Johnson Sets Central Rushing Record in Loss to Permian

ODESSA, TX — The Central Bobcats traveled to Odessa on Friday to face the undefeated Permian Panthers and round out the regular season. The Panthers proved why they were 9-0 headed into this matchup as Permian beat the Bobcats, 31-8.

"Congratulations to Permian; that's a really good football team," Bobcats' head coach Mark Smith said after the game. "Our guys fought. I was so proud to see the fight all the way to the end. It made me proud as a coach that those guys are battling and going all the way through. Now, our mindset turns to the playoffs. We earned the right to get in there, and we have a new season that begins right now."

However, the final score is only one headline of the evening. The second was the record-setting performance from running back Zey Johnson. Coming into the game just 68 yards short of Central's single-season rushing record, the young man surpassed it on Friday night. He broke off a long run near the end of the first half that gave him enough yards to do it.

The 5-foot-11, 220-pound junior broke Daven Manning’s record of 1,701 yards set in 2016 and still has the playoffs to add to his stat total for the year.

"It is an amazing accomplishment," Smith said of his running back. "In 108 years of football in San Angelo, for him to be the single-season rushing record holder; a lot of backs have carried the ball many years for San Angelo, and for him to do that tonight, what a great game by him. He's been a great player for us all season. We will need him big again next week, but what a great accomplishment."

When asked, Johnson seemed even more appreciative of his offensive line than the accomplishment for himself.

"I am beyond blessed, but I'm thankful for my o-line," Johnson said after the game. "I can't do anything without them. Huge shoutout to them. Without them, none of this would have been possible."

That strength of character is why Johnson continues to be one of the favorites on the team and off the field.

"Me and him go at each other every Tuesday," teammate and defensive tackle Riley Oines said of Johnson. "Good-on-good. It's just me and him, immovable object versus unstoppable force meet each other and it's always good. He's a hard worker, and he just wants it bad, you know. We are hungry, and this season is not over yet."

On the field, Central's defense showed up on Permian's first drive, shutting the Panthers down outside the red zone. The Bobcats then blocked the subsequent field goal attempt to keep the score at 0-0 early in the 1st quarter.

The Panthers returned the favor on the Bobcats' first drive. After driving to midfield, Central made its first mistake in the form of an interception. Permian's Malachi Mendoza took the pick to the house and lifted Permian over the Bobcats 7-0 midway through the opening period.

A fumble near midfield later in the 2nd quarter would set up another Panther touchdown. Permian's Josh Curry broke to the outside to score a 13-yard touchdown after the Bobcats' fumble.

Odessa Permian would add a final field goal before the half. After Central pinned the Panthers on their own 1-yard line, Permian made several plays in a row to get into field goal range.

The successful kick left the score 17-0 at the half.

The Bobcats came out in the second half and arguably played better than they did in the first. Central allowed 14 points in the final two quarters to a team that ran roughshod over the other teams in District 2-6A this season.

Central finally made it on the board midway through the 4th quarter. Set up by a long run by Johnson, Micah Smith found Gavin Johnson in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. A successful 2-point conversion from Jesse Smith cut into the deficit, but it was just not the Bobcats' night.

With the loss, Central finishes the regular season with a 5-5 overall record. However, as coach Smith stated, Central's season is not done. The Bobcats claimed the No. 2 seed in the 6A-Div II playoffs and will travel to El Paso next week to face Eastwood High.

The game will be played at Eastwood's stadium with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. MST (7:30 CST) on Friday, Nov. 13.