In a week where both teams needed a victory to get back on track in District 2-6A play, it was the visiting Midland High Bulldogs that got what they wanted in the end.
Midland High secured its first district victory with a 54-21 win against Odessa High Friday at Ratliff Stadium.
Both teams were coming off losses in their District 2-6A openers last week as Midland High came up short against Wolfforth Frenship in a 48-47 contest while Odessa High suffered a 50-26 defeat against crosstown rivals Permian.
With the win, Midland High improved to 5-2 overall, 1-1 in district while Odessa High fell to 2-4, 0-2.
With the six-team District 2-6A shaping up to be a chaotic race to the very end, every game has become much more crucial.
“We just wanted to come out and establish what we’ve tried to be in all three phases of the game,” Midland High head coach Thad Fortune said. “I’m really proud of the kids. We did a much better job during practice this week. We stayed focused and in this district, any little thing can turn into a big mistake. When you face a good offense like we did tonight, you have to take advantage. I’m proud of our kids and how they played. We cleaned up things that we needed to clean up. We didn’t turn the ball over. I’m really happy with how it went. We just have to keep getting better.”
Odessa High quarterback Mikey Cota left the game in the first half with an injury and didn’t return for the remainder of the game.
Santiago Medrano took over under center for the Broncho quarterback.
“It’s tough,” Odessa High head coach Erik Hartman said. “Our kids keep fighting and that’s what I want. But I want our kids to be successful and that’s what hurts me. We spend hours and hours to make sure we put in the work and it’s heart-breaking because our kids put in the work also. Midland High is a good team. They’re tough to stop.”
Hartman didn’t have much to say on the status of Cota’s injury.
“It’s unclear right now,” Hartman said. “It’s a foot thing and we won’t know until he gets taken in later on.”
Midland High running back Elijah McCoy had 21 carries for 259 yards and three touchdowns while quarterback Stroman Bridges had eight carries for 120 yards and a touchdown.
Bridges only went 2-of-4 for 28 yards passing.
Odessa High’s Jorge Valdez had 11 rushes for 97 yards and a touchdown.
Cota went 14-of-17 for 103 yards passing before he was done.
Medrano went 5-of-14 for 105 yards and a touchdown.
OHS Wide receiver Kobi Baldonado had six catches for 68 yards.
Midland High needed only two plays to set the tone, scoring on a 58-yard touchdown run by Bridges and the PAT by Keith Ramos gave the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead with 11:01 left in the first quarter.
The Bronchos answered back with a scoring drive on their first drive of the game with a 2-yard run by Cota. Joseluis Zubia’s extra point was good, tying the game at 7-7 with 5:32 left.
Midland High only needed one play to answer back, scoring on a 75-yard touchdown run by McCoy, putting the Bulldogs back in front with 5:20 remaining.
Facing fourth down and 11, the Bronchos elected to go for from the Midland High 35.
However, two false start penalties pushed the Bronchos back to fourth and 21 and the offense remained on the field.
The gamble did not pay off and resulted in a fumble by Odessa High as Midland High defensive end Tahj Harris fell on the loose ball and the Bulldogs recovered with 47 seconds remaining and with possession at the OHS 43.
Midland High scored as the first quarter expired as Anthony Kolb found the end zone on a 37-yard run, giving the Bulldogs a 21-7 lead heading into the second.
Things didn’t any easier for the Bronchos and a turnover gave the Bulldogs possession on the OHS 45.
Midland High took advantage and the Bulldogs embarked on a five-play, 52-yard scoring drive, ending in a 4-yard run by McCoy to make it 28-7 with 6:13 left.
The Bulldogs were continued to be gifted excellent field position, taking over on the OHS 35 after short punt by the Bronchos with under five minutes left.
The Bulldogs didn’t disappoint as Cutter Lange scored on a 19-yard run to make it 35-7 with 2:11 left.
Odessa High did end the first half on a high note, scoring on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Medrano to Aramis Rodriguez as time expired.
However, the PAT was no good and the Bronchos’ deficit was 35-13 at the break.
McCoy scored on a 1-yard run in the third quarter and Ramos added a 37-yard field goal.
One of the few highlights of the game for the Bronchos came when Jorge Valdez scored on a 73-yard touchdown run. Odessa High then converted on the two-point conversion pass to Xavier Perales, bringing the Bronchos to a 45-21 deficit with 7:21 left.
However, nothing else went right for the Bronchos as Midland High added another touchdown with a 15-yard run by Jordan McGowan and a fumbled snap by Odessa High went through the end zone for a safety.
Midland High will next face San Angelo Central at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at Astound Broadband Stadium while Odessa High will face Wolfforth Frenship at the same time at Peoples’ Bank Stadium.
