Odessa Compass Academy had played 18 varsity games heading into the 2022 season, with two victories during that span.
Now, three games into the Floyd White era at the school, the Cougars have doubled up in the win column.
Compass Academy, using a bruising offense and tenacious defense, held off Iraan, 14-13, in nondistrict play Friday at Ratliff Stadium.
“The kids work hard,” said White, who took the job in January after several seasons running the defense at Midland Legacy.
“When I took this job, I knew there was talent here and the kids just needed a little bit of guidance and a little bit of just trusting what they can do. Right now, the world is our oyster.”
A little bit of luck helped as well as the Braves were unable to convert an extra point with 3:47 to play that would have tied the game.
It was homecoming for the Cougars (2-1), who moved the game from their normal home field at Greenwood High.
Jeremiah Dominguez led Compass Academy with a game-high 74 yards on 10 carries.
Ricardo Salinas caught two passes for 29 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Diego Franco that put the Cougars on the scoreboard first with 6:33 to play in the first quarter.
Franco finished 11-of-13 passing for 70 yards and the one touchdown.
Running back Abraham Davalos was the workhorse, carrying 19 times for 51 yards, many of them inside the tackles.
It was his 1-yard plunge over the left side with 8:06, and the ensuing extra point by Christian Altenhofen, that proved to be the winning score.
“Abraham knew coming over there that he was going to have to get the tough yards for us,” White said of his stepson. “He goes in there, running downhill, and takes the hits.”
Iraan (2-1) was led by running back Jd Solis, who finished with 57 yards on 10 carries, including a 22-yard touchdown run that tied the game, 7-7, with 8:54 remaining in the third quarter.
Braves quarterback Prather Schneemann was 13-of-18 passing for 121 yards and one touchdown.
That scoring toss, to wide receiver Angel Zapata with 3:41 remaining to play, pulled Iraan with one.
But that snap was high on the conversion attempt and the Cougars quickly smothered the Braves’ attempts at a two-point try.
>> Follow Lee Scheide on Twitter at @OALeeScheide
