Bobcats Trail Midland Legacy at the Half

1st Quarter

Midland Legacy received the opening kickoff and began their first drive at the 35-yard line. The Rebels wasted no time in kickstarting their offense on the ground. Several carries moved the ball across the 50-yard line into Bobcats territory. Central’s defense managed to force a 3rd down attempt at the ‘Cats 35-yard line, but the Rebels proved tough to stop. Legacy scored a few plays later to take an 8-0 lead. 

On offense, the ‘Cats struggled on their first two possessions. Two 3-and-outs led to another Legacy touchdown. Central trailed 15-0 midway through the 1st quarter. Central’s defense finally stepped up after the second Bobcats’ punt. Kasen Rodgers stepped in front of a Rebel receiver to give the Bobcats life for the first time in the game. He returned the interception to the Legacy 15-yard line. Three plays later, Squeak English found Casner Sterling in the end zone for a touchdown.

Midland Legacy scored again on a deep ball on the ensuing possession. Before the deep pass, Central forced a quick throw that looked backward to everyone in the stadium, including the entire home crowd. Central picked up the loose football and looked to return it for a touchdown, but miraculously, it was ruled an incomplete pass. Legacy hit the deep pass a few plays later to claim a 21-6 lead at the end of the 1st quarter.

2nd Quarter

Disaster struck for the Bobcats in the opening minutes of the 2nd quarter. The ‘Cats lined up to punt on a 4th down, but the snap went way over the punter’s head. The botched special teams play set up the Rebels inside the ‘Cats 10-yard line, and Legacy scored soon after.

Squeaky English put the team on his back on the next offensive possession. A 48-yard run set up the ‘Cats just outside of the goal line. An intentional grounding pushed Central out of touchdown range, but Central fought back with a made field goal. Central trailed 28-9 midway through the 2nd quarter.

After Legacy added another touchdown, the ‘Cats had to answer or faced getting blown out in the first half. English and company had their most productive drive of the contest. He hit Judson Bright, Jimmy Edwards, and Gavin Johnson on the way to another score. At the 10-yard line, Elijah Allen carried the ball on two straight plays and finally scored from four yards out. Central pulled closer but still trailed big at the half, 35-16.