All season long, many people in Texas high school football circles pegged San Angelo Central not only as the best team in West Texas, but also a contender for the state championship. How did the Bobcats respond to the hype? The Bobcats came back with a District 2-6A title, a 10-0 record, and their first undefeated regular season since 1943. Not bad at all.
Now, the real challenge comes in the postseason. Can the Bobcats break through the glass ceiling that the Metroplex teams have had in recent years over in Region 1 and can they springboard that into the first state title for a West Texas team in the biggest classification since Abilene in 2009? Let’s take a look at their potential path in the playoffs.
First off, the Bobcats were seeded in Division 1 in the 6A bracket. As a result, they avoid playing DeSoto, Southlake Carroll, Cedar Hill. That certainly helps them. What also helps them is the fact they have a very balanced offense to lean on under the helm of Cal Vincent. The senior dual-threat can beat with you his legs and his arm and will have his moment in the big stage.
On defense, the Bobcats present a lot of different challenges, particularly linebacker Gehrig Scott. He’s the leading tackler for a Bobcats defense that will challenge you physically on the inside and on the outside with speed. “Defense Wins Championships” may be cliché but it could be the determining factor in how far the Bobcats go in the playoffs.
Here is the challenge: Many have predicted Region 1 in Division 1 to be more-wide open, but if the Bobcats want to make it past the regional semifinals, they’ll have to go through the powerhouse known as the Allen Eagles. That would be a must-see showdown.
First things first, the Bobcats will host a bi-district game on Friday night when the Franklin Cougars travel from El Paso to San Angelo Stadium. The Bobcats look to have the talent to make a run, and we’ll all find out starting this weekend if they can do just that.
