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SAN ANGELO, TX – The San Angelo Central Bobcats kicked off their 2021 season with a glowing 2-0, hosting the 6A Austin Vandegrift Vipers, ranked 21st in the state, at San Angelo Stadium on September 10th at 7pm
One fearsome opponent on paper and sadly an even more fearsome opponent on the field turned out to be too much for the Bobcats tonight, as mental flaws in the special teams and the inability to keep the Vandegrift offensive off the field led to a one-sided 45: 13 defeat.
After postponement until the second half, the central defense began the night on the field. They showed some early promises and got back-to-back games for a loss. Soon, however, the Viper offensive thought it was too strong and sped through the air across the field. Vandegrift took the ball 75 yards in 2:30 for the result, 7-0.
The first offensive possession of the ‘Cats’ missed the fire last week, as several passes went wrong early on. After just one first down, the Bobcats attempted to knock the ball away, but improper handling of the snap gave the Vipers the ball on the central 3-yard line. With the ball so close, it only took Viper QB Brayden Buchanan three plays to find a wide open receiver in the end zone for another touchdown. The ‘Cats fell back more, 14-0.
QB1 Tyler Hill and the rest of the Bobcat Offensive eventually calmed down on their second drive of the night. Hill faced RB Samuel Navarette, WR Trevor Scott and WR Cayden Box on multiple passes and pushed the ball into Viper’s territory. A handsome 14 yard scamper from Hill got the Bobcats into the 10 yard line, but the ‘Cats couldn’t go any further. Faced with a 4th and a four at the 4-yard line, Central settled on a field goal and their first points, 14-3.
The Bobcat Defense continued to struggle with the ensuing Vandegrift holdings. First, a 70 yard kick return on special teams brought the Vipers to the Bobcat Redzone. A wide open receiver in the middle of the Bobcat zone pushed the ball into the 5-yard line. The ‘Cats eventually stiffened with their backs against the wall, not letting the Vipers into the end zone. An outstanding defensive play by CB Kayden Hameister forced a 4th down and a Vandegrift field goal. The Vipers extended their lead to 17: 3.
The ‘Cats offensive didn’t have the same success as its previous drive and poked another 3-and-out. With the ball at the Viper’s 38-yard line, the ‘Cats desperately needed a non-scoring stop. The defense delivered. CB Jacoby Yates almost got an interception, but managed a distraction in third place. The Bobcats eventually forced the Vipers to kick the ball away.
Central began their fourth possession at the ‘Cats 5-yard line in the middle of the second quarter. Some tough runs from Tyler Hill and some particularly punishing carries from Navarette pushed the Bobcats out of the shadows of their own end zone. Although the ‘Cats made several first downs, the drive eventually stopped in midfield and the Bobcats switched fields with a punt.
After the punt, the Bobcats defensive front continued their strong performance in the running game. However, the secondary level continued to struggle. Several missed tackles in the open field and completely left receivers led to another quick trip into the end zone of Vandegrift. The Vipers extended their lead to 24: 3 at the end of the first half.
After the second half kicked off, the ‘Cats returned to the field at the 25-yard line with a sense of urgency. The offense overall looked much more efficient than in the first half and drove the ball 60 meters across the field in just over five minutes. However, this trip did not bring any points. A failed 4th down throw by Hill flipped the ball on downs at the Viper 15-yard line.
After that, the ‘Cats Defense did its job. A quick three-and-off gave the attacker possession at the central 40-yard line. In the first game of the following drive, RB Samuel Navarrette finally broke out of the backcourt with an explosive 47-yard run to the Vandegrift 13-yard line. A nice catch from Jadyn Gipson brought the ball to the 2-yard line, and two plays later Navarrette crowned the impressive drive with a 1-yard touchdown. The Bobcats claw a little closer, 24-10.
When the momentum of the game finally seemed to be taking the Bobcats path, the Vipers closed it off with successive touchdown drives that put the game out of the reach of the ‘Cats’. A 63-yard touchdown run by the Vipers followed by a three-and-out from the Bobcats made the game 31-10. A deep ball and another open Viper receiver extended Vandegrift’s lead, 38-10. Eventually, an interception of a tip drill by the Viper Defense on a pass from Tyler Hill led to another 50-yard touchdown pass three turns later. By the start of the 4th quarter, the Bobcats let the game get out of hand, 45-10.
The ‘Cats, however, showed fighting to the end. Given an insurmountable lead, the offense still proved that they could move the ball. Samuel Navarrette in particular showed his courage. The Bobcats moved the bruised ball four or five yards at a time, marching steadily across the field. Jacob English grabbed a dart from Tyler Hill to put the ‘Cats in a goal-to-go situation at the 10-yard line. The Bobcats’ goal line battle ended when the Bobcats were satisfied with a field goal four minutes to go in the fourth quarter, 45-13.
As the remaining time in the game dwindled, Austin Vandegrifts and Centralals Backups came in to pass the clock. The talent gap was evident tonight and the ‘Cats lost decisively to a better team, 45-13.
San Angelo Central will face another tough opponent next week, Friday, September 10, when they travel to Canyon to take on the Amarillo Tascosa Rebels at West Texas A & M’s Buffalo Stadium.
We will publish an analysis of Friday’s loss on Saturday evening. You can view the halftime and injury analysis here.
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