SAN ANGELO, TX — The Abilene Cooper Cougars 0-2 record, a new head coach, Scott Stewart, on the road and no homefield disadvantage, a 21-14, seven-point half-time deficit vs the San Angelo Central High School Bobcats looked like Abilene was headed for its third consecutive loss.
For whatever reason, after a 25-minute delay due to lightning, Abilene scored 14 points in the second half for its first win of the season in a 28-21 non-district, Homecoming heartbreak loss for Central High.
Abilene Cooper was behind the eight-ball way before it faced the Bobcats in Friday night’s September 11, 2026 matchup at San Angelo Stadium.
First, Cougars’ assistant coach, Stewart who was on staff was not hired as the new HC until mid-May. When the season kicked off, Abilene suffered two early losses; one to Azel 28-24, then its second consecutive defeat to crosstown rivals, Abilene Eagles 14-6.
The HOCO game started fast as both offenses marshalled up-and-down the field at will. On the Bobcats’ first offensive series, quarterback Micah Smith completed a 25-yard pass to receiver Gavin Johnson who was in the slot. Johnson runs up the seam, fakes right, cuts across the middle, catches the pass for a 20-yard gain with the ball spotted at the 45-yard line.
The Bobcats now in Pistol formation, hand the ball off to Zeyvion Johnson who runs up the middle for a huge 33-yard gain to reach the Cougars’ 23-yard line.
On the drive, Central facing a first, and goal at the nine, Smith fakes the ball off to Johnson. With Gavin Johnson, split wide left, he slants across in the endzone when Micah throws the ball over the top of the defense and Gavin high-points the ball for the touchdown. The 75-yard drive took nearly three minutes off the clock. Central led 7-0 with 9:20 left in the first quarter.
The Cougars quickly responded with a touchdown of their own. Abilene’s Demarius Dunson’s great kick-off return to the 45 set the offense up in great field position.
When Abilene gets to Central’s 24-yard line with a first-and-ten, Cougars’ quarterback Matthew Cole throws a swing pass to receiver Markuel Sims who outruns the Bobcats’ defensive secondary for a touchdown. The PAT makes it Cats 7, Cougars 7.
Central High offense on its second possession puts the ball in Z Johnson’s hands. On first-and 10 from the 45-yard line, the “Z train has left the station” back goes around the right side of the offensive line’s wall which allowed him to race down the sideline for Central’s second touchdown. With the PAT, Bobcats lead 14-7 with 5:38 in the first quarter.
The first quarter ended with Abilene Cooper on offense. It was San Angelo Central 14, Abilene 7.
In the second quarter with both teams struggling to get their offenses untracked, it is the Cougars that get on the scoreboard.
On second down at the Bobcats’ 26-yard line, Zay Johnson who is split wide left, with Elijah Sotelo in the slot, crosses up the defensive secondary by Sotelo screening Landon Smith from Johnson. Zay catches the screen pass then runs behind left tackle Jaeden Dessivia’s block, gives Smith a fake and runs past a defensive back for a touchdown. Ater the PAT, the game is tied, 14-14 with 5:55 left in the second quarter.
After the 25-minute lighting delay, the Bobcats’ Z Johnson plunges in for a one-yarder on fourth down. Central leads 21-14 late in the second quarter which ends up being the half-time score.
At half-time six Duchesses nominees, and six Duke nominees walked the red carpet before the CHS student body, and community. Below are the names of the nominees.
Duchesses
Breelyn Adams
Emily Buck
Gracen Coates
Joelle Griffis
Taylor Thomason
Sophia Underhill
Dukes
Trey Allen
Tucker Beaty
Ian Caraballo-Pagan
Gino Mendez
Cash Visney
Akash Vukoti
The 2026 HOCO king announced was Gino Mendez. In a surprised announcement, CHS’s new HOCO queens, Gracen Coates, and Breelyn Adams ended up in a tie.
When the third quarter started, Bobcat Nation was about to experience a rude awakening. The team ended up shell shocked due to is inability to score any points.
In the third quarter, Central has a golden opportunity to put up additional points on a 34-yard field goal attempt. The kicker’s attempt bounced off the goal post.
The Cougars facing second-and nine, Dunson in the Wildcat formation, takes the ball to the two-yard line. On third-down and goal, Dunson plunges low to get in for the touchdown. The PAT makes it a tied ball game,21-21 with 2:09 left in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Central was facing a fourth-and-one at Cooper’s 16 when a penalty flag pushed the Cats back. Now it is fourth-and-16 and the Bobcats unable to convert the first down turn it over on downs.
When Central gets the ball back, Smith goes back to pass, looks right finds no one open, looks back to the left and attempts a pass toward Gavin. That last second hesitation was just enough for defensive back, Chris Assir to step in front of Gavin for the INT to take it to the three-yard line. There is a penalty on the return which pushes Cooper back to the 31. The Angry Orange defense stonewalls Cooper that gives its offense another opportunity to get points.
Central cannot sustain its drive so is forced to punt. This time the Cougars make the Cats pay. Abilene’s Sims rips off a huge 27-yard gain to put the offense at the 22. But a pass interference places the ball at the eight-yard line.
The Cougars on second-and goal from the 13, go to their cowbell back, Dunson who veers left, sheds a tackler, and breaks an arm tackle to scamper in for the touchdown. The Cougars lead 28-21 with 2:01 left in the game.
On the kick-off return, Durius Huwitt takes the ball up the middle before he is tackled at the 25-yard-line.
With Central facing third down at Cooper’s 13, Smith throws a pass to Jesse Smith who was running a wheel route. Smith had a step on the defender but the pass went through his fingertips.
A last gasp to tie the game ends on a fourth down and seven at the 13. Smith overthrows a wide-open Gavin the end zone.
The Bobcats now (1-2) get a road trip break. Instead of a long-distance trip to play the Montwood Rams (0-3) in El Paso, Texas, both teams agreed to play in Andrews, TX. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m.