Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Tommy Mann Jr.

Special to the Orange Leader

ORANGEFIELD – With their back against the wall and clinging to a two point lead, the Bobcats defense held firm and forced a turnover on downs late in the game to secure a 28-26 victory over the Coldspring-Oakhurst Trojans on Friday night at F. L. McClain Stadium.

Orangefield began the game with a six play, 75-yard drive and a quick 7-0 lead when quarterback Carson Gonzalez hit receiver Zach Morrow for a 16-yard touchdown pass less than three minutes into the game.

It looked as if the Bobcats would run away with the game as running back Mason Manning had runs of 30 yards and 19 yards on the scoring drive, but the Trojans defense would rise to the challenge as it intercepted Gonzalez on consecutive drives, including one deep in Bobcats territory at the 17-yard line.

Trojans running back Tyga Parker needed just one play to put Coldspring on the board as rumbled 17-yards for the touchdown to cut the Bobcats lead to 7-6.

Orangefield responded on its next drive by marching 73 yards in eight plays and 14-6 lead when Manning scored on a 7-yard run early in the second quarter.

The second-quarter would turn into a scoring frenzy as both teams found the end zone multiple times.

Coldspring answered the Orangefield score with its own time-consuming possession as the Trojans consumed nearly seven minutes off the game clock on a 68-yard, 11-play drive. This time it was running back Cookie McGowen on a 2-yard run, The two point conversion failed leaving the Trojans trailing, 14-12.

Manning had a 22-yard run to midfield on the Bobcats first play of the next possession, but the Trojans forced a fumble and recovered the ball at their own 45-yard line. One play later, quarterback David Rowe found Trojans running back Cadyn Barton behind the Orangefield defense along the right sideline for a 55-yard touchdown pass and the first Coldspring lead of the night, 20-14, following the two point run with 4:25 to play in the half.

Gonzalez hit Manning for a 21-yard pass to start the next Bobcats drive and moved into Coldspring territory. A few plays later, facing third down and 10 from the Trojans 20-yard line, Gonzalez faked the handoff to Manning and dashed through the Coldspring defense for the touchdown to retake the lead, 21-20, with 1:55 to play in the second quarter.

The Trojans were not ready to go to the locker room just yet as Coldspring needed just two plays to find the score board and the lead once again. With first and 10 at their own 44-yard line, Parker scored on a 56-yard draw play to put Coldspring ahead 26-21 at the break.

The second-half was a different tale as both defenses came out hitting and were determined not to let the opposing offense back into the end zone.

It looked as if the Trojans were about to extend their lead on the first possession of the third quarter as the offense marched from its own 19-yard line to the Bobcats 12-yard line. Parker took the handoff and was hit by a host of Bobcats defenders at the 5-yard line, where he fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Orangefield.

The teams would trade possessions and field position with consecutive turnovers, but Orangefield would strike midway through the third quarter.

Taking over after a Coldspring fumble, the Bobcats had the ball at the Trojans 34-yard line. Manning rumbled for a 19-yard gain to the 15-yard line on the first play, and, two plays later, punched the ball into the end zone on a 15-yard touchdown run to give Orangefield a 28-26 lead.

The Bobcats defense found its footing and refused to allow the Trojans another touchdowns. Ryan McAlpin came up with an interception for the Bobcats at the 8-yard line to stop one drive, and the Orangefield defense stripped the ball from Trojans quarterback Rowe on the next.

Coldspring would have one last chance in the fourth quarter and chewed up nearly 7:30 on a drive that started at the Trojans 40-yard line. However, facing fourth down and 5 from the Bobcats 9-yard line, Rowe overthrew his receiver in the end zone. The Orangefield offense then ran out the clock to win the game.

The Orangefield Bobcats spread offense gained 418 total yards for the game with the bulk of it coming on the ground as Manning carried the ball 34 times for 255 yards and three touchdowns.

Gonzalez completed seven of 15 passes for 108 yards and one touchdown for the game, while rushing for 51 yards on six carries and a touchdown. The Bobcats leading receiver was Morrow, who had five receptions and 83 yards and a touchdown on the night.

The Bobcats had five turnovers for the game, which included three interceptions and two fumbles. The team also had 10 penalties for 65-yards.

The Trojans gained 375 yards of offense on the night with Rowe throwing for 108 yards on nine completions with one touchdown and one interception. Parker had 132 yards rushing on 19 carries with two touchdowns.

The Bobcats (5-2, 3-0) travel to Kirbyville (3-3, 0-2) next Friday for another important district matchup to take on the Wildcats, which were on a bye this week.