Bobcats tame Cougars: Bobcats now District 10-3A Division 1 district champions
Published 9:44 am Friday, November 8, 2024
Orangefield receiver Zach Morrow (10) takes off for an 18-yard gain early in the game against Buna. (Tommy Mann Jr./ Special to the Orange Leader)
Orangefield kicker Ty Butler (5) drills a 35-yard field goal during the first quarter against the Cougars. Orangefield won the game, 52-22. (Tommy Mann Jr./ Special to the Orange Leader)
Bobcats quarterback Carson Gonzalez (0) rushes for a 13-yard gain during the first-half against Buna on Thursday night. (Tommy Mann Jr./ Special to the Orange Leader)
Orangefield running back Jose Lecea (17) pounds through the Buna defense for a 2-yard touchdown run and his first of two touchdowns on the night against Buna. (Tommy Mann Jr./ Special to the Orange Leader)
Bobcats running back Mason Manning (2) takes the handoff from quarterback Carson Gonzalez for a nice gain during the second-quarter against Buna. (Tommy Mann Jr./ Special to the Orange Leader)
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BUNA – The Bobcats traveled to Buna on Thursday night and defeated the Cougars, 52-22, to close out District 10-3A Division 1 play for the season as district champions.
Orangefield received the opening kickoff and went right to work as the offense only needed four plays to move 68 yards in 2:35 as running back Mason Manning scored on an 8-yard run to give the Bobcats a 7-0 lead following the extra point kick by Ty Butler.
The Bobcats defense did its job by forcing the Cougars go three-and-out and punt the ball back to Orangefield.
Again, the Bobcats quickly moved deep into Buna territory as Manning ripped off a 55-yard jaunt through the Cougars defense to the 6-yard line. Unfortunately, a personal foul penalty after the play backed the ball up to the Cougars 21-yard line and Orangefield would eventually settle for a 35-yard field goal by Butler to lead, 10-0 with 5:59 left in the first quarter.
Manning capped off the next Bobcats possession with a 2-yard run up the middle for a 17-0 lead with 1:41 left in the quarter. The drive covered 60 yards and 2:29 off the clock.
Another Buna punt gave Orangefield fantastic field position as Zach Morrow returned the punt 55-yards to the Buna 5-yard line. Two plays later Manning punched the ball in for a 3-yard scoring run and his night was done as the Bobcats led 24-0 early in the second quarter.
Rylan Agerton deflected the next Buna punt, which set the Bobcats up at the Cougars 32-yard line to start its next drive. Four plays later running back Jose Lecea scored on a 2-yard run to extend the Bobcats lead, 31-0.
The Bobcats decided to work on the passing game a bit on the final drive prior to halftime. Facing third and 12 from the Buna 34-yard line, quarterback Carson Gonzalez dropped back and found receiver Kyler Green on a deep post over the middle for a 34-yard touchdown catch. Orangefield led 38-0 at halftime.
Buna received the opening kickoff in the second-half, but the Bobcats defense did its job once again and forced the Cougars to punt. This time Lecea only needed one play to reach the end zone as he took the hand-off from Gonzalez and dashed 47-yards through the heart of the Buna defense for the touchdown and 45-0 Orangefield lead.
At this point the Bobcats began moving personnel in and out of the lineups and the Cougars took advantage of the opportunity as the Buna offense scored touchdowns on its next three possessions, all courtesy of Tanner Crane. Crane scored touchdowns on a 1-yard run, 9-yard run and 4-yard run. The Cougars converted two of three two-point conversions as well.
Bobcats running back Gage Lucas as a touchdown early in the fourth quarter on a 10-yard run for the final Orangefield score of the night.
Orangefield generated 331 yards of total offense against the Cougars, most of it by Lecea who rushed for 112 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns. Manning had three rushing touchdowns in the first half as he carried the ball just eight times for 71 yards. Gage Lucas added 49 yards on nine carries and one touchdown.
Gonzalez completed six of 12 passes for 64 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. He rushed for 17 yards on four carries as well.
Kyler Green led the Bobcats receivers with 34 yards on one catch for a touchdown, while Zach Morrow had two catches for 14 yards in limited action on offense.
The Bobcats defense held Buna to 165 yards of total offense on the night with the majority coming in the second-half.
As the champions of District 10-3A Division 1, the Bobcats (8-2, 6-0) have earned the No. 1 seed for the district in the playoffs and will host the No. 4 seed from District 9-3A Division 1, which is still to be determined. The Bi-District round will be held from Thursday, Nov. 14 – Saturday, Nov. 16.
