It was a high scoring shootout in Odessa (5-2, 2-0) in a matchup against San Angelo Central (1-6, 0-2) that went into overtime, with junior quarterback Mikey Cota scoring a whopping nine touchdowns and throwing for 534 yards to lead the charge in a 71-70 win over the Bobcats for their fourth straight win.
It was a 14-7 game after one quarter, with Odessa starting off the scoring early with a six-yard rushing touchdown by Sebastian Castanada, and an Aidric Rivera extra point to go up 7-0. The Bobcats tied the game with seven minutes left on a 13-yard rushing touchdown by Christian English. With a minute left in the quarter, Cota connected with Jejuan Green for an 83-yard touchdown. Out of the shotgun in third and long, Cota hit the speedy Green on a screen pass, who streaked up the sideline for an easy score.
English scored his second touchdown of the day with 10 minutes left in the second quarter on a two-yard rushing touchdown, and an extra point tied the game. The Bobcats took at 21-14 lead on another English touchdown, taking it 74-yards for a score. With six minutes left in the half, Green took it to the house with a 30-yard touchdown, and Rivera hit the extra point to tie it up. They took the lead with a one-yard rushing touchdown by Cota, but failed to make the two point conversion putting the score at 27-21 in favor of the Bronchos. San Angelo Central took a one point lead on a six-yard pass by English to Tyree Bradley and an extra point to go up 28-27 which is where things stood at halftime.
Ivan Carreon
| Ivan Carreon Hudl
In the second half, English scored on a 21-yard rushing touchdown, and the point after made it 35-27 Bobcats. They increased their lead to 42-27 with seven minutes left on a two-yard rushing touchdown by Jayvion Robinson. With five minutes left in the quarter, English ran the ball in from two-yards out to make it a 49-27 game after a made extra point. Cota then connected with Oklahoma commit Ivan Carreon for a 31-yard touchdown pass to make it 49-34 with the Rivera extra point.
With 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Cota hit Jalen Warren for a 31-yard touchdown pass. He then hit Miguel Ramos for the two point conversion, making it 49-42. San Angelo’s Robinson then scored on a 64-yard rushing touchdown and it was a 56-42 game. With about nine minutes to go in regulation, Cota connected with Warren again, this time for a 12-yard touchdown to go up 56-49. San Angelo fumbled the kickoff return and the Bronchos took over with the ball at San Angelo Central’s 31-yard line.
With less than nine minutes left, Cota hit Warren for a 31-yard touchdown pass, and Rivera tied the game with an extra point. The Bobcats took a 63-56 lead on a 15-yard rushing touchdown by English. Then with four minutes on the clock, Cota connected with Warren for the third time for an eight-yard score, and Rivera tied the game at 63-63 with an extra point. The Bobcats took over with about four minutes left, and got the ball inside the 20-yard line, putting them in field goal range with about 30 seconds left. San Angelo opted for a field goal as time was winding down, but it was no good and they were heading to overtime.
The Bobcats struck first with a one-yard rushing touchdown by Tyree Brawley, and an extra point made it 70-63 Bobcats. Cota then connected with Warren for the fourth time on a 40-yard touchdown pass to, and a two point conversion run by Cota won the game for the Bronchos.
Both teams piled on the offense, with the Bronchos putting up 644 yards and San Angelo Central with 658 yards.
Cota was 27-for-38 for 534 yards in the air. He had eight passing touchdowns and also added a rushing touchdown. Green ran 14 times for 79 yards with a rushing touchdown. He also had five catches for 121 yards and a score. Warren was the top receiver for Cota, with 11 catches for 188 yards and five touchdowns. Carreon caught six passes for 149 yards and a score. Andrew Rodriguez caught four passes for 61 yards.
This was the second straight win in overtime for Odessa, who last week beat Permian 49-42.
Odessa is riding a high with two thrilling wins, and they hope to keep this momentum with a big time district matchup against undefeated Midland on Friday.
Remaining games for Odessa:
Friday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m. at Midland
Friday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m. at Frenship
Friday, Nov. 3, 7 p.m. vs. Midland Legacy