Montwood drops close one to San Angelo Central despite big night from Izayuh Claudio
The past two years, San Angelo Central and Montwood have put on a quite a show for high school football fans, including a thrilling Central win in San Angelo in 2022.
On Friday at the SISD Student Activities Complex, the two teams went toe-to-toe again and this time the Bobcats edged the Rams, 35-33.
Montwood falls to 0-2 and San Angelo Central is 1-1.
Decisive second half plays
The Bobcats used a big special teams play to take the lead for good, 28-27, and four fourth down conversions in the final quarter to pull out the win.
The big special teams play was a kickoff return for a score by Alex Lindsey in the third quarter to put the Bobcats up 28-27 after Montwood took a 27-21 lead on a Michael Southern touchdown run.
The Bobcats extended the lead to 35-27 in the fourth when running back Jayvion Robinson capped a 15-play, 62-yard drive in which the Bobcats converted three fourth down conversions.
Montwood pulled within 35-33 on running back Izayuh Claudio's fourth rushing score of the game, but the Rams failed on the two-point conversion.
The Bobcats closed out the game when running back Tyree Bralwey ran for 3 yards on a fourth and two play to secure the win with just more than two minutes left. Montwood had no more timeouts remaining after the Bobcats first down.
The Bobcats also got a key third quarter interception from Colter Farmer to stop a potential Rams scoring drive deep in Bobcats territory.
Tight first half
It was an even first half as San Angelo Central took a 21-19 lead into the halftime break. Montwood's Claudio scored all of the Rams' touchdowns on scoring runs of 1, 1 and 2 yards. But Montwood had a PAT blocked and a two-point conversion that failed. Claudio finished with 84 yards rushing in the first half.
The Bobcats countered with a touchdown pass and a touchdown run from quarterback Christian English and a 25-yard touchdown run by Brawley.
Improved Montwood offense
The Rams improved by 19 points on offense this week after scoring 14 in last week's road loss to Midland High. Head coach Ivan Rangel said the team took a step forward on the offensive line and felt the five guys up front controlled the line of scrimmage against San Angelo Central.
What the Montwood coach said
"I'm proud of our guys and the way they competed," Rangel said. "I thought our defense played physical and on offense we did a lot of good things. Izayuh ran the ball great and he's working hard. We have to get better on special teams, we have to continue to get better as a whole and we have to coach better. But we took a step forward in this game."
What the Montwood players said
"We came back after the loss to Midland High and had a good week of practice," Claudio said. "The offensive line played great and without them, I wouldn't have the success in scoring the touchdowns I did. Those guys up front played well."
Added Southern: "Izayuh played well and gave a great effort. We can build on some of the things we did as we get ready for district.."
Up next
The Rams begin District 1-6A play next week against Americas and San Angelo Central takes on Abilene Cooper.
Eastlake dismantles Rio Rancho (N.M.)
The Falcons avenged a 13-7 loss last year to Rio Rancho High School from New Mexico with a 35-7 win in the nightcap at the SAC.
The Falcons (2-0) never trailed and led 21-7 at the halftime break behind two touchdown passes from Luke Lomeli to Ivan Medrano and a Lomeili rushing touchdown.
The Rams, who are 2-1, used a mishap on special teams by the Falcons to set up their lone score in the opening 24 minutes.
Eastlake added two scores in the second half on touchdown runs from Lomeli and Julius Acosta. Eastlake also got solid play from wide receiver Junior Trotman, who had several nice catches on the night. The Eastlake defense was sound and had two interceptions and has allowed seven points in two games this season.
"We prepared well for this game, we watched a lot of tape and we played well as a team," Medrano said.
Eastlake now gears up for District 1-6A play next week vs. El Dorado.
More: Odessa High edges Americas Thriller on Thursday: Odessa High's late scoring drive tops Americas
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter
Thursday's scores
Mountain View 41, Cathedral 15
Odessa High 22, Americas 20
Friday's scores
Canutillo 21, Coronado 19
San Angelo Central 35, Montwood 33
Eastlake 21, Rio Rancho (NM) 19
Pebble Hills 33, Del Valle 6
Chapin 34, El Dorado 17
Franklin 50, Andress 8
Hanks 37, El Paso High 20
Bowie 28, Horizon 16
Clint 28, Ysleta 24
Parkland 42, Austin 10
Fabens 45, Tornillo 0
Anthony 62, Hot Springs (NM) 6
Irvin 10, Jefferson 3
Bel Air 61, Socorro 7
Eastwood 55, Las Cruces High (NM) 28
Riverside 52, Burges 45
Pecos 49, San Elizario 0
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: San Angelo Central edges Montwood in thriller
