The Orangefield Bobcats look primed and ready to defend their district title as the Bobcats demolished the New Waverly Bulldogs by a score of 45-9 Friday night at F.L. McClain Stadium to remain perfect on the young season.
Early on it looked as if Orangefield might have trouble with New Waverly as the Bulldogs took the opening possession from its own 25-yard line and methodically marched the ball downfield to the Bobcats 20-yard line. New Waverly settled for a 37-yard field goal by Trey Sherwin for a 3-0 lead with 6:53 left in the first quarter.
It was all Bobcats after that as Orangefield scored on every possession in the first-half.
Orangefield responded on its first possession with an 83-yard drive that consumed just two minutes off the clock as running back Mason Manning scored a 20-yard touchdown for the Bobcats and a 7-3 advantage for Orangefield.
The Bobcats only needed two plays to score on its next possession as quarterback Carson Gonzales found Manning running down the middle just behind the Bulldogs secondary for a 36-yard touchdown pass and catch. Orangefield now lead 14-3 at the end of the first.
On its next possession, Orangefield moved the ball 56 yards in just under four minutes in seven plays. Running back Kyler Green set up the score with a pounding 17-yard run to the Bulldogs 3-yard line, which was followed by a 3-yard score by Manning on the next play to put the Bobcats ahead 21-3.
Orangefield showed it could score quickly when needed on its final possession of the first-half as the Bobcats scored on a Gonzales 3-yard touchdown around the right side on fourth and goal. A fumbled punt return by the Bulldogs gave Orangefield a second chance to capitalize on its final possession.
Manning added his fourth touchdown of the night on the first play of the second-half as he took the handoff 79-yards up the middle for a 35-3 lead. Kicker Gavin Gravett added a 37-yard field goal to start the fourth quarter to extend the Bobcats lead, 38-3.
New Waverly would add a touchdown late in the fourth quarter as Travia Davis II scored on a 2-yard run, which made the score 38-9 after the failed extra point.
Hunter Reeves added another Orangefield score to the board on a 30-yard scramble through the Bulldogs defense for the final touchdown of the night.
Orangefield rushed for 345 yards, pounding the Bulldogs for nine-yards per carry. Bobcats running back Mason Manning did most of the damage, as he collected 172 yards and three rushing touchdowns on 10 attempts. He also had a receiving touchdown. Gonzales completed seven passes for 95 yards on 10 attempts and a touchdown, while rushing for 22-yards and a touchdown.
The defense pressured the Bulldogs quarterbacks all night and held New Waverly to just 100 yards of total offense, while tallying three sacks on the night.
Orangefield (2-0) will host Bridge City (2-0) next Friday in a highly anticipated Bayou Bowl clash, which features not only two high-powered offenses and physical defenses but also marks the return of Cardinals Coach Josh Smalley to Orangefield since he last coached his former team during the 2023 season. Bridge City defeated Kirbyville, 35-13, on Friday night.
-Tommy Mann, KOGT-
Above: Rylan Agerton moves the chains for the Bobcats.
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