Mistakes Cost Bobcats in Homecoming Game Against Abilene Cooper

SAN ANGELO, TX — It was a tale of two halves when San Angelo Central took on Abilene Cooper for the Bobcats' homecoming game Friday as Cooper escaped with a 28-21 win.

The first half had drives that resulted in touchdowns, big plays and minimal mistakes. With around five minutes remaining until the half, the game was halted due to a lightning delay, but things quickly were restarted.

Before the delay, the game was tied 14-14. After it resumed, Central running back Zey Johnson bashed his way in for a 1-yard touchdown to give the Bobcats the lead going into halftime, 21-14.

After the half, things started going downhill. Be it mental mistakes, turnovers or unsportsmanlike behavior, things really stalled out for both the Bobcats and Cougars. With the Bobcats driving, Cooper gifted them 15 yards on an unsportsmanlike penalty, but Central would regift 15 yards right back on a personal foul in the en zone.

“Too many mistakes to overcome and to win,” said head coach Mark Smith. “I thought the guys played hard again, and we have to find a way to execute a little bit better in critical situations. Take advantage of opportunities that we’re given and not shoot ourselves in the foot. That showed up too many times tonight. When that happens, you don’t win.”

At one point, the Bobcats were given really good field position that put them on the 34-yard line, and they missed a field goal to come away with no points. Then, with about three minutes left in the game, which was tied 21-21 at the time, Central quarterback Micah Smith threw an interception trying to fit the ball into a tight window. The resulting Cougar drive ended with a Jamarion Dunson touchdown to give Cooper the lead, 28-21.

Despite the misfortune that both teams faced, it was only a one-score game going into the final two minutes. Then, Darius Huitt returned a kickoff to the 26-yard line, igniting the home stands. The Bobcats ate into the clock, but on fourth down, Smith overthrew an open Gavin Johnson in the end zone, giving the Cougars a possession to kneel out the game.

The game started with a Gavin Johnson touchdown from 9 yards out, and the Cougars’ Mason Cole found Markquel Sims on a 24-yard catch for a touchdown shortly after. Then, with 5:38 left in the first quarter, Zey Johnson broke off a 45-yard scoring run to give the Bobcats a 14-7 lead. 

After the Bobcat defense stopped Cooper, Micah Smith found Jesse Smith with under a minute to go in the first quarter, but Jesse Smith fumbled the ball, and the Cougars took possession.

Well into the second quarter, Cole found Zaylon Johnson for a 26-yard touchdown to tie the game just before lightning struck close by, forcing the stadium to clear out until it was deemed safe to return.

In the second half, Cooper’s Jamarion Dunson scored two touchdowns, one in each quarter, to give the edge to Cooper, 28-21.

While all the off-the-field homecoming activities were exciting, it was also important to remember that Friday was the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attack where nearly 3,000 people were killed. The Central Bobcats had a large American flag that took up nearly a quarter of the field, and every branch of the military was present.

Central (1-2) will play El Paso Montwood in Andrews at 6 p.m. next Friday, while Cooper (1-2) will get a home game against Odessa High.