Flaco Guapo Media
Story/ photos with permission by Conexión San Ángelo
SAN ANGELO – If the San Angelo Central High Bobcats’ 3-6A home district opener vs Euless Trinity Trojans game had been regarded instead as a boxing match, with Friday’s 70-28 dominating Trojans’ stick and jab attack, the heavyweight battle royale would have been called on a TKO (technical knock-out) in the seventh round of a 12-round fight.
From the outset, 11th ranked Euless Trinity showed why they were highly ranked. The men of Troy offense ran through, around and in the air on the Bobcats as it imposed its’ will for a 42-point blowout victory. Case in point, Euless Trinity’s scoring came in pinball fantasy waves quickly, while Central’s offense had to work hard to get points. Central (4-2 on the season, 1-1 in district) didn’t help themselves any in their opening couple of series.
Whether it was the Bobcats nerves or being a young offense facing a veteran, bigger, stronger, faster team, Central dug themselves a hole offensively as ‘Cats, quarterback, Malachi Brown, threw an interception right off the bat on their first drive. Brown was picked off by defensive back, Shamar Morton, who returned it for an easy 25-yard touchdown return. The score, 7-0, came with 9:18 left in the first quarter.
Add a muffed punt on Central’s second possession that was converted eventually into a touchdown by Brandon Sione Theus who gashed the middle of the ‘Cats defense with an eight-yard run. PAT made it a quick 14-0 Trojans’ lead, still in the first quarter.
The “Sic ‘em Cats” defensive line and secondary had their own hands full with no answer for the Trojans own version of a “beast,” Theus (evidenced by his power inside and his speed on the outside). Theus either pounded the middle of the “Angry Orange” defense with punishing runs; or he would bounce it to the outside and blow past the defensive secondary as if they were standing still.
By the time the ‘Cats settled in on offense with Brown’s two-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Timme, to cut the lead, 21-7 (10:03 left in the second quarter) the floodgates of Trojan ball were unleased in a tsunami wave as Euless put up 28 more points to go in at halftime, 56-14.
Although the Cats came out in the second half and played team ball much better, it was too little too late. Central matched Trojans in points scored, 14, but the TKO blow came really just before the half. Euless Trinity’s Colby Parton, scored on a 28-yard touchdown pass thrown to him by quarterback, Laki Ellis. The score came with a second left on the clock; after the PAT, it was Trojans 56, ‘Cats 14.
The Bobcats are on the road for next Friday’s October 12 district 3-6A game against the Abilene High Eagles (5-1, 2-0). Kick-off from P.E. Shotwell Stadium is at 7:30 p.m.
