The Orangefield Bobcats held on when it mattered most to beat the Coldspring-Oakhurst Trojans, 28-26, Friday night at F.L. McClain Stadium in Orangefield.
The Bobcats took the opening possession 75-yards in six plays and only needed 2:47 to find the end zone when quarterback Carson Gonzalez hit receiver Zach Morrow for a 16-yard touchdown pass in the left corner and 7-0 lead.
Following back to back interceptions of Gonzalez, the Trojans started deep in Orangefield territory with the ball at the 17-yard line. Running back Tyga Parker showcased his speed with a 17-yard touchdown run on the first play to make the score, 7-6 for the Bobcats.
The Bobcats leaned heavily on running back Mason Manning all night as he carried the ball for 86-yards in the first quarter alone. He punched the ball into the end zone early in the second quarter on a 7-yard run to extend the Orangefield lead to 14-6.
The Trojans responded on the next drive and Coldspring changed its offense to a quicker pace. Running back Cookie McGowen completed the 68-yard, 6:50 drive with a 2-yard scoring run to leave the score at 14-12 Orangefield after the failed two point attempt.
Another Orangefield turnover gave Coldspring the ball at their own 45-yard line. Trojans quarterback David Rowe needed just one play to find running back Cadyn Barton down the right sideline for the 55-yard touchdown pass to put Coldspring on top 20=14.
Orangefield would only need 2:30 to respond and retake the lead. The key plays of the drive were a 21-yard pass from Gonzalez to receiver Zach Morrow to put the ball in Coldspring territory, and a 20-yard touchdown run up the middle by Gonzalez.
Coldspring would not go away quietly and showed how quickly it could strike when Parker, on a draw play, rumbled 56-yards untouched for the Trojans touchdown and 26-21 lead at halftime.
The Trojans were poised to extend their lead early in the third quarter, but the Bobcats defense came up with its first of three second-half turnovers as Parker fumbled at the Orangefield 4-yard line.
Both teams traded possessions before Orangefield took advantage of a short field.
Manning took charge on the drive and roared a big 19-yard gain to the Coldspring 15-yard line. On the next play, he finished the drive with a 15-yard touchdown run to put Orangefield back on top, 28-26, midway through the third quarter.
Orangefield defender Ryan McAlpin would stuff the next Coldspring drive with an interception at the Bobcats 8-yard line, and then the Bobcats defense stripped the ball from Rowe at the Bobcats 40-yard line.
The Bobcats defense stood tall once more to end another Coldspring scoring threat. After holding the ball for 7:28 of the fourth quarter and moving the ball from the Trojans 40-yard line to the Bobcats 9-yard line, the Orangefield defense forced a turnover on downs when Rowe overthrew his receiver in the end zone.
Orangefield ran out the clock on its next possession to come away with another hard fought win in District 10-3A Divison 1.
The Bobcats had 418 total yards of offense on Friday night against Kirbyville, as Gonzalez passed for 108 yards and one touchdown, while completing seven throws in 15 attempts and three interceptions.
Manning powered the Orangefield running game for much of the night, as he carried the ball an astonishing 34 times for 255 yards and three touchdowns, while Gonzalez finished the game with six totes and 51 yards rushing.
Gonzalez favorite receiving target was Morrow, who had five receptions and 83 yards and one touchdown on the night.
The Orangefield defense limited the Wildcats offense to 375 total yards for the game, while coming up with three takeaways, including one interception and two fumble recoveries.
Orangefield (5-2, 3-0) looks to extend its four-game winning streak as the team travels to Kirbyville (3-3, 0-2) next Friday for another District 10-3A Division 1 contest against the Wildcats. Kirbyville was on a bye this week.
Coldspring (4-2, 1-1) will host East Chambers (4-2, 2-1) in a game that will definitely have playoff implications next Friday night.
-Tommy Mann, KOGT-
COLDSPRING 6 20 0 0 26
ORANGEFIELD 7 14 7 0 28
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