English on 3rd and long to keep the chains moving. English then called his own number later on and carried the football inside Midland High’s 40-yard line. He connected on two more passes before Central found themselves faced with another 3rd and Goal. English whipped a pass out to Colton Hill, but he was interfered with. After the penalty, Squeak carried it in himself for the Bobcats' first score. Central answered with ten minutes left in the 2nd quarter, 7-7.

Both defenses stepped up on the next two drives. First, the Bobcats created the game's first takeaway on a hard tackle near the ‘Cats 40-yard line. After the offense came back out onto the field, Midland High’s defense stiffened and forced the ‘Cats backward. Central failed to capitalize off of the extra possession and punted the ball away.

Midland High thanked its defense with another long drive and a touchdown. The Bobcats slowed the Bulldogs down, but like other times this season, a 15-yard penalty at the worst possible time pushed Midland High inside the 15-yard line. Midland High’s Anthony Cole carried the rock in from nine yards out, and the Bulldogs retook the lead, 14-7.

Bobcats began their next drive at Central’s 25-yard line. English hooked up with Malik Kates on the first play with a 27-yard catch and run to Midland High’s 48-yard line. Tyree Brawlee followed that play up with a spectacular 1-handed catch downfield to the Bulldogs’ 20-yard line. Central drove the ball to the 13-yard line before a 3rd and short threatened to end the drive. English hit Amigleo on a laser of a pass for a 13-yard touchdown. The ‘Cats tied it up with 1:32 remaining in the second quarter.

Isaiah Allen made a huge stop in the backfield to force the Bulldogs to rethink going for another score. Midland High seemed satisfied to go to the locker room from there, and the Bobcats headed into the field house after an excellent first half, 14-14.

3rd Quarter

The Bobcats received the second-half kickoff and did absolutely nothing with it. After three plays that gained four five yards, the ‘Cats punted the ball away. Midland High rewarded its defense with another touchdown. The Bulldogs began the drive at Midland’s 45-yard line and went on a march. Midland High retook the lead with seven minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter, 21-14.

After an excellent kick return, the ‘Cats began on the Bulldogs half of the field. It did not take Central long to kick their offense back into gear. English involved his legs on the drive and made a highlight-reel-worthy 20+ yard run for another score. Midland returned the favor with a nice kick return of their own, so set the Bulldogs up to retake the lead again. Central’s defense showed some backbone on the drive and shut down Midland High just outside the 15-yard line. Midland High kicked a field goal and headed to the 4th quarter with a 24-21 lead.

4th Quarter

In the game of football, there are times when momentum is everything. There are times when it feels like everything falls into place for one team, any and everything goes wrong for the other. This effect snowballs, and the game can quickly get out of hand. That’s what happened in the 4th quarter at San Angelo Stadium on Thursday night.

Following Midland High’s field goal, the ‘Cats went on the move again and made it midfield from some tough yards from Tyree Brawlee. At midfield, Central took the first two plays to move the ball nine yards. Faced with a 3rd and 1-yard-to-go, the ‘Cats seemed like they were gaining a full of head of steam. Then, the entire contest turned on its head. There was an issue with the quarterback-running back exchange on 3rd and 1, and the ball ended up on the turf. Midland High took the ball and all the momentum from the Bobcats at that moment.

Following the turnover, Midland would score on a tired Bocbats’ defense that had been on the field too long on Thursday. The ‘Cats on offense failed to convert on 4th down when they received the ball back, and Midland High scored another touchdown. Down 38-21 with seven minutes left in the 4th quarter, a comeback was not impossible, just not feasible.

The most impressive thing about Central on Thursday was their fight. Despite the way the game turned in 4th quarter, those boys played hard till the bitter end. English connected with Malik Kates with about five minutes left in the 4th quarter. Kates broke a tackle, made one man miss, and then took off down the sideline for a 52-yard touchdown. 

Midland High would add one more touchdown on a 1-play drive on a broken play before the game ended. Central dropped its first district game in the Little Southwest Conference to Midland High 45-27.

After the game, the COVER1 Crew broke down the matchup in the studio and analyzed what exactly happened to a Bobcats’ team that played such a good half of football. Watch the COVER1 Post-Game Show below:

The Central Bobcats hit the road next Friday, October 13, for another district matchup against the Odessa High Bronchos. The game will be played at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.