The Odessa High football team has come back down to earth.
After back-to-back victories to begin the season, including a thrilling overtime victory against Lubbock Monterey in the season opener, the Bronchos have been held in check offensive the play two weeks, both losses.
The euphoria that followed a 2-0 start has quickly given way to the reality that in order to compete in District 2-6A, Odessa High is going to have finish drives on offense and find a way to get off the field on defense.
The Bronchos scored 91 points in the first two weeks and have managed just 38 since.
They allowed 66 through two games, but have coughed up 92 the past two contests.
“We have to get better,” Odessa High head coach Dusty Ortiz said. “We’re still looking for the best 11 players to put out there on every play.”
Teams now have plenty of video on Odessa High’s spread offense and have found ways to neutralize wide receiver Ivan Carreon.
Last week’s foe, Amarillo High, did it best, limiting the Bronchos to just 84 passing yards and holding Carreon without a catch for the first time in his 14-game varsity career.
Odessa High’s coaching staff is high on the receiving corps, but now is the time for that group to prove to opposing defenses that if you try to take Carreon out of the game plan we have other ways to beat you.
Senior Kielan Green is second on the team with 15 receptions and sophomore Brendyn Thompson has 11 and two scores, with Blane Mendoza and Andrew Rodriguez each hauling in seven passes and one touchdown.
That group’s 40 combined receptions represents 53.3 percent of the completions, but the touchdowns are just 22 percent of the Bronchos’ scoring.
The wide receivers need to find a way into the end zone.
>>FIRST TO 100: Carreon burst onto the scene in his first varsity game in 2021, catching seven passes for 134 yards and one score against Lubbock Monterey.
That was the start of something very special for then sophomore as he would go on to finish with 77 receptions for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns, setting numerous single-season marks along the way.
He hasn’t missed a beat in 2022 with 23 receptions for 579 yards and six scores.
That 23rd catch was another milestone as Carreon became the first Odessa High wide receiver with 100 career receptions.
The ECISD record is 172, set by Permian’s Lloyd Hill from 1987-1989.
>>ALAMO CITY FOES: In its more than 100 years of existence and play on the football field, Odessa High has faced teams from around the state.
The Bronchos have seen 11 different El Paso schools line up on the other side of the line scrimmage, with eight different Dallas-based opponents and six from Fort Worth.
There have been four New Mexico-based schools and a trio of schools from Amarillo, Houston and Arlington.
Just once, however, have the Bronchos met a school from the San Antonio area before Saturday, when they host Schertz Clemens, located in the Alamo City’s suburbs.
Of course, that meeting was memorable for the Bronchos as they defeated San Antonio Jefferson, 21-14, to win the 1946 state championship.
>> Follow Lee Scheide on Twitter at @OALeeScheide
GAME DAY
SCHERTZ CLEMENS (3-1) AT ODESSA HIGH (2-2)
4 p.m. Today, Ratliff Stadium
Series: First meeting
Last Season: Did not play
Radio: FM-99.1 (KHKX)
Web: kicks99.net
Streaming: bronchosportsnetwork.com
Live updates:
On Twitter at @OALeeScheide
KEYS TO VICTORY
>> GET OFF THE FIELD: In last week’s loss to Amarillo High, the Bronchos ran just 44 plays on offense as the Sandies’ dominated in time of possession, including a drive of more than eight minutes. Odessa High has a dynamic offense, but it has to have the football.
>> TURNOVERS: Through four games, the Bronchos have forced ZERO turnovers from their opponents. That keeps the OHS defense on the field for longer periods of time, which shows up late in the game.
>> MORE THAN IVAN: The Bronchos found out what happens when standout wide receiver Ivan Carreron is neutralized and they have to find a way to respond on offense. Sophomore running Jorge Valdez ran hard in the second half and scored twice, but the game was already out of reach.
— Lee Scheide
BRONCHOS BREAKDOWN
Opponents to Watch
QB NATHAN ALVAREZ: Is 54-of-83 passing for 468 yards and six touchdowns, with two interceptions.
RB LUTHER BEBLEY: Buffaloes’ top running back to help balance offense.
WR DONTA JEFFERSON: Top target for Alvarez who is capable of stretching the field.
NUMBERS GAME
3 — Number of touchdown receptions needed by Carreon to tie school’s career mark.
3 — Third home game of the season for the Bronchos (2-0 thus far).
3 — Number of games this season Bronchos’ backup quarterback Jayven Gonzales has been pressed into action.
SCHEDULE
August
26 Lub. Monterey W, 42-39 (OT)
September
1 El Paso Americas W, 49-20
8 Keller High L, 50-21
16 at Amarillo High L, 42-17
24 Schertz Clemens 4 p.m.
30 Bye
October
7 Permian 7 p.m.
14 at San Angelo Central 7 p.m.
21 Midland High 7 p.m.
28 Wolfforth Frenship 7 p.m.
November
4 at Midland Legacy 7 p.m.
OHS STARTERS
Offense
Quarterback
10 Jaylien Jones Sr.
Running back
8 Jorge Valdez Soph.
Wide receivers
1 Ivan Carreon Jr.
7 Kielan Green Sr.
88 Brendyn Thompson Soph.
Tight end
18 Blane Mendoza Sr.
Tackles
59 Santiago Garcia Jr
57 Jose Guerrero Sr.
Guards
62 Jonathan Dozal Sr.
70 Gerardo Vazquez Jr
Center
66 Damian Dominugez Jr.
Defense
Defensive ends
42 Marcos Marquez Sr.
53 Isaiah Essary Sr.
Defensive tackles
44 Jamikel Cobb Sr.
63 De’Mareon Gray Sr.
Linebackers
19 Jesus Carrasco Sr.
32 Mikahel De Leon Sr.
Cornerbacks
11 Zayne Minjarez Jr.
20 Adrian Muzquiz Sr.
Safeties
6 Jayven Gonzalez Jr.
17 Dreshon Douglas Jr.
25 Isaiah Munoz Soph.
Specialists
Place kicker
26 Aidric Rivera Jr.
Punter
1 Ivan Carreon Jr.
Head coach: Dusty Ortiz (5-9)
