Odessa High, which stumbled out the gates in a loss to rival Permian, attempts to right the wrongs on offense as it hits the road for its District 2-6A matchup against San Angelo Central on Friday.
“We have had a great week of practice,” head coach Dusty Ortiz said. “We need to prepare to win, execute more during practice, clean up the mistakes we have had the past couple of weeks, and just make sure that we are firing on all cylinders come Friday.”
Against Permian, the Bronchos attempted 22 passes, most coming after they were trailing 24-0 at the half.
The team started off the game with consecutive three-and-outs, and continued sputtering on offense all night.
“A lot of our struggles have been just getting into a rhythm,” Ortiz said. “When you look at the games that we have struggled offensively, we did not extend drives. We did not have many possessions as well.”
San Angelo Central (4-2, 1-0 in District 6A) has an up-tempo offense that averages 40 points per game.
Ortiz feels like that his Bronchos (3-3, 0-1) can use that light speed offense to his team’s advantage.
“(The Bobcats) are going to play a fast-paced offense, and that’s going to help us out,” Ortiz said. “We should have many more possessions. That will help us get in rhythm, which will help the offense score and get back on track.”
>> CONTAIN HILL: Tyler Hills, the Bobcats’ senior quarterback, has been the high point man for Central this season.
He averages 141 rushing yards per game (more than Odessa High averages per game), with a season-high 246 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a 63-61 win over Abilene Wylie on September 23.
“Hill is a great athlete,” Ortiz said. “He’s on the track team and has a lot of speed.
“The Bobcats do a lot of read-option plays with Hill when he is reading an inside run. If we don’t do our job, technically and fundamentally on defense, he is going to pull it and get 20 yards before we can even figure out what is going on.”
>> FORCING TURNOVERS: The Bronchos have started off slow in the turnover department this season.
The team has only three all season, all three coming against Schertz Clemens on Sept. 24 at Ratliff Stadium.
Ortiz said that by creating more offensive possessions, the team can have a better overall rhythm in future games, including against Central on Friday.
“When we get those takeaways and turnovers, it gives our offense rhythm and helps give us a chance to score,” Ortiz said. “Our foundation of the team is our offense and scoring, so we got to work on getting more turnovers.
“The more turnovers, the more we can make our opponents’ offense punt, that increases our chances of winning and also increases our chance of our offense to score some points.”
>> LOWER LEVEL: The freshmen defeated the Panthers 28-24 this past Thursday night at Ratliff Stadium.
The JV Red and White teams also defeated the Panthers, 24-22 and 30-14, respectively, against their crosstown rivals.
The Freshmen White team faces San Angelo Central at 5 p.m. Thursday at San Angelo Stadium. The Freshmen Red team will take the field immediately following.
The JV White team will also battle against the Bobcats, but at home at 5 p.m. Thursday at Ratliff Stadium.
>> Follow Sameer Malla on Twitter at @OA_SameerMalla
ODESSA HIGH AT SAN ANGELO CENTRAL
>> When: 7 p.m. Friday.
>> Where: San Angelo Stadium, San Angelo.
>> Last Season: Odessa High 41, San Angelo Central 14.
>> Records: Odessa High 3-3 overall, 0-1 District 2-6A; San Angelo Central 4-2, 1-0.
>> Radio: KMCM (FM-96.9)
>> Live Updates: Follow on Twitter at @OA_SameerMalla.
