The Orangefield Bobcats are the champions of District 10-3A Division 1.
The Bobcats beat East Chambers 41-20 on Friday night at F.L. McClain Stadium in Orangefield for its sixth straight victory and the district title in Coach Jeff Breaux’s first year. Orangefield will represent District 10-3A as the first-place team and will face the fourth-placed team from District 9-3A Division 1 in the bi-district round of the playoffs, which will be held Nov. 14-Nov. 16. The opponent and location of the game are still to be determined.
Orangefield struck first. The Bobcats started the drive from its own 5-yard line and introduced running back Mason Manning to the Bucs defense quickly and often. Manning had 66 yards rushing on the first drive alone, which he capped off with a two yard run to give Orangefield a 6-0 advantage with 2:59 to play in the first quarter.
East Chambers found the end zone on its second possession as quarterback KJ Fontenot scored on a 3-yard scramble up the middle for a 7-6 Buccaneers lead. The score was set up by a 29-yard catch and run on a fake punt turned pass from Koby Jones to Ethan Cart to the Bobcats 13-yard line.
Manning scored his second touchdown of the game on the Bobcats next possession when he rumbled 13-yards for a touchdown to close out a 61-yard drive. The key play of this drive was a 10-yard run by Fernando Sandoval-Rodriguez on a fake punt by the Bobcats, which helped extend the drive and eventually put Orangefield back on top, 13-7.
East Chambers appeared to be ready to take the lead, but a deep pass into the left corner of the end zone was intercepted by Orangefield defender Zach Morrow and gave the Bobcats the ball at its own 20-yard line with 1:31 left in the first half.
Instead of running out the clock, Orangefield went on the offensive and used a mix of runs by Manning and passes by Gonzalez to reach the 48-yard line. On the next play, Gonzalez dropped back and found Morrow open running across the middle for what ended up being a 52-yard catch and run to the end zone giving Orangefield a 20-7 lead at the half.
The Bobcats only needed one play to score to start the third quarter as Manning rumbled 62 yards for the touchdown and a 27-7 Bobcats lead.
The Buccaneers got back on the scoreboard a few minutes later as Jones scored on a 14-yard run around the right end and down the sideline to make the score, 27-14.
Another Bobcats possession and another Bobcats touchdown as Manning only needed one play, again, to score. This time, after the Bucs failed to convert the onside kick, Manning dashed through the East Chambers defense for a 41-yard touchdown and a 34-14 Orangefield advantage.
East Chambers picked up the pace on its next possession and found the end zone once more as running back Jarrell Smith scored on a 15-yard run cutting the score to 34-20.
This time the Orangefield offense decided to take its time and chew up the game clock with a five minute drive that covered 58-yards. Manning scored his fifth rushing touchdown of the night when he ran through the Bucs for an 8-yard score.
The Orangefield defense stood strong on the Buccaneers possession and forced a turnover on downs. This time the Orangefield offense would run out the final 6:18 of the game for the 41-20 win and district title.
The Bobcats had 455 total yards of offense on Friday night, as Orangefield rushed for 367 yards and five touchdowns, while passing for 88 yards and one touchdown.
Gonzalez threw for 88 yards in 11 attempts. He completed six of those passes, which included one touchdown. He added 30 yards rushing on five totes.
Manning powered the Bobcats rushing attack with 255 yards and five touchdowns on 21 carries. Lecea had 13 carries for an additional 61 yards.
Morrow had 54 receiving yards and a touchdown on two catches against the Bucs. Carson Worthy added 18 yards on two catches on the night.
The Orangefield defense, led by Kaleb Menard, held the Buccaneers offense to 307 total yards for the game, while coming up with an interception and two sacks.
Orangefield (7-2, 5-0), will be at Cougar Stadium next Thursday for a Week 11 game against Buna (1-8, 0-5). The Cougars lost 36-14 to the Kirbyville Wildcats on Friday night.
-Tommy Mann, KOGT-
EAST CHAMBERS 0 7 13 0 20
ORANGEFIELD 6 14 14 7 41
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