Our Game of the Week this week is yet another clash that might decide a district title: Midland High vs. San Angelo Central.
San Angelo Central is a known commodity, they’ve been good for quite some time now. In 2015, they had a mere two losses: one to Abilene (who they got revenge on in 2016), and to Denton Guyer in the playoffs. They never lost by more than 8 points.
This year, the Bobcats are back, reloaded and ready to take that third-round playoff push of 2015 even deeper this year. They’ve been atomizing opposing defenses, scoring over 60 points three times, including a massive 72 points they plopped on Byron Nelson in Week Two. Their defense hasn’t been dominating every single game, but it has proved that it can rise to the occasion when needed, such as last week when a tough Permian defense partially stymied the Bobcat offense.
Midland is in the middle of one of the biggest turnarounds in the state. In 2015 they went 4-7, and in the district nicknamed “The Little Southwest Conference”, they haven’t ever been a consistent contender like crosstown team Midland Lee or Odessa Permian. None of that matters, because any given Friday anything can happen, which is why the Bulldogs are the most lethal team in the district, and might end up assassinating a more traditionally better team in the playoffs.
Let’s put the Bulldogs’ season into context so far: In 2015, they lost 59-0 to Permian. In 2016, they won by a score of 49-48. In 2015, Midland had 7 total losses, most of which came to below average schools. In 2016, they have a single loss. That loss happens to be to DeSoto, who needed a two minute drive to beat the Bulldogs as the clock wound down in the 4th quarter. Craig Yenzer can’t be praised enough for the turnaround this team has undergone in a mere 12 months.
This one decides the district title. Both teams are without a blemish in district play, and both are playing extremely strong as of right now. Midland wins close games with toughness and grit, San Angelo Central makes sure you never get close with its speed and tenacity. This is going to be a classic West Texas shootout, and we can’t wait for it.
